The Translation for Translators is not a paraphrased edition of the Bible. It is a translation from the original languages with relevant historical, contextual, and theological details integrated into the text to provide clarity for the English reader.

A distinctive feature of Translation for Translators is its intentional use of first‑person pronouns to convey an eyewitness point of view. In John 16:19, the terms “we” and “us” refer to the disciples because the apostle John, who wrote the Gospel of John, was one of those disciples. This narrative choice reinforces the authenticity of the account as firsthand testimony.

Passage Outline

John 16:

16–18 Confusing – Jesus made a statement in verse 16 that was confusing to the disciples.
19–24 Clarifying – Jesus realized the disciples were confused and provided a clarifying explanation.
25–33 Consoling – Jesus prepared the disciples for His imminent departure by consoling them.

Translation for Translators
(T4T)*

16 “After a short time I will leave you, and you will not see me. Then a short time after that you will see me again.” 17 So some of us said to each other, “What does he mean by saying ‘After a short time you will not see me,’ and ‘A short time after that you will see me again’? And what does he mean by ‘Because I am going back to my Father’?” 18 We kept asking each other, “What does he mean by saying ‘After a little while’? We do not understand what he is saying.”

19 Jesus realized that we wanted to ask him about that. So he said to us, “You are asking each other what I meant when I said, ‘After a short time you will not see me, and then a short time after that you will see me again.’ 20 Listen to this carefully: After I die, those who oppose God will be happy, but you will be sad. But later you will stop being sad and you will become joyful. 21 A woman who is about to bear a child feels pain, because that is what happens at that time. But after her baby is born, she forgets that pain, because she is very joyful that her child has been born. 22 It will be the same with you. I will soon die and you will be sad. But after that, I will see you again. Then you will be joyful, and no one will be able to stop you from being joyful. 23 When that happens, you will not ask me any questions about anything. Listen to this carefully: After that happens, my Father will do for you anything you ask, because of his relationship with me. 24 Up to the present time, using my authority you have not asked God to do anything for you. Now keep asking him for things that you need. If you do that, you will receive them, and then you will be completely joyful.

25 Although I have been speaking these things using figurative language, there will soon be a time when I will no longer use that kind of language. Instead, I will tell you plainly about my Father. 26 At that time, you will ask him for things because you belong to me. I will not need to ask my Father to do what you ask. 27 My Father himself loves you because you have loved me and because you have believed that I came from God my Father, so he wants you to ask him. 28 I came from my Father into this world. Very soon I will be leaving this world and going back to my Father.”

29 Then we, his disciples, said, “Now you are speaking plainly, without using figurative language. 30 Now we understand that you know everything. You do not need anyone to ask you questions about anything, because you know what we want to ask before we ask you. That also leads us to believe that you came from God.”

31 Jesus replied, “Now you say that you believe that I came from God. 32 But listen! There will soon be a time, and that time is already here, when you will all run away! Each of you will run away to your own home. You will leave me, and I will be alone. But I will not really be alone at that time, because my Father is always with me. 33 I have told you these things in order that you may have inner peace because of your relationship with me. In this world you will have trouble. But be courageous! I have defeated those who are opposed to me, and you can defeat them, too!”