John 16:1

Verse 1. These things. The things spoken in the two previous chapters, promising them divine aid and directing them in the path of duty. Be offended. For the meaning of the word offend, See Barnes "Mt 5:29". It means here the same as to stumble or fall --that is to apostatize. He proceeds immediately to tell them, what he had often apprised them of, that they would be subject to great persecutions and trials. He was also himself about to be removed by death. They were to go into an unfriendly world. All these things were in themselves greatly fitted to shake their faith, and to expose them to the danger of apostasy. Comp. Lu 24:21.