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John 16:1

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 16:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be caused to stumble.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be caused to stumble.
John 16:1 — American Standard Version

Context — John 16

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be caused to stumble.
2They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you shall think that he offereth service unto God.
3And these things will they do, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
4But these things have I spoken unto you, that when their hour is come, ye may remember them, how that I told you. And these things I said not unto you from the beginning, because I was with you.
← John 15:27John 16:2 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“These things have I spoken unto you, etc.] Concerning the world’s hatred and persecution of them, and the little regard they would show to their doctrine: these things Christ thought, proper to give them notice of before hand, that expecting them, they might be prepared for them, and be fortified against them; that, says he, ye should not be offended: his view in speaking of them, was not to discourage them, but to prevent their stumbling at them, and falling by them. Hardships coming upon persons at unawares, bear the harder upon their spirits, and they are more apt to take offence at them and be impatient under them, which is prevented by previous intimation: had Christ said nothing of…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“DISCOURSE AT THE SUPPER TABLE CONCLUDED. (John 16:1-33) These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended--both the warnings and the encouragements just given.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“These things - The things spoken in the two previous chapters, promising them divine aid and directing them in the path of duty. Be offended - For the meaning of the word offend, see the notes at Matthew 5:29. It means here the same as to stumble or fall - that is, to apostatize. He proceeds immediately to tell them, what he had often apprised them of, that they would be subject to great persecutions and trials. He was also himself about to be removed by death. They were to go into an unfriendly world. All these things were in themselves greatly fitted to shake their faith, and to expose them to the danger of apostasy. Compare Luke 24:21. If they had not been apprised of this, if they had…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“16:1-2 Jesus had outlined the coming conflicts (15:18-25) so that the disciples would not abandon their faith (literally be caused to stumble). The greatest obstacle his disciples would face was to stumble and renounce their faith before their opponents (see Matt 23:34; Luke 6:22), especially during the dark days ahead (see John 12:35; 1 Jn 2:9-11).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Joh 16:4, Joh 15:11; Mat 11:6, Mat 13:21, Mat 13:57, Mat 24:10, Mat 26:31-33; Rom 14:21; Phi 1:10; Pe1 2:8 John 16:2”
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Related study paths

Read John 16 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification