“I did not tell you these things from the beginning because I was with you. 18
20:26 Eight days later the disciples were again together in the house, 19 and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, 20 Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”
1 tc A few isolated witnesses omit v. 8 (D sys), part of v. 8 (Ì75), or vv. 7-8 ({0250}). The latter two omissions are surely due to errors of sight, while the former can be attributed to D’s sometimes erratic behavior. The verse is secure in light of the overwhelming evidence on its behalf.
2 tn Grk “Yet a little I am with you.”
3 tn The word “then” is not in the Greek text, but is implied.
3 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “Then” to reflect the implied sequence in the discourse.
4 tn Or “Helper” or “Counselor”; Grk “Paraclete,” from the Greek word παράκλητος (paraklhto"). Finding an appropriate English translation for παράκλητος is a very difficult task. No single English word has exactly the same range of meaning as the Greek word. “Comforter,” used by some of the older English versions, appears to be as old as Wycliffe. But today it suggests a quilt or a sympathetic mourner at a funeral. “Counselor” is adequate, but too broad, in contexts like “marriage counselor” or “camp counselor.” “Helper” or “Assistant” could also be used, but could suggest a subordinate rank. “Advocate,” the word chosen for this translation, has more forensic overtones than the Greek word does, although in John 16:5-11 a forensic context is certainly present. Because an “advocate” is someone who “advocates” or supports a position or viewpoint and since this is what the Paraclete will do for the preaching of the disciples, it was selected in spite of the drawbacks.
4 tn Grk “I will no longer speak many things with you.”
5 sn The ruler of this world is a reference to Satan.
6 tn Grk “in me he has nothing.”
5 tn Or “You will seek me.”
6 tn Grk “the Jews.” In NT usage the term ᾿Ιουδαῖοι (Ioudaioi) may refer to the entire Jewish people, the residents of Jerusalem and surrounding territory, the authorities in Jerusalem, or merely those who were hostile to Jesus. (For further information see R. G. Bratcher, “‘The Jews’ in the Gospel of John,” BT 26 [1975]: 401-9.) Here the phrase refers to the residents of Jerusalem in general, or to the Jewish religious leaders in particular, who had sent servants to attempt to arrest Jesus on that occasion (John 7:33-35). The last option is the one adopted in the translation above.
7 sn See John 7:33-34.
8 tn The words “the same” are not in the Greek text but are implied. Direct objects in Greek were often omitted when clear from the context.
6 tn Grk “Jesus said to him.”
7 tn Or “recognized.”
7 tn The first half of v. 4 resumes the statement of 16:1, ταῦτα λελάληκα ὑμῖν (tauta lelalhka Jumin), in a somewhat more positive fashion, omitting the reference to the disciples being caused to stumble.
8 tn Grk “their hour.”
9 tn The words “about them” are not in the Greek text, but are implied.
10 sn This verse serves as a transition between the preceding discussion of the persecutions the disciples will face in the world after the departure of Jesus, and the following discussion concerning the departure of Jesus and the coming of the Spirit-Paraclete. Jesus had not told the disciples these things from the beginning because he was with them.
8 tn Grk “were inside”; the word “together” is implied.
9 tn Grk “the doors were shut”; “locked” conveys a more appropriate idea for the modern English reader.