Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. New Living Translation “I have spoken of these matters in figures of speech, but soon I will stop speaking figuratively and will tell you plainly all about the Father. English Standard Version “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. Berean Standard Bible I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. An hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you this way, but will tell you plainly about the Father. Berean Literal Bible I have spoken these things to you in allegories; an hour is coming when I will speak to you no more in allegories, but I will report to you plainly concerning the Father. King James Bible These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father. New King James Version “These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. New American Standard Bible “These things I have spoken to you in figures of speech; an hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech, but will tell you plainly about the Father. NASB 1995 “These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; an hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but will tell you plainly of the Father. NASB 1977 “These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; an hour is coming when I will speak no more to you in figurative language, but will tell you plainly of the Father. Legacy Standard Bible “These things I have spoken to you in figures of speech; an hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech, but will tell you openly of the Father. Amplified Bible “I have told you these things in figurative language (veiled language, proverbs); the hour is now coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. Christian Standard Bible “I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. A time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. Holman Christian Standard Bible “I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. A time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. American Standard Version These things have I spoken unto you in dark sayings: the hour cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in dark sayings, but shall tell you plainly of the Father. Contemporary English Version I have used examples to explain to you what I have been talking about. But the time will come when I will speak to you plainly about the Father and will no longer use examples like these. English Revised Version These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: the hour cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but shall tell you plainly of the Father. GOD'S WORD® Translation "I have used examples to illustrate these things. The time is coming when I won't use examples to speak to you. Rather, I will speak to you about the Father in plain words. Good News Translation "I have used figures of speech to tell you these things. But the time will come when I will not use figures of speech, but will speak to you plainly about the Father. International Standard Version "I have said these things to you in figurative language. The time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but will tell you plainly about the Father. NET Bible "I have told you these things in obscure figures of speech; a time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in obscure figures, but will tell you plainly about the Father. New Heart English Bible I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no more speak to you in figures of speech, but will tell you plainly about the Father. Webster's Bible Translation These things have I spoken to you in proverbs: but the time cometh when I shall no more speak to you in proverbs, but I shall show you plainly concerning the Father. Weymouth New Testament "All this I have spoken to you in veiled language. The time is coming when I shall no longer speak to you in veiled language, but will tell you about the Father in plain words. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleI have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. But an hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you this way, but will tell you plainly about the Father. World English Bible “I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. But the time is coming when I will no more speak to you in figures of speech, but will tell you plainly about the Father. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionI have spoken these things in allegories to you, but there comes an hour when I will no longer speak to you in allegories, but will tell you freely of the Father. Berean Literal Bible I have spoken these things to you in allegories; an hour is coming when I will speak to you no more in allegories, but I will report to you plainly concerning the Father. Young's Literal Translation 'These things in similitudes I have spoken to you, but there cometh an hour when no more in similitudes will I speak to you, but freely of the Father, will tell you. Smith's Literal Translation These have I spoken to you in proverbs: but the hour comes, when I shall no more speak to you in proverbs, but with freedom of speech will I announce to you of the Father. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThese things I have spoken to you in proverbs. The hour cometh, when I will no more speak to you in proverbs, but will shew you plainly of the Father. Catholic Public Domain Version I have spoken these things to you in proverbs. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in proverbs; instead, I will announce to you plainly from the Father. New American Bible “I have told you this in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures but I will tell you clearly about the Father. New Revised Standard Version “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but will tell you plainly of the Father. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleI have spoken these things in figures; but the time is coming, when I will not speak to you in figures, but will plainly explain to you concerning the Father. Aramaic Bible in Plain English “I have spoken these things in parables with you, but the hour is coming when I shall speak with you, not in parables, but I shall declare to you about The Father plainly.