King James Version

What Does John 16:4 Mean?

John 16:4 in the King James Version says “But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these thin...” — study this verse from John chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.”

John 16:4 · KJV

Context

2

They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.

3

And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.

4

But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.

5

But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?

6

But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.

Read John 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
When the time shall come, ye may remember (ὅταν ἔλθῃ ἡ ὥρα αὐτῶν μνημονεύητε, hotan elthē hē hōra autōn mnēmoneuēte)—the verb mnēmoneuō (to remember, recall) is subjunctive, suggesting purpose: Jesus spoke these warnings so that when persecution arrived, disciples would remember His words and find their faith strengthened rather than shaken. Fulfilled prophecy becomes proof of Christ's deity and care.

I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you—during Jesus's earthly ministry, His presence provided protection and teaching. But now, preparing them for His physical absence, Jesus must equip them for the hostile world they'll face. The pedagogy of Christ: progressive revelation matched to the disciples' capacity and circumstances. What was unnecessary while He walked beside them becomes essential before His departure.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus spoke this in the Upper Room, likely between 6-9 PM on Thursday of Passion Week. Within 12 hours, He would be arrested; within 24, crucified. The disciples couldn't yet 'bear' (verse 12) the full weight of what awaited both Christ and themselves. His gradual disclosure demonstrates divine wisdom in teaching—revealing truth according to the learner's readiness.

Reflection Questions

  1. How has God's Word proven trustworthy when you've faced trials He warned you about?
  2. What 'times' or seasons of difficulty might Jesus be preparing you for through His current teaching in your life?
  3. How does Christ's progressive revelation to His disciples inform how you should teach or disciple others?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
ἀλλὰ1 of 26

“But”

G235

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

Ταῦτα2 of 26

“these things”

G5023

these things

λελάληκα3 of 26

“have I told”

G2980

to talk, i.e., utter words

ὑμῖν4 of 26

“unto you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

ἵνα5 of 26

“that”

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

ὅταν6 of 26

“when”

G3752

whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as

ἔλθῃ7 of 26

“shall come”

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

ἡ8 of 26
G3588

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

ὥρα9 of 26

“the time”

G5610

an "hour" (literally or figuratively)

μνημονεύητε10 of 26

“ye may remember”

G3421

to exercise memory, i.e., recollect; by implication, to punish; also to rehearse

αὐτῶν11 of 26

“of them”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ὅτι12 of 26

“because”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἐγὼ13 of 26

“I”

G1473

i, me

εἶπον14 of 26

“I said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

ὑμῖν15 of 26

“unto you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

Ταῦτα16 of 26

“these things”

G5023

these things

δὲ17 of 26

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

ὑμῖν18 of 26

“unto you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

ἐξ19 of 26

“at”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

ἀρχῆς20 of 26

“the beginning”

G746

(properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank)

οὐκ21 of 26

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

εἶπον22 of 26

“I said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

ὅτι23 of 26

“because”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

μεθ'24 of 26

“with”

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

ὑμῶν25 of 26

“you”

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

ἤμην26 of 26

“I was”

G2252

i was

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 16:4 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 16:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 14:29Mark 13:23John 13:19John 17:12-13Matthew 9:15Matthew 24:25

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