A.T. Robertson Commentary John 16:12

"I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now." — John 16:12 (ASV)

But ye cannot bear them now (αλλ' ου δυνασθε βασταζειν αρτ). The literal sense of βασταζω, to bear, occurs in 12:6. For the figurative as here see Ac 15:10. The untaught cannot get the full benefit of teaching (1 Corinthians 3:1; Hebrews 5:11–14). The progressive nature of revelation is a necessity.