Chapter
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Verse

John 16:32

ESV Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.
NIV "A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.
NASB Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.
CSB Indeed, an hour is coming, and has come, when each of you will be scattered to his own home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
NLT But the time is coming — indeed it’s here now — when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me.
KJV Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
NKJV Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.

What does John 16:32 mean?

Earlier in this same conversation, Peter arrogantly declared he would follow Christ anywhere, even to his own death. Jesus responded by predicting Peter wouldn't even remain loyal until sunrise (John 13:36–38). It's not that Peter will never be brave and loyal; he just hasn't arrived at that state, yet. After Christ's resurrection (John 20:19), empowered by the Holy Spirit (John 16:13), Peter will be radically fearless in declaring Christ (Acts 4:13). One day, that faith will indeed lead to martyrdom (John 21:18).

Other gospels record the same prediction Jesus makes here (Matthew 26:31; Mark 14:27). When crisis arrives (John 18:1–3), every one of these men will abandon Jesus and flee in terror. This is also part of fulfilled prophecy. That Jesus will be left alone is prophesied by Isaiah (Isaiah 63:5). The phrasing found in Matthew and Mark more clearly implies a prophecy in Zechariah 13:7, referring to sheep scattering from the shepherd.

Despite being abandoned by His earthly friends, Jesus will not be entirely, infinitely alone. His relationship with God the Father will be the cornerstone of Jesus' faith during the upcoming hardship (Matthew 26:39–42).
Expand
Expand
Expand
What is the Gospel?
Download the app: