Paragraph 16:12–15

Jesus told his disciples that the Holy Spirit will teach them about him.

16:12

I still have much to tell you: This clause indicates that there were many more things Jesus wanted his disciples to know. There were things that he had not yet taught them but that he wanted to teach them. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

There is much more that I could say to you (Revised English Bible)
-or-
I have a lot more to tell you (God’s Word)

I: This pronoun refers to Jesus.

you: This pronoun is plural and refers to the disciples.

but you cannot yet bear to hear it: This clause indicates that it would be hard for the disciples if Jesus immediately taught them everything that they should know. They could not bear (endure, accept) hearing these additional things from Jesus. There were things that Jesus’ disciples were not yet able to understand and accept. Therefore, Jesus implied, he would not teach them these truths himself, but the Holy Spirit would guide them when he came. It would not be helpful for them at this time. For example:

but they are too much for you now (New Century Version)
-or-
right now it would be more than you could understand (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
but as yet you cannot bear/endure them, ⌊I will not say them⌋

The Greek and many English versions end this verse with “now.” It is a time word that refers to when Jesus was speaking with the disciples.

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