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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 16:12 I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/16-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/43_Jhn_16_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 16:12 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit " /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad12.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/john/16-11.htm" title="John 16:11">◄</a> John 16:12 <a href="/john/16-13.htm" title="John 16:13">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/john/16.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/john/16.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/john/16.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/john/16.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/john/16.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/16.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Yet I have many things to say to you, but you are not able to bear them now.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/john/16.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/john/16.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear <i>them</i> now.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/john/16.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear <i>them</i> at the present time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/john/16.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/john/16.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear <i>them</i> now.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/john/16.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“I still have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear <i>them</i> now.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/john/16.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear [to hear] them now.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/john/16.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/john/16.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />&#8220I still have many things to tell you, but you can&#8217t bear them now.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/john/16.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/john/16.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I have much more to say to you, but right now it would be more than you could understand. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/john/16.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/john/16.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"I have a lot more to tell you, but that would be too much for you now.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/john/16.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"I have much more to tell you, but now it would be too much for you to bear. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/john/16.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"I still have a lot to say to you, but you cannot bear it now. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/john/16.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/john/16.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/john/16.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"I have yet many things to tell you, but you cannot bear them now.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/john/16.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />I have yet many things to say to you, but ye cannot bear them now.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/16.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"I have much more to say to you, but you are unable at present to bear the burden of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/john/16.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/john/16.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />I have yet many things to say to you, but you are not able to bear [them] now;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/16.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Yet I have many things to say to you, but you are not able to bear them now.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/john/16.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> I have yet many things to say to you, but ye are not able to bear them now;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/john/16.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />I have yet many things to say to you, but ye cannot bear them now.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/john/16.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />I have yet many things to say to you: but you cannot bear them now. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/john/16.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />I still have many things to say to you, but you are not able to bear them now.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/john/16.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/john/16.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/john/16.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Again, I have many other things to tell you, but you cannot grasp them now.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/16.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />“I have much to say to you, but you are not able to grasp it now.”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/john/16.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />I have yet many things to say to you; but you can not bear them now.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/john/16.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>I have many things to say to you, but you are not able to bear them now.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/john/16.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />I have many things to say to you, but ye cannot bear them just now.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/john/16.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />I have yet many things to tell you, but ye cannot bear them now;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/16.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"I have much more to say to you, but you are unable at present to bear the burden of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/john/16.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>"I have yet many things to say to you; but ye are not able to hear them now.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/john/16.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>I have yet many <Fr><i>things</i><FR> to say to you, but ye cannot bear <Fr><i>them</i><FR> now.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/john/16-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=5742" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/john/16.htm">The Promise of the Holy Spirit </a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">11</span>and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world has been condemned. <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/2089.htm" title="2089: Eti (Adv) -- (a) of time: still, yet, even now, (b) of degree: even, further, more, in addition. Perhaps akin to etos; yet, still."></a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echō (V-PIA-1S) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">I still have</a> <a href="/greek/4183.htm" title="4183: polla (Adj-ANP) -- Much, many; often. ">much</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legein (V-PNA) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">to tell</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymin (PPro-D2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you,</a> <a href="/greek/235.htm" title="235: all’ (Conj) -- But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.">but</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ou (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/1410.htm" title="1410: dynasthe (V-PIM/P-2P) -- (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.">you cannot</a> <a href="/greek/737.htm" title="737: arti (Adv) -- Now, just now, at this moment. Adverb from a derivative of airo through the idea of suspension; just now.">yet</a> <a href="/greek/941.htm" title="941: bastazein (V-PNA) -- Perhaps remotely derived from the base of basis; to lift, literally or figuratively.">bear to hear it.