John 16:6
But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
Original Language Analysis
ἀλλ'
But
G235
ἀλλ'
But
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
1 of 11
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ὅτι
because
G3754
ὅτι
because
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
2 of 11
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 11
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πεπλήρωκεν
hath filled
G4137
πεπλήρωκεν
hath filled
Strong's:
G4137
Word #:
8 of 11
to make replete, i.e., (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute
Cross References
John 14:1Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.Luke 24:17And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?Luke 22:45And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,
Historical Context
The disciples faced the unthinkable: their Messiah announcing His imminent departure after only three years of ministry. For Jews expecting a conquering Davidic king to restore Israel's kingdom, Jesus's talk of 'going away' contradicted all messianic expectations. Their grief was compounded by confusion, fear, and the collapse of their political and eschatological hopes.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'losses' in your spiritual life might actually be divine preparations for something better?
- How does your grief over circumstances sometimes prevent you from seeing God's larger purposes?
- In what ways is the Holy Spirit's indwelling presence 'better' than Jesus's physical presence would be?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Sorrow hath filled your heart (ἡ λύπη πεπλήρωκεν ὑμῶν τὴν καρδίαν, hē lypē peplērōken hymōn tēn kardian)—the perfect tense of plēroō (to fill) indicates a completed state: grief has completely saturated their hearts. The word lypē denotes pain, grief, and sorrow. Jesus diagnoses their condition with pastoral precision before offering the remedy (verse 7's promise of the Spirit).
The disciples' sorrow, while understandable, revealed their limited perspective. They mourned Jesus's departure without yet grasping that His 'going away' was necessary for the Spirit's coming (verse 7). Human grief, even over seemingly spiritual losses, can blind us to divine necessity. Christ's gentleness here is remarkable—He doesn't rebuke their sorrow, but seeks to transform it through fuller understanding of His purposes.