“I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus isn't just switching from riddles to direct speech; He's promising a profound shift in understanding, driven by His Spirit, that will reveal the Father not just intellectually, but as a personal, loving reality. He's pointing to a future where His disciples won't just hear about the Father, but will truly know Him through an unveiled intimacy.
“I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has been speaking to his disciples about his impending departure, their sorrow, and the future coming of the Holy Spirit, but acknowledges that his words have been veiled in figurative language. He assures them that a time is coming, after his resurrection and the Spirit's empowerment, when he will reveal the Father's truth to them in a clear, direct manner, no longer requiring parables to convey spiritual realities. This marks a transition from their current understanding, limited by their earthly perspective, to a deeper, Spirit-enabled comprehension of God.
Jesus’ teaching was rich but often wrapped in figures of speech. What did He mean when He promised to speak plainly?
Jesus acknowledges that His disciples haven’t fully grasped everything He’s taught. He refers to this teaching, which often used analogies like the vine and branches or the analogy of childbirth, as being spoken 'in proverbs' or figures of speech. This means the meaning wasn’t always immediately obvious, requiring deeper thought and understanding.
But Jesus offers incredible hope: the time is coming when this obscurity will lift. He promises a shift from veiled truths to direct revelation, a moment when His disciples will understand not just His words, but the very heart of the Father. This isn't about Him changing His message, but about their capacity to receive it changing dramatically.
How does Jesus plan to move His disciples from confusion to clarity about the Father?
Jesus’ promise to ‘show you plainly of the Father’ isn't just about Him speaking more directly. It’s deeply connected to the coming of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit’s role is to take what belongs to Jesus and reveal it to us, illuminating God’s character and will.
Think of it this way: Jesus' earthly ministry was like a beautiful, intricate painting, but the disciples could only see parts of it. The Holy Spirit, after Jesus’ ascension, would act like a powerful spotlight, revealing the full masterpiece and its Creator. This direct impartation of understanding would replace the need for analogies and riddles, enabling them to grasp the Father’s love, purpose, and presence in a new, intimate way.
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Understand the original words
paroimia · Greek Noun
Proverbs, riddles, or dark sayings; metaphorical language used to veil truth temporarily. It represents indirect teaching that requires divine illumination to be fully understood.
parrēsia · Greek Adverb
Speaking without symbols or metaphors, with total clarity and openness. It implies the full revelation of God's truth, which is finally made manifest through Christ’s finished work and the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus' words about speaking 'plainly' refer to the post-resurrection and Pentecost era, when the Holy Spirit would fully illuminate the disciples' understanding, enabling them to grasp the Father's nature and Jesus' mission with unprecedented clarity.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus' Public Ministry
Jesus taught in parables and figures of speech, often speaking about the Father and His kingdom in ways that challenged and sometimes confused His listeners, including His closest disciples.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus is crucified and then resurrected, a pivotal event that fulfills His mission and initiates the new covenant relationship with God.
c. AD 30-33 (40 days after resurrection)— this verse
Jesus' Ascension
Following His resurrection, Jesus spent time instructing His disciples before ascending to the Father. This period marked a transition in their understanding.
c. AD 33
Pentecost
The Holy Spirit is poured out on the disciples, empowering them and illuminating their understanding of Jesus' teachings and the nature of the Father.
This passage highlights the role of the Holy Spirit as the one who will teach and remind the disciples of all that Jesus has said, directly relating to Jesus' promise of clearer understanding.
1 Corinthians 13:12This verse speaks of seeing things dimly now but clearly in the future, mirroring Jesus' promise to move from figurative speech to plain declaration about the Father.
Hebrews 1:1-2This passage describes God speaking in various ways in the past (including through prophets and indirectly), contrasting it with the direct and clear revelation through His Son, Jesus.
Matthew 13:10-11Jesus explains to His disciples that it is given to them to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, while others hear in parables, connecting to the idea of veiled vs. revealed understanding.
1 John 2:27This verse assures believers that the anointing they have received from God teaches them all things, which directly supports Jesus' promise that the disciples will soon understand plainly.
cambridgeJohn 16:25: "These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father."
25–33 . Summary and conclusion of these discourses 25 . These things ] As in John 16:1 there is some uncertainty as to how much is included. Some refer ‘these things’ to John 16:19-24 ; others to John 15:1 to John 16:24 . Perhaps even the latter is too narrow a limit. The words can apply to all Christ’s teaching, of whic…
calvinJohn 16:25-28: "These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father."
- These things I have spoken to you in proverbs; but the time cometh when I shall no longer speak to you in parables, but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26. In that day you shall ask in my name and I do not say that I will pray the Father for you; 27. For the Father himself loveth you, because you have love…
Jesus isn't just switching from riddles to direct speech; He's promising a profound shift in understanding, driven by His Spirit, that will reveal the Father not just intellectually, but as a personal, loving reality. He's pointing to a future where His disciples won't just hear about the Father, but will truly know Him through an unveiled intimacy.
Jesus has been speaking to his disciples about his impending departure, their sorrow, and the future coming of the Holy Spirit, but acknowledges that his words have been veiled in figurative language. He assures them that a time is coming, after his resurrection and the Spirit's empowerment, when he will reveal the Father's truth to them in a clear, direct manner, no longer requiring parables to convey spiritual realities. This marks a transition from their current understanding, limited by their earthly perspective, to a deeper, Spirit-enabled comprehension of God.
Jesus has been speaking to his disciples about his impending departure, their sorrow, and the future coming of the Holy Spirit, but acknowledges that his words have been veiled in figurative language. He assures them that a time is coming, after his resurrection and the Spirit's empowerment, when he will reveal the Father's truth to them in a clear, direct manner, no longer requiring parables to convey spiritual realities. This marks a transition from their current understanding, limited by their earthly perspective, to a deeper, Spirit-enabled comprehension of God.
"“I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father." — Jesus isn't just switching from riddles to direct speech; He's promising a profound shift in understanding, driven by His Spirit, that will reveal the Father not just intellectually, but as a persona…
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Last reviewed October 2026