The Conclusion to Christ's Farewell Discourse (8): The Weakness of the Disciples' Knowledge (John 16:28-32) by Rev. Angus Stewart
I. The Self-Revelation of the Messiah
II. The Misunderstanding of the Disciples
III. The Prediction of Their Scattering
John Calvin on John 16:31: "Now, we never are fully aware of what we want [i.e., lack], and of our great distance from the fulness of faith, till we come to some serious trial; for then the fact shows how weak our faith was, which we imagined to be full. Christ recalls the attention of the disciples to this matter, and declares that they will ere long forsake him; for persecution is a touchstone to try faith, and when its smallness becomes evident, they who formerly were swelled with pride begin to tremble and to draw back."