Joh 16:32 | KingComments | STEP | The disciples think that they now understand the Lord and they tell Him that. From their explanation it appears that they are still not able to realize the full scope of what He has said. They speak about their faith in Him as the One Who came from God, while the Lord spoke about the Father. It is still faith in Him as God’s anointed King. Despite their failure to truly understand that He tells all about His relationship with the Father, they know that He totally knows them. The Lord says nothing about their failure to understand what He has told them about Himself and the Father. He takes their confession seriously. Then He speaks about the consequences of their confession. Their faith in Him will confront them with the opposition of the world. When they come to capture Him, they will be scattered, they will flee in all directions and they will leave Him all alone. Thinking that everything is over, they will return each to his own home, each to his own activities and daily circumstances ( ). The Lord speaks about this without a trace of reproach in their direction. To Him it is sufficient that the Father is with Him. His disciples may all leave Him, He knows that He is not alone after all, but that the Father is with Him. This marks His peace and at the same time it is the peace He wishes for them. So instead of reproach, He has words of peace in His wonderful grace for His disciples. In spite of their failure that will soon be apparent from their fleeing, He has their peace in mind. That is why He has spoken to them. They will find that peace in Him if they keep His words in mind. And as for the world, He gives them good courage. He has conquered the world for them. This means that they don’t have to fear the world with all its threats and horrors. By believing in Him, they can be sure that the world has been overcome for them ( ).

‏ John 16:32

Peace in the Son

The disciples think that they now understand the Lord and they tell Him that. From their explanation it appears that they are still not able to realize the full scope of what He has said. They speak about their faith in Him as the One Who came from God, while the Lord spoke about the Father. It is still faith in Him as God’s anointed King. Despite their failure to truly understand that He tells all about His relationship with the Father, they know that He totally knows them.

The Lord says nothing about their failure to understand what He has told them about Himself and the Father. He takes their confession seriously. Then He speaks about the consequences of their confession. Their faith in Him will confront them with the opposition of the world. When they come to capture Him, they will be scattered, they will flee in all directions and they will leave Him all alone. Thinking that everything is over, they will return each to his own home, each to his own activities and daily circumstances (Jn 21:3). The Lord speaks about this without a trace of reproach in their direction. To Him it is sufficient that the Father is with Him.

His disciples may all leave Him, He knows that He is not alone after all, but that the Father is with Him. This marks His peace and at the same time it is the peace He wishes for them. So instead of reproach, He has words of peace in His wonderful grace for His disciples. In spite of their failure that will soon be apparent from their fleeing, He has their peace in mind. That is why He has spoken to them. They will find that peace in Him if they keep His words in mind.

And as for the world, He gives them good courage. He has conquered the world for them. This means that they don’t have to fear the world with all its threats and horrors. By believing in Him, they can be sure that the world has been overcome for them (1Jn 5:4-5).