Key Verse Spotlight
John 16:21 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: World English Bible — Catholic Edition
" A woman, when she gives birth, has sorrow because her time has come. But when she has delivered the child, she doesn’t remember the anguish any more, for the joy that a human being is born into the world. "
John 16:21
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
19 Therefore Jesus perceived that they wanted to ask him, and he said to them, “Do you inquire among yourselves concerning this, that I said, ‘A little while, and you won’t see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’?
20 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.
21 A woman, when she gives birth, has sorrow because her time has come. But when she has delivered the child, she doesn’t remember the anguish any more, for the joy that a human being is born into the world.
22 Therefore you now have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.
23 “In that day you will ask me no questions. Most certainly I tell you, whatever you may ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.
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John 16:1
"“I have said these things to you so that you wouldn’t be caused to stumble."
John 16:2
"They will put you out of the synagogues. Yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers service to God."
John 16:3
"They will do these things because they have not known the Father nor me."
John 16:4
"But I have told you these things so that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you about them. I didn’t tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you."
John 16:5
"But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’"
John 16:6
"But because I have told you these things, sorrow has filled your heart."
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