Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you.
Parallel translations
- WEB But because I have told you these things, sorrow has filled your heart.
- KJV But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
- BSB Instead, your hearts are filled with sorrow because I have told you these things.
- NKJV But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.
- NASB But because I have said these things to you, grief has filled your heart.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Because Jesus has told them these things, sorrow has filled the disciples' hearts. They feel only the pain of His coming departure.
Overview
The disciples respond to Jesus' announcement of His departure with deep grief, unable yet to see the blessing beyond it. Their sorrow is understandable but incomplete, focused on loss rather than on the gift to come. Jesus will gently redirect them to the advantage of His going and the joy that lies ahead.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- Luke 24:17He said to them, “What are you talking about as you walk, and are sad?”
- John 20:11–15But Mary was standing outside at the tomb weeping. So, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb,
- John 16:20–22Most certainly I tell you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.
- John 14:27–28Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.
- Luke 22:45When he rose up from his prayer, he came to the disciples, and found them sleeping because of grief,
- John 14:1“Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
John declares him plainly: the eternal Word made flesh, the Lamb of God, the great 'I AM' — bread, light, door, shepherd, way, truth, life, resurrection — that you may believe and have life in his name.
How John 16:6 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.