John 16:12

“I have many more things to say to you, ¹  but you cannot bear ²  them now.

Mr 4:33; Joh 14:30; Joh 15:15; Ac 1:3; 1Co 3:1,2; Heb 5:11-14

¹ sn In what sense does Jesus have many more things to say to the disciples? Does this imply the continuation of revelation after his departure? This is probably the case, especially in light of v. 13 and following, which describe the work of the Holy Spirit in guiding the disciples into all truth. Thus Jesus was saying that he would continue to speak (to the twelve, at least) after his return to the Father. He would do this through the Holy Spirit whom he was going to send. It is possible that an audience broader than the twelve is addressed, and in the Johannine tradition there is evidence that later other Christians (or perhaps, professed Christians) claimed to be recipients of revelation through the Spirit-Paraclete (1 John 4:1-6).

² tn Or (perhaps) “you cannot accept.”