John 16:31 Commentary and Bible Study

Our translators have made it a question, but this can equally be translated as a statement – you now believe. But either way, there is a question ringing in the statement. The Lord does not question their belief, but the strength of their belief. Do you now believe? he says. Now listen to what follows. ‘Behold, the hour cometh, ye, is now come, that ye 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.’ We know what is going to happen. We know that he is going to be denied. We know that the disciples will move out of the central spotlight to save their lives. We know there will be an apparent desertion of him. It will not last long, but he refers to that. Do you now believe enough to withstand the great test that is coming? Alas, they did not stand up to that test. But then he says - the Father will be with him. Of course, after the crucifixion and before the resurrection appearances and even after his first appearance, the disciples were so disillusioned. They thought everything had come to an end. Peter says, ‘I go back to fishing’, and so on. Then he appears again to them. and again. And at last their hearts are reassured and they are filled with joy.