Interpretation of the Bible / John 16:28

Chapter 16 of John’s Gospel is one of the most important because it is where Jesus addresses his disciples before the Last Supper and tells them about the coming of the Holy Spirit, the betrayal He would suffer, and his imminent departure from this world.

In verse 28, Jesus tells them, “I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.” This verse is short but meaningful, a reminder of His divine origin and a promise of His return to heaven.

What does it mean that Jesus came from the Father?

The fact that Jesus came from the Father means that He is of divine origin. He was not created, but has always existed as part of the Trinity. John 1:1-2 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.”

Additionally, John 3:16 reminds us, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Why did Jesus come into the world?

Jesus came into the world to save humanity from sin and death. To do this, He lived a perfect life, died on the cross to pay the price for our sins, and rose again on the third day, opening the way to eternal life for all who believe in Him.

John 3:17 says, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

What does it mean that Jesus would leave the world and return to the Father?

Jesus knew that He would soon leave this world and return to heaven to be with his Father. He promised his disciples that he would send a Helper, the Holy Spirit, to guide them in His absence and give them the strength and wisdom needed to spread the gospel message throughout the world.

Jesus also promised that he would return one day to take his followers with him to heaven. John 14:2-3 tells us, “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”