BibleWord.ai› Bible› John› Chapter 16› Verse 7

John 16:7

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 16:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I go, I will send him unto you.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I go, I will send him unto you.
John 16:7 — American Standard Version

Context — John 16

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
5But now I go unto him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?
6But because I have spoken these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
7Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I go, I will send him unto you.
8And he, when he is come, will convict the world in respect of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9of sin, because they believe not on me;
10of righteousness, because I go to the Father, and ye behold me no more;
← John 16:6John 16:8 →
← Full Chapter 16 John Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth, etc.] Christ was truth itself, and could say nothing else; but he makes use of this way of speaking, to raise the attention of his disciples, and to engage their belief of what he was about to say, and of which they were not easily persuaded; which was, that however overwhelmed they were with grief and sorrow, because of his going away from them, a greater truth he could not tell them, than that this would be to their real good and advantage: it is expedient for you that I go away; Christ’s death here, as in many other places in these discourses of his, is signified by going away, a departure, taking a sort of a journey, such an one as indeed is common to…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“It is expedient for you that I go away-- My Saviour, can it ever be That I should gain by losing thee? KEBLE. Yes. for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you, but if I depart, I will send him unto you--(See on Joh 7:39; Joh 14:15).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“It is expedient for you ... - The reason why it was expedient for them that he should go away, he states to be, that in this way only would the Comforter be granted to them. Still, it may be asked why the presence of the Holy Spirit was more valuable to them than that of the Saviour himself? To this it may be answered: 1. That by his departure, his death, and ascension - by having these great facts before their eyes they would be led by the Holy Spirit to see more fully the design of his coming than they would by his presence. While he was with them, notwithstanding the plainest teaching, their minds were filled with prejudice and error. They still adhered to the expectation of a temporal…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“It is expedient for you - In respect of the Comforter, Joh 16:7, &c, and of me, Joh 16:16, &c, and of the Father, Joh 16:23, &c. John 16:8”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“16:7 the Advocate: The Spirit was a gift awaiting Jesus’ departure and glorification (7:37-39; 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:12-14).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I tell: Joh 8:45, Joh 8:46; Luk 4:25, Luk 9:27; Act 10:34 It: Joh 11:50-52, Joh 14:3, Joh 14:28; Rom 8:28; Co2 4:17 the Comforter: Joh 7:39, Joh 14:16, Joh 14:17, Joh 14:26, Joh 15:26 but: Psa 68:18; Luk 24:49; Act 1:4, Act 1:5, Act 2:33; Eph 4:8-13 John 16:8”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

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

Sources and verification