Bible Strands
John 16:7
But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses his disciples in the upper room discourse, immediately after acknowledging their sorrow at his announced departure (John 16:6).
The words — συμφέρει (sumpherei) is a commercial term meaning "it is to your advantage," framing the Spirit's coming as a concrete benefit rather than a mere consolation.
The thread — The same Advocate is promised in John 14:16, 14:26, and 15:26, where the Father sends Him in Jesus' name and He proceeds from the Father.
Why it lands — The verse demands that a reader accept a departure as the necessary condition for a greater presence, without softening the loss into a silver lining.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
Cross-references
- John 14:26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you.
- John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—
- John 15:26 When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me.
- Acts 2:33 Exalted, then, to the right hand of God, He has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.
- Luke 24:49 And behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you. But remain in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
- John 7:39 He was speaking about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. For the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.
- Acts 1:4 And while they were gathered together, He commanded them: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift the Father promised, which you have heard Me discuss.
- Romans 8:28 And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.
- John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am.
- Psalms 68:18 You have ascended on high; You have led captives away. You have received gifts from men, even from the rebellious, that the LORD God may dwell there.