Charles Ellicott Commentary John 16:1

"These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be caused to stumble." — John 16:1 (ASV)

These things have I spoken unto you.—Compare Note on John 15:17. Here, too, the reference is to the things which he had just said (John 16:17–27). He had foretold them of the hatred of the world and also of the witness of the Spirit.

That ye should not be offended.—Compare Matthew 11:6; Matthew 13:21; Matthew 24:10, et al. In St. John the word occurs only here and in John 6:61.