This note was written on Friday 1-8-14 (5m-7d)
John 16: 16 - 29 KJV
Jesus, as usual, spoke in "proverbs" to his disciples (v.25).
John 16:16
A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while ye shall see me again, because I go to the Father.
And just like before, his disciples did not understand him (v17 - 19).
In v.22ff, Jesus explained his "little while" proverb, and went on further to tell of the future, "in that day".
In that day, ye shall ask me nothing (v.23)
cf v.26, At that day . . . I say not unto you, I will pray the Father for you.
Meaning: in that day, the day spoken of in v22 when Jesus will see them again, when their sorrow will turn into joy, the disciples will be able to ask from the Father directly without having to ask Jesus to pray for them. See also 16:23, 24.
John 16: 23 - 24
What soever ye shall ask the Father in my name, He will give it you.
In that day, this can happen for the disciples believed that Jesus came forth from God (v27)
See v.28, "I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again I leave the world and go to the Father.
In that day, the Lord Jesus no longer spoke to them in proverbs. (v29)
On hearing that, the disciples realised that "that day" is very near because they could see that Jesus has begun to speak plainly to them, and no longer in proverbs
John 16: 30
. . . by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.
