Contradictions and Paradoxes in John 16:20

Check out Contradictions Catalog of John 16:20 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts John 16:20. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to John, Jesus is telling his friends that even though they will be very sad soon and the world will be happy, one day their sadness will turn into happiness. It's like when you feel sad and then something wonderful happens to make you smile again.

John 16:20: Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

Contradiction with Ecclesiastes 7:3

Contradicts the idea of sorrow turning to joy by stating that sorrow is better than laughter.

Ecclesiastes 7:3: Sorrow [is] better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. [Sorrow: or, Anger]

Contradiction with James 4:9

Encourages mourning and heaviness rather than joy, opposing the transformation of sorrow into joy.

James 4:9: Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and [your] joy to heaviness.

Contradiction with Proverbs 14:13

Claims that laughter can be accompanied by sorrow, suggesting that joy does not necessarily follow sorrow.

Proverbs 14:13: Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth [is] heaviness.

Contradiction with Lamentations 5:15

Expresses continual sorrow with joy having ceased, opposing the idea of eventual joy.

Lamentations 5:15: The joy of our heart is ceased; our dance is turned into mourning.

Contradiction with Jeremiah 8:18

Speaks of a sorrow that is overwhelming and doesn't transition to joy, which contradicts the notion in John 16:20.

Jeremiah 8:18: [When] I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart [is] faint in me. [in: Heb. upon]

Paradox #1

The contradiction in John 16:20 could lie in the idea that something causing deep sorrow for some can bring joy to others. This could be seen as conflicting with the idea of empathy and shared joy and sorrow, where typically, joy is expected to come from positive, rather than negative or painful, experiences for others.

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