John 16:6
ἀλλ’ ὅτι ταῦτα λελάληκα ὑμῖν, ἡ λύπη πεπλήρωκε ὑμῶν τὴν καρδίαν.
But because I have spoken these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.
Cause and Emotional Response
ἀλλ’ ὅτι – “But because.” The conjunction ἀλλά introduces contrast, while ὅτι (“because”) gives the reason. Together, they set up a shift from expectation to emotion: the disciples are not asking questions about Jesus’ departure (see John 16:5), but are overcome with grief.
ταῦτα λελάληκα ὑμῖν – “I have spoken these things to you.”
- λελάληκα is the perfect active indicative of λαλέω, “to speak.” The perfect tense emphasizes the abiding effect of Jesus’ words—what he said continues to weigh on them.
- ὑμῖν – dative of indirect object: “to you.” The audience is personal and direct.
The phrase underscores how Jesus’ teaching about his departure has deeply unsettled them.
Overwhelming Sorrow
ἡ λύπη πεπλήρωκε ὑμῶν τὴν καρδίαν – “sorrow has filled your heart.”
- ἡ λύπη – “sorrow” or “grief.” Feminine singular subject.
- πεπλήρωκε – perfect active indicative of πληρόω, “to fill.” The perfect implies the heart has been fully filled and remains full—it’s a completed action with continuing result.
- ὑμῶν τὴν καρδίαν – “your heart.” ὑμῶν is a genitive of possession. καρδία here, as often in biblical Greek, refers to the inner person—emotion, will, and thought.
Summary Table
| Greek Phrase | Translation | Form | Function / Insight |
|---|---|---|---|
| ἀλλ’ ὅτι | but because | Contrast + causal conjunction | Introduces the reason for their emotional state |
| λελάληκα ὑμῖν | I have spoken to you | Perfect active verb + dative | Emphasizes ongoing impact of Jesus’ words |
| ἡ λύπη πεπλήρωκε | sorrow has filled | Perfect active indicative | Describes the completed and enduring effect of grief |
| ὑμῶν τὴν καρδίαν | your heart | Genitive of possession + accusative noun | Targets the seat of emotion and response |
Closing Insight
John 16:6 combines the precision of perfect verbs with the tenderness of emotional reality. The Greek reveals a pastoral moment: Jesus sees not just what his disciples hear, but what it does to them inside. His words prepare, but they also pierce. The sorrow, however, is not the end—it is the doorway to joy that is coming.
