John 16:10, "about righteousness, because I am going to my Father, and you won’t see me any more;" is a complex statement that needs to be understood within the context of Jesus' overall discourse in John 14-16. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
Context:
Jesus is Preparing His Disciples: Jesus is speaking to his disciples shortly before his crucifixion. He's preparing them for his departure and explaining the role of the Holy Spirit, who will come after he leaves.
The Holy Spirit's Role (Paraclete/Advocate): Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit (often called the Paraclete, Advocate, or Helper) to the world. The Holy Spirit will convict (or convince) the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8).
Breakdown of the Verse:
"About Righteousness": This is the key concept. The Holy Spirit will convict the world concerning righteousness. But what righteousness? The verse defines it:
"Because I am going to my Father": This is the crucial point. Jesus' ascension to the Father is the proof of his righteousness. In other words, Jesus' return to the Father demonstrates that he was righteous. It's not just his righteousness, it's the standard of righteousness itself.
"And you won't see me any more": This reinforces the idea that his physical presence is ending. The disciples will no longer see him walking around on earth. But his absence, paradoxically, becomes a key element in establishing the truth about righteousness.
Explanation:
The verse is saying that the Holy Spirit will reveal the true nature of righteousness through Jesus' ascension. Consider these points:
1. Jesus' Innocence: Jesus was falsely accused and unjustly crucified. If he were truly a sinner, God would not have accepted him back.
2. God's Approval: Jesus' ascension to the Father is God's vindication of Jesus. It's God's way of saying, "This man was innocent. He fulfilled my will perfectly. He is righteous."
3. A New Standard of Righteousness: Before Jesus, the Jewish people often associated righteousness with adherence to the law. But Jesus' life and death showed a higher righteousness - one of perfect obedience to the Father, sacrificial love, and fulfilling God's plan of salvation. His ascension proves this new standard is valid.
4. The Holy Spirit Empowers Belief: The Holy Spirit then empowers people to recognize this truth. He convicts the world that Jesus's righteousness, proven by his ascension, is the only way to be right with God.
In Summary:
The verse is not just about Jesus' righteousness, but about the nature of righteousness itself. Jesus' ascension to the Father, and his absence from the earth, proves his righteousness and demonstrates the standard of righteousness that God requires. The Holy Spirit then convinces people of this truth, leading them to faith in Jesus. Without the ascension, the standard of righteousness would remain unclear and tied to earthly things.
John 16:10, "about righteousness, because I am going to my Father, and you won’t see me any more;" is a complex statement that needs to be understood within the context of Jesus' overall discourse in John 14-16. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
Context:
Jesus is Preparing His Disciples: Jesus is speaking to his disciples shortly before his crucifixion. He's preparing them for his departure and explaining the role of the Holy Spirit, who will come after he leaves.
The Holy Spirit's Role (Paraclete/Advocate): Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit (often called the Paraclete, Advocate, or Helper) to the world. The Holy Spirit will convict (or convince) the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8).
Breakdown of the Verse:
"About Righteousness": This is the key concept. The Holy Spirit will convict the world concerning righteousness. But what righteousness? The verse defines it:
"Because I am going to my Father": This is the crucial point. Jesus' ascension to the Father is the proof of his righteousness. In other words, Jesus' return to the Father demonstrates that he was righteous. It's not just his righteousness, it's the standard of righteousness itself.
"And you won't see me any more": This reinforces the idea that his physical presence is ending. The disciples will no longer see him walking around on earth. But his absence, paradoxically, becomes a key element in establishing the truth about righteousness.
Explanation:
The verse is saying that the Holy Spirit will reveal the true nature of righteousness through Jesus' ascension. Consider these points:
1. Jesus' Innocence: Jesus was falsely accused and unjustly crucified. If he were truly a sinner, God would not have accepted him back.
2. God's Approval: Jesus' ascension to the Father is God's vindication of Jesus. It's God's way of saying, "This man was innocent. He fulfilled my will perfectly. He is righteous."
3. A New Standard of Righteousness: Before Jesus, the Jewish people often associated righteousness with adherence to the law. But Jesus' life and death showed a higher righteousness - one of perfect obedience to the Father, sacrificial love, and fulfilling God's plan of salvation. His ascension proves this new standard is valid.
4. The Holy Spirit Empowers Belief: The Holy Spirit then empowers people to recognize this truth. He convicts the world that Jesus's righteousness, proven by his ascension, is the only way to be right with God.
In Summary:
The verse is not just about Jesus' righteousness, but about the nature of righteousness itself. Jesus' ascension to the Father, and his absence from the earth, proves his righteousness and demonstrates the standard of righteousness that God requires. The Holy Spirit then convinces people of this truth, leading them to faith in Jesus. Without the ascension, the standard of righteousness would remain unclear and tied to earthly things.