16:6

Instead: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Instead here connects a negative statement (16:5b) to a positive statement (16:6). This kind of expression emphasizes the positive statement. Languages have different ways to indicate this type of emphasis. Here are some ways to show the emphasis:

• Use the conjunction “but” as in the New Revised Standard Version.

Yet, none of you asks me where I’m going. But because I’ve told you this, you’re filled with sadness. (God’s Word)

• Use a conjunction other than “but.” This is a common way in English to show this type of emphasis. For example:

…and not one of you is asking where I am going. Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things. (New International Version)

• Do not use a conjunction. For example:

But none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ Your hearts are filled with sadness because I have told you these things. (New Century Version)

• Change the order of the clauses. For example:

But you are very sad because I said these things, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’

You should translate this emphasis in the way that is most natural in your language.

your hearts are filled with sorrow because I have told you these things: The phrase these things probably refers to what Jesus just said in 16:5a that he would leave his disciples. Verse 16:7 implies that they were sad because Jesus was going away.

your hearts are filled with sorrow: This clause means “you are very sad.” For example:

you are sad at heart (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
your hearts are full of sadness (Good News Translation)

The pronoun your is plural and refers to the disciples. The heart was the source of emotions. In some languages it may be natural to use a different body part, or to refer directly to the person. For example:

there is sadness in your minds/livers
-or-
You are very sad from hearing all of this. (Contemporary English Version)

sorrow: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sorrow here means “sadness,” “grief,” “distress,” or “anxiety.” It refers to the disciples’ emotional reaction when they heard that Jesus would leave them. Here are other ways to translate this word:

grief (New International Version)
-or-
sadness (NET Bible)

In some languages it may be natural to translate this as an adjective or a verb. For example:

very sad (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
distressed
-or-
You grieve (New Living Translation (2004))

General Comment on 16:6

What Jesus had told the disciples caused them sorrow. In some languages it may be natural to rearrange the clauses in these clauses, mentioning the result (sorrow) first. For example:

You grieve because of what I’ve told you. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
You are very sad from hearing all this. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Your hearts are filled with sadness because I have told you these things. (New Century Version)

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