John 16:4
But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
Original Language Analysis
ἀλλὰ
But
G235
ἀλλὰ
But
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
1 of 26
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ὅταν
when
G3752
ὅταν
when
Strong's:
G3752
Word #:
6 of 26
whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as
ἔλθῃ
shall come
G2064
ἔλθῃ
shall come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
7 of 26
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μνημονεύητε
ye may remember
G3421
μνημονεύητε
ye may remember
Strong's:
G3421
Word #:
10 of 26
to exercise memory, i.e., recollect; by implication, to punish; also to rehearse
αὐτῶν
of them
G846
αὐτῶν
of them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 26
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὅτι
because
G3754
ὅτι
because
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
12 of 26
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἐξ
at
G1537
ἐξ
at
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
19 of 26
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
ἀρχῆς
the beginning
G746
ἀρχῆς
the beginning
Strong's:
G746
Word #:
20 of 26
(properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank)
ὅτι
because
G3754
ὅτι
because
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
23 of 26
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
Cross References
John 14:29And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.Mark 13:23But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.John 13:19Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.Matthew 9:15And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.Mark 2:19And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.Matthew 24:25Behold, I have told you before.Acts 9:16For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.2 Peter 1:14Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.Matthew 10:7And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Historical Context
Jesus spoke this in the Upper Room, likely between 6-9 PM on Thursday of Passion Week. Within 12 hours, He would be arrested; within 24, crucified. The disciples couldn't yet 'bear' (verse 12) the full weight of what awaited both Christ and themselves. His gradual disclosure demonstrates divine wisdom in teaching—revealing truth according to the learner's readiness.
Questions for Reflection
- How has God's Word proven trustworthy when you've faced trials He warned you about?
- What 'times' or seasons of difficulty might Jesus be preparing you for through His current teaching in your life?
- How does Christ's progressive revelation to His disciples inform how you should teach or disciple others?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
When the time shall come, ye may remember (ὅταν ἔλθῃ ἡ ὥρα αὐτῶν μνημονεύητε, hotan elthē hē hōra autōn mnēmoneuēte)—the verb mnēmoneuō (to remember, recall) is subjunctive, suggesting purpose: Jesus spoke these warnings so that when persecution arrived, disciples would remember His words and find their faith strengthened rather than shaken. Fulfilled prophecy becomes proof of Christ's deity and care.
I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you—during Jesus's earthly ministry, His presence provided protection and teaching. But now, preparing them for His physical absence, Jesus must equip them for the hostile world they'll face. The pedagogy of Christ: progressive revelation matched to the disciples' capacity and circumstances. What was unnecessary while He walked beside them becomes essential before His departure.