John 16:22-28 continued, Today's verse: John 16:25

Today we continue our study of John 16:22-28 with a closer look at John 16:25.  The initial overview of John 16:22-28 can be found here.

 

The previous verse close ups can be found at the following links:   John 16:22, 16:23, and 16:24. 

 

 

John 16:25

 

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.  (John 16:25)

Grammatical Considerations

Declaration of time:  "I HAVE said these things..."  Jesus makes it clear that his use of parables (figures of speech, has been His way of teaching His disciples.  He is also about to tell them that this method will change.

Declaration of time 2:  "The hour is coming...I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech...but will tell you plainly about the Father."    In the future Jesus will NO LONGER speak in figures of speech.  He promises that.  He will begin to speak plainly (nothing hidden) to His disciples.

Important terms

All definitions were culled from the Complete Word Study Dictionary from AMG Publishers and/or

Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary.

          

figurative language:

• Definition----This word(s) (also figures of speech or proverbs in the KJV) is only found in this verse!!  No matter what version I look in!!!  Although according to The Complete Word Study Dictionary, John uses this synonymously with parable.  But  a parable tends to be more of a brief discourse where the fictitious is used to represent and illustrate the real.  This same word is used as proverb in 2Pe 2:22.  Either way it highlights how up to this point Jesus explained things to his apostles and others through parables as they were yet unready for it in plain language.  Jesus' parables were told to provide a vision of life, especially like in God's kingdom.  These parables were proclamations of the gospel.  The hearer must respond and is invited by the story to make a decision.

hour:

• Definition---Jesus often uses this word to describe a time as yet to come.  Usually with reference to His Glory or Second Coming.

plainly:

• ESword Concordance Search---John 16:29 
• Definition---exactness of speech
• Other cross references----John 16:12,  Mat 13:10-11,  Mat 13:34-35,  2Co 3:12-18,  Psa 78:2 

Summation

Jesus promises His Apostles (and us) that He will speak clearly and plainly to us about the Father. They were not ready for these things as Jesus had not yet come into His glory.  Once that was achieved all would be made clear to His apostles.  And the same is true for us.  Once we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord and understand the sacrifice He made for us and understand and believe His resurrection Jesus will speak plainly to us through His words and the Scriptures.

“Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved."