What does "plainly" in John 16:29 reveal about Jesus' communication with His disciples? The Setting of John 16:29 “His disciples said, ‘See, now You are speaking plainly and without using figures of speech.’” (John 16:29) What the Word “Plainly” (parrēsia) Means • Greek parrēsia = openness, frankness, freedom of speech • Carries the sense of “nothing hidden, no riddles, no parables” • In Scripture it contrasts with veiled, figurative language (John 16:25) How Jesus Had Been Speaking Up to This Point • Parables and metaphor (John 10; John 15:1–8) • Hints and indirect references to His death and resurrection (John 2:19–22; John 12:24) • Disclosure tied to the disciples’ spiritual readiness (Mark 4:33–34) Why the Shift to Plain Speech Matters • Imminence of the cross demands unmistakable clarity (John 16:32–33) • Marks a deepening relationship—friends share openly, not cryptically (John 15:15) • Prepares the disciples to receive the Spirit, who will guide “into all truth” (John 16:13) What “Plainly” Reveals About Jesus’ Communication • He withholds or reveals truth purposefully, not arbitrarily • He desires understanding, not confusion—He is “the light of the world” (John 8:12) • He adapts His teaching style to the maturity of His listeners • He speaks with absolute reliability: no hidden catch, no double-speak Supporting Passages • John 10:24 — the crowds ask, “If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus now does so with His own. • John 11:14 — “So Jesus told them plainly, ‘Lazarus is dead.’” Same word, same frankness. • Mark 4:34 — “Privately He explained everything to His own disciples.” • Proverbs 15:7 — “The lips of the wise spread knowledge,” modeled perfectly by Christ. Implications for Today’s Disciple • Expect Scripture to speak plainly where God intends clarity; trust its literal accuracy. • Value growth in understanding—greater obedience invites greater illumination (Psalm 25:14). • Share the gospel without needless obscurity; Jesus is our pattern of plain speech (2 Corinthians 4:2). |
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