John 16:1-13

1 “I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away.

2 They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.

3 And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me.

4 But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.

“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you.

5 But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’

6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.

7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:

9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me;

10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer;

11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

John 16:20

20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.

John 16:26-27

26 In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf;

27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.

John 16:33

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” 

Main Idea

Jesus prepares His disciples for the world’s opposition and assures them of His ultimate victory. Between the warning and the victory, He reveals how believers can live as overcomers: through the Spirit’s help, enduring joy, confident prayer, and peace in Him.

Matthew 7:13-14

13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 

14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Romans 8:26-27

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 

27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 

Revelation 3:22

22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

1. What does Judas leaving “into the night” reveal about the spiritual consequences of choosing betrayal or secrecy?
2. Why does Jesus speak of being glorified immediately after Judas leaves, and what does this teach us about God working through painful circumstances?
3. When have you seen God bring purpose or redemption out of a dark moment in your own life?