What does John 16:33 mean?

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33, King James Version

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The verse in its chapter

John 16:31-33

  1. 31 Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?
  2. 32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, 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.
  3. 33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Study note

Tyndale Open Study Notes (CC BY-SA 4.0).

16:33 But take heart, because I have overcome the world: “Such a saying as this is worthy to be carried from Rome to Jerusalem on one’s knees” (Martin Luther). Jesus’ final words did not chastise but brought comfort. Jesus promised peace (14:27) and joy (16:20, 22). Now he added that his disciples can discover peace even when surrounded by threats; they can be tranquil despite those who are hostile to their faith.

Cross references

Other Bible passages linked to this one, most cited first.

About the book of John

Author
the beloved disciple (John 21:24); tradition credits the apostle John
When
c. AD 85 to 95
Period
Vida de Jesus, c. 5 a.C. a 33 d.C. (in Portuguese)

Authorship: the book itself or Christian tradition. Approximate dates, as in Carson and Moo, An Introduction to the New Testament, and Longman and Dillard, An Introduction to the Old Testament.

In the Mercy Bible Atlas (in Portuguese)

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