What does John 16:5 mean?
Explanation
John 16:5 is part of a larger discourse that Jesus is having with His disciples shortly before His crucifixion.
In this verse, Jesus is addressing His impending departure from the world, which is His return to the Father in heaven after completing His work on earth.
The phrase "But now I go my way to him that sent me" indicates Jesus' resignation to His fate and His obedience to God's plan for salvation.
Despite Jesus having clearly explained His departure to the disciples throughout His ministry, none of the disciples at this point is asking "Whither goest thou?" or "Where are You going?" It appears they are either confused, afraid, or saddened to the point that they cannot articulate their concern about Jesus' forthcoming absence.
Top Rated John Books
Historical Context
The Gospel of John was written in a period when the early Christian community was reflecting deeply on the significance of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.
John's Gospel is unique among the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) in its focus on the theological aspects of Jesus’ life.
John 16 falls within the "Farewell Discourse" chapters (John 14-17), where Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure and offers comfort and instruction concerning the coming of the Holy Spirit.
This context is reflective of a period during which Christians were facing persecution and needed assurance of Christ's continual presence with them through the Spirit despite His physical absence.
Theological Insights
John 16:5 brings the concept of the Trinity to the fore. The sending of the Son by the Father is a recurring theme in John.
This verse illustrates the obedience of the Son to the Father, His clarity of purpose, and the fulfillment of prophecy (both His own, and those of the Old Testament).
Moreover, the lack of a question from the disciples about Jesus' destination underscores a theological teaching about human ignorance and fear, and the need for divine guidance (which Jesus addresses by promising the Holy Spirit).
Theologically, the absence of the disciples' question can also be read as a lack of understanding or awareness of the spiritual necessity of Jesus' departure, which is meant to make way for the Holy Spirit's arrival, an event that will empower them and enable the church's mission.
Practical Applications
In a practical sense, this verse invites believers to trust in God's plan even when their understanding is incomplete. It urges Christians to ask questions in their relationship with God, to seek comprehension and to not be paralyzed by fear or sorrow.
It is a call to embrace the presence of God in the form of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ absence. For those facing loss or transition, it can be a reminder that such moments can herald the beginning of something new and the promise of continual, albeit different, presence.
Cross-References
- John 14:28: "Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you.
If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I."
- John 7:33: "Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me."
- John 17:11: "And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee.
Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are."
- Acts 1:9-11: "And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight."
Language Study
The key phrases in the original Greek text are worth examining:
- "εγώ" (egō) meaning "I" denotes the subject as being Jesus Himself.
- "ὑπάγω" (hypagō) can be translated as "I go" or "I am going".
It suggests deliberate and directed movement.
- "πρὸς τὸν πέμψαντά" (pros ton pempsanta) refers to "to him who sent me", which acknowledges the Father's initiative in Jesus' mission.
- "πέμψαντά" (pempsanta) is the aorist participle of "to send", indicating the one who had sent Jesus in the past with lasting results.
Understanding these nuances provides a clearer picture of Jesus as an obedient servant who acknowledges the origin and authority of His mission.
Cultural and Religious Comparisons
In the ancient Near East, the concept of a divine being or a representative of the gods who descends to earth and later returns to the heavens is not uncommon.
Similar motifs can be found in other religions and mythologies, such as the ancient Greek myth of Heracles, who ascends to Olympus after completing his labors, or the ascension of the prophet Elijah in the Hebrew Bible (2 Kings 2:11).
Despite these similarities, the Christian narrative centers on the uniqueness of Jesus' mission to bring salvation to mankind and later the sending of the Holy Spirit.
Scientific Perspectives
From a scientific perspective, discussions about biblical verses like John 16:5 generally center on the philosophical or metaphysical rather than the empirical.
Science does not investigate supernatural claims of ascension or divine missions due to the lack of empirical evidence to support such events.
Instead, within these discussions, science might provide insights into the psychological state of the disciples, understanding grief and loss, and the human need for hope and comfort in moments of transition.
Commentaries
Numerous biblical scholars and theologians have commented on John 16:5.
Many focus on the mixed emotions the disciples would be experiencing - the sorrow of impending separation from Jesus and confusion about what His departure would mean for them.
Others discuss the fulfillment of prophecy and the necessity of the crucifixion and resurrection for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Some highlight the reassurance found in Jesus' teachings about the Advocate or Comforter who would come after Him, underlining that while Jesus tells the disciples of His going, He also focuses on what is to come: the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Commentators often use this verse to emphasize the importance of direct communication with Christ and the need to seek understanding and guidance from God.