Jesus Brings Peace in a Troubled World (John 16:5-33)
In John 16:5–33, Jesus is having an emotional conversation with His disciples. He knows He’s about to be arrested and taken to the cross, and He’s preparing them for what’s coming. His words are full of truth, comfort, and hope.
Let’s look at three big things Jesus shares in this passage—and what they mean for us today.
Jesus Had to Leave So the Holy Spirit Could Come
Jesus says:
“Now I am going to him who sent me…” (v. 5)
“Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” (v. 7)
The disciples were sad because Jesus was talking about leaving. But He reassures them that this is not the end—in fact, it’s part of God’s bigger plan. When Jesus returns to the Father, He will send the Holy Spirit (the “Advocate”) to be with them.
This means that even though they won’t see Jesus with their eyes anymore, God’s presence will still be with them—inside their hearts.
The Holy Spirit Will Help Us Understand and Stay Strong
Jesus says the Holy Spirit will:
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Show people what’s right and wrong
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Teach them the truth
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Remind them of Jesus’ words
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Help them follow God even when it’s hard
“When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” (v. 13)
We don’t have to figure out life on our own. The Holy Spirit is like a teacher, a guide, and a helper who gives us wisdom, peace, and strength.
Sorrow Will Turn Into Joy
The disciples are confused and worried. Jesus tells them:
“You will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.” (v. 20)
He compares it to a woman giving birth: the pain is real, but once the baby is born, joy takes over. In the same way, the sadness of Jesus’ death will be replaced by the joy of His resurrection.
This reminds us that God can turn our deepest pain into lasting joy. It might not happen right away, but Jesus promises it will come.
We Can Have Peace in Him
Jesus ends this part of the conversation with one of the most powerful promises in the Bible:
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (v. 33)
Jesus doesn’t hide the truth—life can be hard. But He also gives hope: He has already won. His victory over sin and death means we can have peace, even when life feels uncertain.
What This Means for Us Today
This chapter may be over 2,000 years old, but its message is still true and needed today. Here’s what Jesus wants us to know:
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You are never alone. The Holy Spirit is with you.
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God can turn your pain into joy. Even when you don’t see how.
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Peace is possible, even in the middle of trouble. Because Jesus has already overcome the world.
Final Thought
Jesus knows what it’s like to face fear, sadness, and uncertainty. He faced all of it for us—and He promises to walk with us through every moment of life. When things are hard, remember His words:
“Take heart! I have overcome the world.”
That’s the kind of peace that nothing can take away.
John 16:5-33 (WEB)
16:5 But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 But because I have told you these things, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I don’t go away, the Counselor won’t come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he has come, he will convict the world about sin, about righteousness, and about judgment; 9 about sin, because they don’t believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to my Father, and you won’t see me any more; 11 about judgment, because the prince of this world has been judged.12 “I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now. 13 However, when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak from himself; but whatever he hears, he will speak. He will declare to you things that are coming. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take from what is mine and will declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are mine; therefore I said that he takes of mine and will declare it to you.16 “A little while, and you will not see me. Again a little while, and you will see me.”17 Some of his disciples therefore said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you won’t see me, and again a little while, and you will see me;’ and, ‘Because I go to the Father’?” 18 They said therefore, “What is this that he says, ‘A little while’? We don’t know what he is saying.”19 Therefore Jesus perceived that they wanted to ask him, and he said to them, “Do you inquire among yourselves concerning this, that I said, ‘A little while, and you won’t see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’? 20 Most certainly I tell you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. 21 A woman, when she gives birth, has sorrow because her time has come. But when she has delivered the child, she doesn’t remember the anguish any more, for the joy that a human being is born into the world. 22 Therefore you now have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.23 “In that day you will ask me no questions. Most certainly I tell you, whatever you may ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full.25 “I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. But the time is coming when I will no more speak to you in figures of speech, but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name; and I don’t say to you that I will pray to the Father for you, 27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.”29 His disciples said to him, “Behold, now you are speaking plainly, and using no figures of speech. 30 Now we know that you know all things, and don’t need for anyone to question you. By this we believe that you came from God.”31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Behold, the time is coming, yes, and has now come, that you will be scattered, everyone to his own place, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. 33 I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.”