Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 16:21

"A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but when she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for the joy that a man is born into the world." — John 16:21 (ASV)

The subsequent narrative develops the postresurrection period as a time in which the disciples’ fears are quelled, their doubts dispelled, and their commission confirmed. Jesus compares their coming parting to the painful birth of a child, which, when fully accomplished, brings joy. The disciples are disappointed because the kingdom has not come; and they are distressed because of the calamity that is about to overtake Jesus. The “world” will rejoice that he has been removed and will pride itself in a victory, but the disciples will mourn the untimely loss of their leader. In Jesus’ resurrection, however, the conditions will be reversed, and their lamentations will be transformed into joy because he will return to them.