John 16:20

Truly, truly, I say to you, (or Truly, I tell you the truth), that ye shall mourn and weep, but the world shall have joy; and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall turn into joy.

Wycliffe Modern Spelling

In The King James Version

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.

In Context

19And Jesus knew, that they would ask him, and he said to them, Of this thing ye seek among you (rselves), for I said, A little, and ye shall not see me; and again a little, and ye shall see me.

21A woman when she beareth (a) child, hath heaviness [or sorrow], for her time is come; but when she hath born a son, now she thinketh not on the pain, for (or because of her) joy, for a man is born into the world.

Read all of John 16

Cross References

Job 20:5that the praising of wicked men is short (-lived), and the joy of an hypocrite is at the likeness of a point soon passing (awayx).

Psalms 30:11Thou hast turned my wailing into joy to me; thou hast rent my sackcloth, and hast (en)compassed me with gladness. ( And now, thou hast turned my wailing into joy for me; thou hast torn off my sackcloth, and surrounded me with gladness.)

Psalms 97:11Light is risen to the rightful man; and gladness to rightful men of heart. (Light hath risen for the righteous; and gladness for those with upright hearts.)

Isaiah 12:1And thou shalt say in that day, Lord, I shall acknowledge to thee, for thou were wroth to me; thy strong vengeance is turned, and thou hast comforted me. (And thou shalt say on that day, Lord, I shall praise thee, for though thou were angry with me, now thy strong vengeance is turned away, and thou hast comforted me.)

Isaiah 61:3that I should set comfort to the mourners of Zion, and that I should give to them a crown for ashes, oil of joy for mourning, (and) a mantle of praising for the spirit of wailing. And strong men of rightfulness shall be called therein, the planting of the Lord, for to glorify (him). (yea, that I will give comfort to all who mourn in Zion, and that I will give them a crown for ashes, oil of joy for mourning, and a cloak of praise for the spirit of wailing. And people strong in righteousness there, shall be called The planting of the Lord, to glorify him or for his glory.)

Jeremiah 31:9They shall come in weeping, and I shall bring them again in mercy, (or They shall come with weeping, but I shall comfort them as I lead them here); and I shall bring them by the strands of waters in a rightful way, (so that) they shall not spurn therein; for I am made a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my engendered son.

Matthew Henry on John 16:17-23

Christ's Departure and Return; Sorrow and Joy Foretold. 16 A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. 17 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 little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father? 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… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study John 16:20