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">13</span>However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/14-26.htm">John 14:26</a></span><br />But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/15-15.htm">John 15:15</a></span><br />No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything I have learned from My Father I have made known to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-2.htm">1 Corinthians 3:2</a></span><br />I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for solid food. In fact, you are still not ready,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/5-12.htm">Hebrews 5:12-14</a></span><br />Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food! / For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness. / But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-43.htm">John 8:43</a></span><br />Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you are unable to accept My message.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-16.htm">John 12:16</a></span><br />At first His disciples did not understand these things, but after Jesus was glorified they remembered what had been done to Him, and they realized that these very things had also been written about Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/13-7.htm">John 13:7</a></span><br />Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/14-17.htm">John 14:17</a></span><br />the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/16-25.htm">John 16:25</a></span><br />I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. An hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you this way, but will tell you plainly about the Father.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/16-13.htm">John 16:13</a></span><br />However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/2-9.htm">1 Corinthians 2:9-10</a></span><br />Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” / But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/2-20.htm">1 John 2:20</a></span><br />You, however, have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/2-27.htm">1 John 2:27</a></span><br />And as for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But just as His true and genuine anointing teaches you about all things, so remain in Him as you have been taught.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/4-18.htm">Proverbs 4:18</a></span><br />The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/42-16.htm">Isaiah 42:16</a></span><br />I will lead the blind by a way they did not know; I will guide them on unfamiliar paths. I will turn darkness into light before them and rough places into level ground. These things I will do for them, and I will not forsake them.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.</p><p class="hdg">yet.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/14-30.htm">John 14:30</a></b></br> Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/15-15.htm">John 15:15</a></b></br> Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/1-3.htm">Acts 1:3</a></b></br> To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:</p><p class="hdg">ye.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/4-33.htm">Mark 4:33</a></b></br> And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear <i>it</i>.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/3-1.htm">1 Corinthians 3:1,2</a></b></br> And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, <i>even</i> as unto babes in Christ… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hebrews/5-11.htm">Hebrews 5:11-14</a></b></br> Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/15-5.htm">Able</a> <a href="/john/15-27.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/matthew/21-5.htm">Burden</a> <a href="/john/14-8.htm">Enough</a> <a href="/john/15-16.htm">Present</a> <a href="/john/11-38.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/john/12-39.htm">Unable</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/18-28.htm">Able</a> <a href="/john/16-21.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/acts/15-28.htm">Burden</a> <a href="/john/21-25.htm">Enough</a> <a href="/acts/1-15.htm">Present</a> <a href="/acts/2-2.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/john/21-6.htm">Unable</a><div class="vheading2">John 16</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/16-1.htm">Jesus comforts his disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit, and his ascension;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/16-23.htm">assures their prayers made in his name to be acceptable.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/16-33.htm">Peace in Jesus, and in the world affliction.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/16.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/16.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>I still have much to tell you</b><br>In this phrase, Jesus acknowledges that His teachings are not yet complete. This reflects the ongoing nature of divine revelation and the progressive understanding of God's will. The disciples, at this point, have been with Jesus for approximately three years, yet there remains much they need to learn. This is consistent with the biblical theme of gradual revelation, as seen throughout the Old Testament, where God reveals His plans and purposes progressively over time. The phrase also underscores the depth and richness of Jesus' teachings, which are inexhaustible and require time and spiritual maturity to fully comprehend.<p><b>but you cannot yet bear to hear it</b><br>Here, Jesus recognizes the limitations of the disciples' current spiritual and emotional state. The word "bear" suggests a burden or weight that they are not yet equipped to handle. This reflects the cultural and historical context of the disciples, who are still grappling with the concept of a suffering Messiah, contrary to the prevailing Jewish expectation of a conquering king. The disciples' inability to bear further revelation at this time is also indicative of their need for the Holy Spirit, who would later come to guide them into all truth (<a href="/john/16-13.htm">John 16:13</a>). This connects to the broader biblical narrative of human dependence on divine assistance to understand and live out God's will.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The speaker of this verse, Jesus is addressing His disciples during the Last Supper, preparing them for His departure and the coming of the Holy Spirit.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_disciples.htm">The Disciples</a></b><br>The immediate audience of Jesus' words, they are His closest followers who have been with Him throughout His ministry.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_last_supper.htm">The Last Supper</a></b><br>The setting of this discourse, where Jesus shares His final teachings and prepares His disciples for the events to come, including His crucifixion and resurrection.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/p/progressive_revelation.htm">Progressive Revelation</a></b><br>Jesus reveals truth progressively, understanding that His followers grow in their capacity to comprehend spiritual truths over time.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/dependence_on_the_holy_spirit.htm">Dependence on the Holy Spirit</a></b><br>Believers must rely on the Holy Spirit for understanding and guidance, as He reveals and clarifies the truths of God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_maturity.htm">Spiritual Maturity</a></b><br>Spiritual growth is necessary to grasp deeper truths. Believers should strive for maturity through prayer, study, and obedience.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/patience_in_learning.htm">Patience in Learning</a></b><br>Just as Jesus was patient with His disciples, believers should be patient with themselves and others in the journey of spiritual growth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/preparation_for_future_revelation.htm">Preparation for Future Revelation</a></b><br>Be open and prepared for God to reveal more of His truth as you grow in faith and understanding.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_16.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 16</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_doctrines_evolve_post-new_testament.htm">Why do some Christian doctrines (e.g., the Trinity) seem to develop after the New Testament era?