King James Version

What Does John 16:20 Mean?

John 16:20 in the King James Version says “Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, b...” — study this verse from John chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.”

John 16:20 · KJV

Joy

Context

18

They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.

19

Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?

20

Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

21

A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.

22

And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

Read John 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Verily, verily, I say unto you (ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν/amēn amēn legō hymin)—Jesus's solemn double ἀμήν (amēn) introduces critical truth, used 25 times in John's Gospel. What follows demands attention.

Ye shall weep and lament (κλαύσετε καὶ θρηνήσετε/klausete kai thrēnēsete)—κλαίω (klaiō) means to weep audibly, shed tears of grief; θρηνέω (thrēneō) means to wail, lament, mourn formally. Jesus predicts the disciples' anguish at His crucifixion. Good Friday saw their hopes crucified with Christ.

But the world shall rejoice (ὁ δὲ κόσμος χαρήσεται/ho de kosmos charēsetai)—the fallen world system opposed to God celebrates Christ's apparent defeat. Satan, religious leaders, mockers rejoiced at the cross, thinking they'd silenced God's Son.

Your sorrow shall be turned into joy (ἡ λύπη ὑμῶν εἰς χαρὰν γενήσεται/hē lypē hymōn eis charan genēsetai)—the passive verb γενήσεται (genēsetai, "shall become") indicates divine transformation. God will convert grief to gladness through resurrection. Not merely relief after sorrow, but sorrow itself metamorphosed into joy—the suffering becomes meaningful, purposeful, even glorious in retrospect.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus spoke these words Thursday night; by Friday evening, they were tragically fulfilled. The disciples watched Jesus beaten, mocked, crucified, and buried. They scattered, hid, wept—all hope seemingly dead (Luke 24:21). Meanwhile, the world rejoiced: Pharisees congratulated themselves, Roman soldiers gambled for His garments, mockers ridiculed (Matthew 27:39-44). Saturday's Sabbath was the darkest day in redemptive history. But Sunday morning, resurrection transformed everything. Grief became gladness, death became victory, shame became glory. The early church, facing persecution and martyrdom, clung to this pattern: present suffering would be transformed to eternal joy (Romans 8:18, 2 Corinthians 4:17).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding that sorrow will be 'turned into joy' (not merely followed by joy) change your perspective on present suffering?
  2. What does the world's rejoicing at Christ's crucifixion reveal about fallen humanity's hostility toward God, and how should this shape Christian expectations?
  3. In what ways does the crucifixion-to-resurrection pattern appear in believers' lives—times when apparent defeat becomes glorious victory?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 23 words
ἀμὴν1 of 23

“Verily”

G281

properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)

ἀμὴν2 of 23

“Verily”

G281

properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)

λέγω3 of 23

“I say”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

ὑμῖν4 of 23

“unto you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

ὅτι5 of 23

“That”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

κλαύσετε6 of 23

“shall weep”

G2799

to sob, i.e., wail aloud (whereas 1145 is rather to cry silently)

καὶ7 of 23

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

θρηνήσετε8 of 23

“lament”

G2354

to bewail

ὑμεῖς9 of 23

“ye”

G5210

you (as subjective of verb)

ὁ10 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ11 of 23

“and”

G1161

but, and, etc

κόσμος12 of 23

“the world”

G2889

orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))

χαρήσεται13 of 23

“shall rejoice”

G5463

to be "cheer"ful, i.e., calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation (on meeting or parting), be well

ὑμεῖς14 of 23

“ye”

G5210

you (as subjective of verb)

δὲ15 of 23

“and”

G1161

but, and, etc

λυπηθήσεσθε16 of 23

“shall be sorrowful”

G3076

to distress; reflexively or passively, to be sad

ἀλλ'17 of 23

“but”

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

ἡ18 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λύπη19 of 23

“sorrow”

G3077

sadness

ὑμῶν20 of 23

“your”

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

εἰς21 of 23

“into”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

χαρὰν22 of 23

“joy”

G5479

cheerfulness, i.e., calm delight

γενήσεται23 of 23

“shall be turned”

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 16:20 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 16:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

James 1:2Matthew 5:4Psalms 126:5-6Revelation 7:14-17Mark 16:10Jeremiah 31:25

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