Chapter 16 centers around the ministry of the
Holy Spirit. The disciples could not understand why
Christ must leave them, so He was showing them that His
return to the Father would make possible greater
blessings in the coming of the Holy Spirit. The
Christian life cannot be lived in the energy of the
flesh. We must have the Spirit of God living in us if we
are to grow spiritually and live the life that glorifies
Christ. In this great chapter the Lord describes the
work of the Holy Spirit through the believer.
In verses 1-11 Jesus tells us that the Holy
Spirit convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and
of judgment; in verses 12-15 He tells us that the Holy
Spirit instructs the Christian; in verses 16-22 that the
Holy Spirit encourages the Christian; and in verses 23-
33 that the Holy Spirit helps the Christian pray.
Chapter 17 contains Christ’s High Priestly
Prayer, and has often been called “The Holy of Holies of
John’s Gospel.” In it we have the privilege of hearing
the Son of God in conversation with God the Father. In
verses 1-8 Christ prays for Himself; in verses 9-19 He
prays for His disciples; and in verses 20-26 He prays
for His Church.
In chapter 18 Jesus leaves the place of prayer
for His meeting with His enemies. The chapter is divided
into three parts: The arrest of Jesus is covered in
verses 1-14; the denial of Jesus is covered in verses
15-27; and the rejection of Jesus is covered in verses
28-40.
Much has been written about how unfair and
illegal Jesus’ trial was and about Pilate’s cowardly
indecision. Note several aspects of His trial: It was
held at night and Jesus was assumed to be guilty; Jesus
was mistreated while bound and false witnesses testified
against Him; and after the secret night trial, Jesus was
led to Pilate for the final death sentence. Note that
the Jews would not enter the Gentile’s hall for fear
they “should be defiled”; yet they condemned an innocent
Jesus to death. Then, at least seven times Pilate went
from the hall to the Jews outside, trying to work out a
compromise with them.
Jesus’ trial was a picture of Christless
religion–people straining at gnats and swallowing
camels!