John 16:4

These things I said not, &c.— The original signifies, "I did not inculcate these things upon you from the beginning;—I did not insist upon them, because the lesson would come time enough before my departure." These things may be understood of the Jews' ignorance of God's designs, and their wilful ignorance of Jesus as the Messiah; particulars, which he had just now mentioned as the causes why the Jews would persecute his apostles, and which, no doubt, were more afflicting to the latter than the persecutions themselves; because these persecutions they supposed would end in the enjoyment of the kingdom; whereas the rejection of their Master cut off their hopes all at once.