John 16:25

“I have told you these things in obscure figures of speech; ¹  a time ²  is coming when I will no longer speak to you in obscure figures, but will tell you ³  plainly ⁴  about the Father.

Ps 49:4; Ps 78:2; Pr 1:6; Mt 13:10,11,34,35; Mr 4:13; Joh 16:12,16,17; Joh 16:28,29; Ac 2:33-36; 2Co 3:12-18; 2Co 4:2

¹ tn Or “in parables”; or “in metaphors.” There is some difficulty in defining παροιμίαις (paroimiai") precisely: A translation like “parables” does not convey accurately the meaning. BDAG 779-80 s.v. παροιμία suggests in general “proverb, saw, maxim,” but for Johannine usage “veiled saying, figure of speech, in which esp. lofty ideas are concealed.” In the preceding context of the Farewell Discourse, Jesus has certainly used obscure language and imagery at times: John 13:8-11; 13:16; 15:1-17; and 16:21 could all be given as examples. In the LXX this word is used to translate the Hebrew mashal which covers a wide range of figurative speech, often containing obscure or enigmatic elements.

² tn Grk “an hour.”

³ tn Or “inform you.”

⁴ tn Or “openly.”