This passage is typically thought of as the epilogue of Jesus’ Farewell Discourse. At various times the disciples have responded to Jesus’ words and the events of that Thursday with confusion, dismay, and even grief. Jesus has spoken hard and cryptic as well as comforting words. Here Jesus recognizes that he has used various figures of speech in his teaching. The word John uses means something along the lines of enigmatic or obscure. This method of instruction has at times left his disciples confused.

But now, to the delight of the disciples, Jesus instructs them in plain, direct speech. In Jesus, they know that they have been given access to supreme wisdom. But this is yet another example of a terrible misunderstanding. The time of deep, divinely granted understanding won’t come about until the Son’s hour of glorification in the cross, resurrection, and ascension. And that is why the Lord tamps down on their exuberance. They must be reminded that in the world they will experience sorrow and suffering. But not without the promise of his peace and ultimate triumph.

Of Jesus’ final words in his Farewell Discourse, Luther wrote, “Such a saying as this is worthy to be carried from Rome to Jerusalem upon one’s knees.” Last words are typically precious and this is never so true as we consider Jesus’ final teaching to his disciples before he went to the cross: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (vs. 33).