John 16:33 (DRB)

Passage

These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you shall have distress. But have confidence. I have overcome the world.

Nearby Context

John 16:31 Jesus answered them: Do you now believe?

John 16:32 Behold, the hour cometh, and it is now come, that you 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.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you shall have distress. But have confidence. I have overcome the world.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "world", "things", "spoken", "peace", "shall", "distress", "confidence", and "overcome". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "world" and "things", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The prior verse says "Behold the hour cometh and it is...", giving immediate footing for "world" and "things". In John context, the local focus is the identity of Jesus, new birth, eternal life, and belief and unbelief.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "world" and "things" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.