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_do_accommodation_and_condescension_mean.htm">What do accommodation and condescension mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_2_tim_4_3-4_conflict_with_gradual_truth.htm">In 2 Timothy 4:3–4, does the warning about people turning away from truth conflict with other biblical passages where truth is revealed more gradually? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_keep_secrets_from_us.htm">(Deut 29:29) Why would a just and loving God keep “secret things” hidden, leaving His followers in uncertainty?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/16.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) <span class= "bld">I have yet many things to say unto you.</span>--The "many things" are defined by the next verse to be things with regard to which the Spirit of Truth shall be their guide--<span class= "ital">i.e.,</span> they are parts of the revelation which the minds of the disciples are not yet fitted to receive.<p><span class= "bld">Ye cannot bear them now.</span>--Comp. <a href="/john/15-15.htm" title="From now on I call you not servants; for the servant knows not what his lord does: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known to you.">John 15:15</a>. The statements are not opposed to each other. On His side there is the readiness to impart to them as friends all things that He had heard from the Father. But revelation can only be made to the mind which can accept it; and for those who have only in part understood what He has told them there are many things which cannot now be borne.<p>Of what the "many things" were, we have only this general knowledge. They would include, doubtless, the doctrinal system of the early Church, and they would not exclude all the lessons which the spirit of God has taught the Church in every age.<p>The fact that there were truths which Christ Himself could not teach is a lesson which men who profess to teach in Christ's name have too seldom learnt. St. Paul found in it a rule for his own practice. He, too, fed men with milk because they could not bear meat. (Comp. Note on <a href="/1_corinthians/3-3.htm" title="For you are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are you not carnal, and walk as men?">1Corinthians 3:3</a>.) It is true, indeed, that no one can teach who does not possess a higher knowledge than that of his pupil; but it is no less true that no one can really teach who does not take the lower ground of his pupil's knowledge, and from that lead him to his own. Truths which the cultured mind accepts as obvious would appear no less so to the peasant if he were carefully taught them. Too often the weaker brother finds a stumbling-block in the very steps which should lead him to a higher truth, because he approaches them blindly, and without a guide. For the breach which exists between the higher Christian thought of our day and the faith of the masses of the people, Christian teachers are in no small degree responsible, and the only means by which the chasm may be bridged is to teach Christ's truths as He Himself taught them.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/16.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 12-15.</span> - (b) <span class="accented">The power of the Paraclete on the disciples themselves</span>. From the twelfth to the fifteenth verse the relation of the Paraclete to the disciples themselves makes yet more evident the expediency of the glorification of the Son of man, and demonstrates the authority of the apostolic teaching. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - Notwithstanding the abundance of the revelations which Christ had given, still, said he, <span class="cmt_word">I have many things yet to tell you, but ye cannot bear them now</span> (<span class="greek">ἄρτι</span>); <span class="accented">i.e.</span> at this epoch of your training. Christ (<a href="/john/14-18.htm">John 14:18</a>, etc., in a passage which he proceeds to enlarge and deepen) has already said that the coming to them of the Paraclete would be one method of his own Divine approach to them for purposes of consolation and instruction; consequently he does not now allow them to suppose that, though separated from them by death, he would ever cease to instruct them. They could not in their present condition, and before the great events should have happened - events on which so much revealing fact would turn - bear the revelation of these "many things." Pentecost will enable them to appreciate the full mystery of love. The word used for "bear" is that which is used (<a href="/john/19-17.htm">John 19:17</a>) to describe the bearing of the cross by Christ himself. Some have found in these "many things" new articles of doctrine which have been preserved by tradition; and others, a development of truths already presented in germ; and others, again, much of the future order of the world and the Church, such as gradually evolved itself to the vision and insight and spiritual wisdom of apostolic men. But they could not, on the eve of the Passion, have borne the full mystery of the atonement, or sufficiently have comprehended the glory of the enthroned King. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/john/16-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">I still have</span><br /><span class="grk">ἔχω</span> <span class="translit">(echō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> </span><span class="str2">To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">much</span><br /><span class="grk">πολλὰ</span> <span class="translit">(polla)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4183.htm">Strong's 4183: </a> </span><span class="str2">Much, many; often. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">to tell</span><br /><span class="grk">λέγειν</span> <span class="translit">(legein)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Infinitive Active<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">you,</span><br /><span class="grk">ὑμῖν</span> <span class="translit">(hymin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀλλ’</span> <span class="translit">(all’)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_235.htm">Strong's 235: </a> </span><span class="str2">But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you cannot</span><br /><span class="grk">δύνασθε</span> <span class="translit">(dynasthe)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1410.htm">Strong's 1410: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">yet</span><br /><span class="grk">ἄρτι</span> <span class="translit">(arti)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_737.htm">Strong's 737: </a> </span><span class="str2">Now, just now, at this moment. Adverb from a derivative of airo through the idea of suspension; just now.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">bear [to hear it].</span><br /><span class="grk">βαστάζειν</span> <span class="translit">(bastazein)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Infinitive Active<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_941.htm">Strong's 941: </a> </span><span class="str2">Perhaps remotely derived from the base of basis; to lift, literally or figuratively.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/16-12.htm">John 16:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/john/16-12.htm">John 16:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/john/16-12.htm">John 16:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/john/16-12.htm">John 16:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/john/16-12.htm">John 16:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/john/16-12.htm">John 16:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/16-12.htm">John 16:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/16-12.htm">John 16:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/john/16-12.htm">John 16:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/john/16-12.htm">John 16:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/john/16-12.htm">NT Gospels: John 16:12 I have yet many things to tell (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/16-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 16:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 16:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/16-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 16:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 16:13" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>