John 16:20 (WEB)
Most certainly I tell you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.
As quoted in the map (KJV)
John 16:20 (KJV)
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.
Key words
- κλαύσετε καὶ θρηνήσετεklausete kai thrēnēsete · Greek
- 'ye shall weep and lament' — the grief of the passion.
- ἡ λύπη ὑμῶν εἰς χαρὰν γενήσεταιhē lypē hymōn eis charan genēsetai · Greek
- 'your sorrow shall be turned into joy' — lypē is the Septuagint's word for the pain of childbirth in Genesis 3:16.
Why it matters
Jesus tells the disciples their sorrow at his passion will turn into joy, and in the next verse compares it to a woman in labour whose hour has come. Pitre reads the passion as a birth: the Church is born from the sorrow of the cross, and Mary, whose soul is pierced there, is the woman in travail. Our bond to her is that we are children of the birth pangs she bore at Calvary.
Fathers and councils · 29
John Cassian
- John Cassian, Conferences I–X I.13Conference I
“For he was perfectly aware of another detestable joy, of which we hear “the world shall rejoice,” and “woe unto you that laugh, for ye shall mourn.”” — editor's note: S. John xvi. 20.
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Gregory the Great
“For there are many who, as you say in your letter, make to themselves pastime over our wounds: but we know who said, Ye shall lament and weep, but the world shall rejoice; and ye shall be sorrowful (Joh. xvi. 20): where also he forthwith adds, But your sorrow shall be turned into joy.” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment“The world shall rejoice and ye shall lament (Joh. xvi. 20).” — the author cites it
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Cyprian of Carthage
“And again: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice; ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.”” — editor's note: John xvi. 20.
Read the whole comment“…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.”” — editor's note: John xvi. 20.
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John Chrysostom
“And again, “Ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice.” ( John xvi. 20.)” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment“Ver.” — the author cites it
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Tertullian
“But, for these purposes, “There is nought of communion between light and darkness,” between life and death or else we rescind what is written, “The world shall rejoice, but ye shall grieve.”” — editor's note: John xvi. 20. It is observable that Tertullian here translates κόσμον by “seculum.”
Read the whole comment“You have your own registers, your own calendar; you have nothing to do with the joys of the world; nay, you are called to the very opposite, for “the world shall rejoice, but ye shall mourn.”” — editor's note: John xvi. 20.
Read the whole comment““The world,” says Jesus, “shall rejoice; ye shall be sorrowful.”” — editor's note: John xvi. 20.
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Catena Aurea on John
- John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on John
Our Lord after having relieved the spirits of the disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit, again depresses them: A little while, and ye shall not see Me. He does this to accustom them to the mention of His…
Read the whole comment - BedeCatena Aurea on John
He saith, A little while, and ye shall not see Me, alluding to His going to be taken that night by the Jews, His crucifixion the next morning, and burial in the evening, which withdrew Him from all human sight.
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on John
But then, if one examines, these are words of consolation: Because I go to the Father. For they shew that His death was only a translation: and more consolation follows: And again, a little while, and ye shall see…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on John
The meaning of these words however was obscure, before their fulfilment; Then said some of His disciples among themselves, What is this that He saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see Me: and again, a…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on John
Either sorrow had confused their minds, or the obscurity of the words themselves prevented their understanding them, and made them appear contradictory. If we shall see Thee, they say, how goest Thou? If Thou goest,…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on John
For above, because He did not say, A little while, but simply, I go to the Father, He seemed to speak plainly. But what to them was obscure at the time, but by and by manifested, is manifest to us. For in a little…
Read the whole comment - Alcuin of YorkCatena Aurea on John
Or thus, It will be a little time during which ye will not see Me, i. e. the three days that He rested in the grave; and again, it will be a little time during which ye shall see Me, i. e. the forty days of His…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on John
Which must be understood thus, viz. that the disciples sorrowed at their Lord’s death, and then immediately rejoiced at His resurrection. The world (i. e. the enemies of Christ, who put Him to death) rejoiced just…
Read the whole comment - Alcuin of YorkCatena Aurea on John
But this speech of our Lord’s is applicable to all believers who strive through present tears and afflictions to attain to the joys eternal. While the righteous weep, the world rejoiceth; for having no hope of the…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on John
Then He shews that sorrow brings forth joy, short sorrow infinite joy, by an example from nature; A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come; but as soon as she is delivered of the child,…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on John
This comparison does not seem difficult to understand. It was one which lay near at hand, and He Himself immediately shews its application. And ye now therefore have sorrow; but I will see you again, and your heart…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on John
By this example He also intimates that He loosens the chains of death, and creates men anew. He does not say however that she should not have tribulation, but that she should not remember it; so great is the joy…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on John
To this joy it is better to refer what was said above, A little while and ye shall not see Me, and again, a little while and ye shall see Me. For the whole space of time that this world continues is but a little…
Read the whole comment - Alcuin of YorkCatena Aurea on John
The woman is the holy Church, who is fruitful in good works, and brings forth spiritual children unto God. This woman, while she brings forth, i. e. while she is making her progress in the world, amidst temptations…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on John
Nor yet in this bringing forth of joy, are we entirely without joy to lighten our sorrow, but, as the Apostle saith, we rejoice in hope: (Rom. 12:12) for even the woman, to whom we are compared, rejoiceth more for…
Read the whole comment - Alcuin of YorkCatena Aurea on John
But as soon as she is delivered, i. e. when her laborious struggle is over, and she has got the palm, she remembereth no more her former anguish, for joy at reaping such a reward, for joy that a man is born into the…
Read the whole comment - BedeCatena Aurea on John
Nor should it appear strange, if one who departeth from this life is said to be born. For as a man is said to be born when he comes out of his mother’s womb into the light of day, so may he be said to be born who…
Read the whole comment - Alcuin of YorkCatena Aurea on John
I will see you again, i. e. I will take you to Myself. Or, I will see you again, i. e. I shall appear again and be seen by you; and your heart shall rejoice.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on John
This fruit indeed the Church now yearneth for in travail, but then will enjoy in her delivery. And it is a male child, because all active duties are for the sake of devotion; for that only is free which is desired…
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Cross-references · 15
Cited together in Epistles, Books I–VIII VIII.2.
Cited together in The Chaplet, or De Corona Chapter 13.
Cited together in The Shows, or De Spectaculis Chapter 28.
Cited together in The Chaplet, or De Corona Chapter 13.
Cited together in The Chaplet, or De Corona Chapter 13.
Cited together in Epistles, Books I–VIII VIII.2.
Cited together in The Chaplet, or De Corona Chapter 13.
Cited together in The Chaplet, or De Corona Chapter 13.
Cited together in Epistles, Books I–VIII VIII.2.
Cited together in Epistles, Books I–VIII VIII.2.
Cited together in The Chaplet, or De Corona Chapter 13.
Cited together in Epistles, Books I–VIII VIII.2.
Cited together in The Chaplet, or De Corona Chapter 13.
Cited together in Epistles, Books I–VIII VIII.2.
Cited together in Epistles, Books I–VIII VIII.2.