John 16:21-22
What is written? (ESV)
When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.
What does it say?
During childbirth, a woman is in pain. But afterward, she doesn’t even remember given the joy she feels for the new baby. In this same way, the Apostles would be sorrowful temporarily, but Jesus would see them again, replacing it with a joy that no-one could steal.
What is its immediate context?
This entire section of Scripture (John 13-17) is Jesus in the upper room with the twelve apostles. He speaks to them directly and gives them instructions about his coming death and what will follow.
How John 16:21-22 is applied across Bible answers
What does Jesus mean by ‘a little while’ (John 16:16-22)?
Jesus uses a woman’s experience during childbirth, contrasting the pain and anguish of delivery (e.g. His departure) with the pure joy of the new life (e.g. His return), and points out that the pain and anguish are forgotten. This “joy” at His return would be permanent and unable to be removed by man.