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentThese things I have spoken to you in parables; the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in parables, but will teach you plainly concerning the Father. Godbey New Testament Haweis New Testament These things have I spoken to you in parables: but the hour is coming when I will no more speak to you in parables, but will plainly inform you respecting the Father. Mace New Testament These things have I express'd in a figurative way: the time is coming when my language will be no longer enigmatical, but I shall give you a plain account relating to my father. Weymouth New Testament "All this I have spoken to you in veiled language. The time is coming when I shall no longer speak to you in veiled language, but will tell you about the Father in plain words. Worrell New Testament Worsley New Testament Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Ask and You will Receive…24Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. 25I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. An hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you this way, but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26In that day you will ask in My name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf.… Cross References John 16:29-30 His disciples said, “See, now You are speaking plainly and without figures of speech. / Now we understand that You know all things and that You have no need for anyone to question You. Because of this, we believe that You came from God.” John 14:25-26 All this I have spoken to you while I am still with you. / But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you. John 15:15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything I have learned from My Father I have made known to you. John 10:6 Jesus spoke to them using this illustration, but they did not understand what He was telling them. John 12:16 At first His disciples did not understand these things, but after Jesus was glorified they remembered what had been done to Him, and they realized that these very things had also been written about Him. John 13:7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” Matthew 13:34-35 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowds in parables. He did not tell them anything without using a parable. / So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world.” Matthew 13:10-11 Then the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why do You speak to the people in parables?” / He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Mark 4:33-34 With many such parables Jesus spoke the word to them, to the extent that they could understand. / He did not tell them anything without using a parable. But privately He explained everything to His own disciples. Luke 8:10 He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’ 1 Corinthians 2:7-10 No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began. / None of the rulers of this age understood it. For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. / Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” ... Colossians 1:26-27 the mystery that was hidden for ages and generations but is now revealed to His saints. / To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Hebrews 1:1-2 On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. / But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. Proverbs 1:6 by understanding the proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. Isaiah 6:9-10 And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.” Treasury of Scripture These things have I spoken to you in proverbs: but the time comes, when I shall no more speak to you in proverbs, but I shall show you plainly of the Father. proverbs. John 16:12,16,17 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now… Psalm 49:4 I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp. Psalm 78:2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: but. John 16:28,29 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father… Acts 2:33-36 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear… 2 Corinthians 3:12-18 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: … Jump to Previous Allegories Clearly Dark Declare Figurative Figures Hour Kind Language Plain Plainly Proverbs Sayings Shew Show Similitudes Speak Speaking Speech Time Use Veiled WordsJump to Next Allegories Clearly Dark Declare Figurative Figures Hour Kind Language Plain Plainly Proverbs Sayings Shew Show Similitudes Speak Speaking Speech Time Use Veiled WordsJohn 16 1. Jesus comforts his disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit, and his ascension;23. assures their prayers made in his name to be acceptable. 33. Peace in Jesus, and in the world affliction. I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. Jesus often used parables and metaphors to convey deeper spiritual truths. This method was common in Jewish teaching, allowing listeners to engage with the message on multiple levels. The use of figures of speech can be seen throughout the Gospels, such as in the parables of the sower (Matthew 13:3-9) and the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). These stories were designed to reveal truths to those who were spiritually receptive while concealing them from those who were not. This approach fulfilled the prophecy in Isaiah 6:9-10 about people hearing but not understanding. An hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you this way, but will tell you plainly about the Father. Persons / Places / Events 1. Jesus ChristThe speaker of this verse, Jesus is preparing His disciples for His departure and the coming of the Holy Spirit. 2. The Disciples The immediate audience of Jesus' teaching, they are being prepared for a deeper understanding of spiritual truths. 3. The Father God the Father, whom Jesus will reveal more plainly to the disciples. 4. Figures of Speech Refers to the parables and metaphors Jesus used to convey spiritual truths. 