In chapters 16 to 21 of the Gospel of John, we witness the final teachings of Jesus before His arrest, His profound prayer for His disciples, and the monumental events of His crucifixion and resurrection. These chapters highlight Jesus’ deep relationship with His Father, His sacrifice for humanity, and the ultimate victory over death. The narrative concludes with Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances and the restoration of Peter, reinforcing the hope and purpose He imparts to His followers.
John 16: The Promise of the Holy Spirit
In John 16, Jesus continues preparing His disciples for His impending departure. He reassures them that, although He will leave, they will not be left alone. Jesus explains that it is actually for their benefit that He departs, as this will allow the Holy Spirit (referred to as the Comforter) to come.
Jesus describes the role of the Holy Spirit, saying, “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8 KJV). The Spirit will guide the disciples into all truth, glorifying Jesus by revealing more of His message to them. This comforting promise ensures that His followers will continue to experience His presence and guidance even after His physical departure.
He also acknowledges the pain and sorrow the disciples will soon feel due to His crucifixion but assures them that their sorrow will turn into joy. Using the analogy of a woman in labor, Jesus emphasizes that their grief will give way to overwhelming joy when they see Him again after His resurrection: “And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice” (John 16:22 KJV).
John 17: Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer
Chapter 17 of John contains Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer, which is one of the most profound prayers in Scripture. In this prayer, Jesus prays for Himself, His disciples, and all future believers who will come to faith through their message.
First, Jesus prays for the Father to glorify Him as He completes His mission on earth, which will ultimately lead to the salvation of humanity. He acknowledges that He has finished the work the Father gave Him to do and that His impending death will bring eternal life to those who believe: “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3 KJV).
Next, Jesus prays for His disciples, asking the Father to protect them from the evil in the world and to sanctify them through the truth of God’s word. He emphasizes their unique calling and mission, saying, “As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world” (John 17:18 KJV).
Finally, Jesus prays for all future believers, that they may be united in love and truth, reflecting the unity between Him and the Father. He desires that His followers will share in the glory of His eternal kingdom and be a witness to the world of God’s love: “That the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:21 KJV).
John 18: Jesus’ Arrest and Trial
John 18 marks the beginning of the events leading to Jesus’ crucifixion. After finishing His prayer, Jesus and His disciples cross the Kidron Valley to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Judas Iscariot arrives with soldiers to betray Him. Jesus, knowing all things that would happen, steps forward and identifies Himself, willingly surrendering to the authorities.
He is first taken to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest, and then to Caiaphas himself. Meanwhile, Peter denies Jesus three times, fulfilling the prediction Jesus made earlier that night.
The following day, Jesus is brought before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. Although Pilate finds no fault in Him, the Jewish leaders demand His crucifixion, and Pilate ultimately consents. The chapter ends with Pilate offering to release Jesus, but the crowd chooses to free Barabbas, a notorious criminal, instead.
John 19: The Crucifixion
Chapter 19 presents the harrowing account of Jesus’ crucifixion. After Pilate orders Jesus to be scourged, the soldiers mock Him, placing a crown of thorns on His head and dressing Him in a purple robe. Pilate presents Jesus to the crowd, but they insist on His crucifixion, shouting, “Crucify him, crucify him” (John 19:6 KJV).
Jesus is led to Golgotha (also known as Calvary), where He is nailed to the cross. Pilate orders a sign to be placed above Jesus, which reads: “JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS” (John 19:19 KJV). Even as He suffers, Jesus demonstrates compassion, entrusting His mother, Mary, to the care of John, His beloved disciple.
Before His death, Jesus declares, “It is finished” (John 19:30 KJV), signifying the completion of His redemptive work. He then bows His head and gives up His spirit. Afterward, to ensure that Jesus is dead, a soldier pierces His side with a spear, fulfilling the prophecy that none of His bones would be broken.
Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus (who had earlier visited Jesus by night) take His body and lay it in a new tomb, fulfilling the prophecy of His burial.
John 20: The Resurrection
John 20 describes the resurrection of Jesus, the cornerstone of the Christian faith. Early on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene comes to the tomb and finds the stone rolled away. She runs to tell Peter and John, who rush to the tomb and find it empty, with only the linen burial cloths remaining.
Later, Mary encounters the risen Jesus, although she does not recognize Him at first. When He calls her by name, she realizes who He is and exclaims, “Rabboni” (John 20:16 KJV), meaning “Master.” Jesus instructs her to go and tell the disciples that He has risen.
That evening, Jesus appears to His disciples, showing them the wounds in His hands and side. He breathes on them, giving them the Holy Spirit, and commissions them to continue His mission. However, Thomas, one of the disciples, is not present and expresses doubt when he hears the news. A week later, Jesus appears again, and Thomas believes when he sees the risen Christ, declaring, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28 KJV).
John 21: Jesus Restores Peter and the Final Commission
The final chapter of John tells the story of Jesus’ post-resurrection appearance to His disciples by the Sea of Galilee. After a night of unsuccessful fishing, Jesus appears on the shore and instructs them to cast their net on the other side of the boat. They catch a large number of fish, and Peter realizes it is the Lord. He jumps into the water and swims to shore to meet Him.
After they share breakfast, Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him, mirroring Peter’s three denials before the crucifixion. Each time Peter affirms his love, Jesus instructs him to “Feed my sheep” (John 21:17 KJV), restoring Peter to his role as a leader in the early Church.
The chapter concludes with Jesus predicting Peter’s future martyrdom and encouraging him to “Follow me” (John 21:19 KJV). John also reflects on the many other things Jesus did, saying that if they were all written down, the world could not contain the books that would be written.
Conclusion
John 16 to 21 in the King James Bible presents some of the most important events in Christian theology: Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit, His sacrificial death, His resurrection, and His post-resurrection interactions with His disciples. These chapters are filled with profound teachings and miraculous moments that continue to inspire and strengthen the faith of believers worldwide. Through His love, sacrifice, and victory over death, Jesus offers hope, eternal life, and a calling to follow Him in a life of love and service.