16:22a
So also you have sorrow now: After the illustration about a woman giving birth in 16:21, this verse explains the point of the illustration. The disciples also have pain, but like the pregnant woman, they will also rejoice later. This clause begins to compare the illustration of the woman to the disciples. Begin the comparison in a way that is natural in your language. For example:
So with you: Now is your time of grief (New International Version)
-or-
So it is with you: you are sad now (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
It is the same with you. Now you are sad (New Century Version)
you have sorrow: This phrase refers to the emotional pain that the disciples felt knowing that Jesus would soon leave them. For example:
You are now very sad. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
you too have grief now (New American Standard Bible)
you: The Greek text emphasizes this pronoun. That emphasizes the change in subject from the woman giving birth to the disciples. If your language indicates a change in subject, you will want to indicate it here. For example:
That is how it is with you: now you are sad (Good News Translation)
-or-
It is the same with you because now you are sad.
16:22b
but: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as but introduces a contrast between the situation then and the future situation. The disciples were sad then knowing that Jesus would leave, but soon they would see him again and be happy.
I will see you again: This clause refers to the time when Jesus would rise from the dead. He would see the disciples, and they would see him, and this would make them happy. It is only implied that the disciples would see Jesus. In some languages it is more natural to make that information more explicit. For example:
we will see ⌊each other⌋ again
and your hearts will rejoice: This clause indicates that the disciples would feel great joy. It is implied that they would be joyful after Jesus’ resurrection. Some English translations leave this information implied, while others make it more explicit. For example:
I will see you again and your hearts will be filled with gladness. (Good News Translation)
-or-
I will see you again. Then you will be happy (God’s Word)
-or-
You (plur.) will rejoice because I will see you again
16:22c
and no one will take away your joy: This clause indicates that no one will be able to stop the disciples from rejoicing. No one will be able to prevent them from being joyful once they see Jesus again. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
no one can rob you of that joy (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
and that joy no one shall take from you (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
no one will ⌊be able to⌋ stop you being glad
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