5. The Coming Time Refers to the period after Jesus' resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit, when the disciples will gain clearer understanding. Teaching Points Understanding Through the SpiritThe Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in illuminating the truths of God. Believers should seek the Spirit's guidance for deeper understanding. Transition from Parables to Plain Speech Jesus' use of parables was intentional, designed to reveal truths to those ready to receive them. As believers mature, they should expect to understand God's truths more clearly. The Role of Scripture in Revelation Scripture is the primary means through which God reveals Himself. Regular study and meditation on the Word are essential for spiritual growth. The Importance of Spiritual Maturity Just as the disciples grew in their understanding, believers are called to mature in their faith, moving from basic teachings to deeper truths. Anticipation of Full Revelation While we may not understand everything now, there is a promise of full revelation in God's timing. This should encourage patience and perseverance in faith. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from John 16Do biblical figures have last names? What does the Bible say about prayer and fasting? How could Abraham father additional children at such an advanced age (Genesis 25:1-6)? What was the manner of Jesus' death?(25) These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs.--Better, as in the margin, . . . in parables. So in the second clause of the verse and in John 16:29. (Comp. Note on John 10:6.) "These things" refers specially to what He had just said from John 16:16 onwards. There is a sense in which it is necessarily true of all Christ's teaching, and of all teaching in words. They are but parables until the truth which they contain has been thought out by the man that hears them. For the disciples much of Christ's teaching remained in a parabolic form, until the Spirit brought all things which He had said to the mind, and quickened their minds so that they could grasp its meaning. (Comp. e.g., John 2:20-22.) But the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs.--For "proverbs," read parables, as in last verse. For the time referred to, comp. John 16:16; John 16:23. In that time He will be present with them in the Advocate, and will no longer need parables or words, but will, to the depth of their spirit, communicate to them in all fulness and plainness the eternal truth of the Father (John 16:13 et seq.). . . . Verses 25-33. - (d) The final conviction wrought that Jesus was what he had said that he was. The joy of Christ, with its note of warning. Verse 25. - These things I have spoken to you in proverbs (see John 10:6); i.e. in concentrated and to some extent enigmatical utterances, "in dark sayings upon a harp," in words which subsequent events and higher enlightenment would interpret (cf. here Christ's distinction between his disciples and the multitude in the matter of parables, Matthew 13.). He used the parable to the stupefied, that they might thus separate between those who were susceptible to his teaching and those who were not. To his disciples he interpreted his parables, still leaving much which might be regarded as παροιμίαι, condensed word-utterances, in which words stood for higher things than in their ordinary usage. Thus the similitudes adopted throughout John 9, 10, 11, 12-16, are numerous, intended to draw the disciples on from their ordinary ideas to the heights of his thought and the mystery of his Person. The ἀλλ is omitted by modern editors. The hour cometh - the great climacteric period of my revelation - when I shall no longer speak to you in proverbs, when, indeed, the sound of my voice will be hushed, and words will no longer be needed, when Divine spirations and heavenly pulsations shall convey to you what my parabolic teaching and my paroimic interpretations have failed to impart, when I shall be with you and in you, and by the energy of the Paraclete I shall declare (to you) plainly, with clearness and openness, in the fullness of spiritual light, without reserve, circumlocution, or parable, concerning the Father. This promise declares that the glorious revelations of Pentecost and the teaching of those who received the Holy Ghost will be verily and indeed our Lord Christ's own most personal and frank and outspoken revelations of the Father;Parallel Commentaries ... Greek I have spokenλελάληκα (lelalēka) Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular Strong's 2980: A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words. these things Ταῦτα (Tauta) Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it. to you ὑμῖν (hymin) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. in ἐν (en) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. figures of speech. παροιμίαις (paroimiais) Noun - Dative Feminine Plural Strong's 3942: A cryptic saying, an allegory; a proverb, figurative discourse. A time ὥρα (hōra) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 5610: Apparently a primary word; an 'hour'. is coming ἔρχεται (erchetai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 2064: To come, go. when ὅτε (hote) Adverb Strong's 3753: When, at which time. From hos and te; at which too, i.e. When. I will no longer speak λαλήσω (lalēsō) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular Strong's 2980: A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words. to you ὑμῖν (hymin) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. [this way], παροιμίαις (paroimiais) Noun - Dative Feminine Plural Strong's 3942: A cryptic saying, an allegory; a proverb, figurative discourse. but ἀλλὰ (alla) Conjunction Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise. will tell ἀπαγγελῶ (apangelō) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular Strong's 518: To report (from one place to another), bring a report, announce, declare. From apo and the base of aggelos; to announce. you ὑμῖν (hymin) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. plainly παρρησίᾳ (parrēsia) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular Strong's 3954: From pas and a derivative of rheo; all out-spokenness, i.e. Frankness, bluntness, publicity; by implication, assurance. about περὶ (peri) Preposition Strong's 4012: From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time. the τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Father. Πατρὸς (Patros) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 3962: Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'. Links John 16:25 NIVJohn 16:25 NLT John 16:25 ESV John 16:25 NASB John 16:25 KJV John 16:25 BibleApps.com John 16:25 Biblia Paralela John 16:25 Chinese Bible John 16:25 French Bible John 16:25 Catholic Bible NT Gospels: John 16:25 I have spoken these things to you (Jhn Jo Jn) |
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