After the Last Supper, after Jesus tells the apostles they will get opportunities if they ask in his name.
John 16:25 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall show you plainly of the Father.
John 16:25 Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.
These things I have relayed to you in comparisons. A time shows up when I will no longer relay to you in comparisons. Instead, I will report to you everything said about the Father.
The humor here is in the contrast between two similar-sounding nouns. The first noun, translated as "proverbs/figuratively" means "comparisons." The second noun translated as "plainly" means "everything flowing," "everything said," that also means "freedom of speech."
There is another contrast between the two verbs. The first verb translated as "speak" means "relay," passing information from a source to others. It is in the past perfect tense, an action finished. The second verb translated as "show/tell" means "bringing news" or "reporting." This is in the future tense. This is another way of passing on information. In all the previous verses using this verb, this type of communication has been from the "Spirit of Truth." The use of this verb with the noun meaning "freedom of speech" noun indicates that Jesus is not free to report everything that he knows during his life.
Jesus was restricted in what he could tell us.
Ταῦτα ἐν παροιμίαις λελάληκα ὑμῖν:
These things in comparisons. I have relayed to you
ἔρχεται ὥρα ὅτε οὐκέτι ἐν παροιμίαις λαλήσω ὑμῖν
it shows up a season when no longer in comparisons. will I relayed to you
ἀλλὰ παρρησίᾳ περὶ τοῦ πατρὸς ἀπαγγελῶ ὑμῖν.
Instead, everything said about the Father I will report to you
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "speak" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "but" existed in the KJV Greek source but not the source we use today.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "the" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "time" is not the common word usually translated as "time."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "speak" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "but" is not the common word usually translated as "but."
- WF -- Wrong Form - The "plainly" is not an adverb, but a noun.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "of" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "though" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "speak" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "these things" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "to you" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "in" is not shown in the English translation.
- WF -- Wrong Form - The "figuratively" is not an adverb, but a noun.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "time" is not the common word usually translated as "time."
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "use" should be something more like "relay."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "to you" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "in" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "adages" is not shown in the English translation.
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "this kind of language" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "but" is not the common word usually translated as "but."
- WF -- Wrong Form - The "plainly" is not an adverb, but a noun.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "tell" is not the common word usually translated as "tell."
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "my" should be something more like "the."
These -- The "these" is a pronoun that can mean "this" or "that," the nearer or the further depending on usage. It follows the noun so it repeats the idea of the noun as "this one." It is often used in the neuter plural to refer to "these things." As an adverb it can mean "therefore" and "that is why."
things - There is no word, "things," in the Greek source, but this word comes from the neuter, plural form of the previous adjective.
have -- This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
spoken -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "spoken" is not the ordinary "to say," "to talk," "to tell," or "to speak" in Greek. This word means "idle chatter," "gossip," and "the proclamations of an oracle." Jesus uses it to capture the idea of "passing on." "conveying," or "relaying" information. When there isn't an object, "transmit" captures the idea of being a conduit rather than a source of information.
unto -- This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.
you -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc. As the object of a preposition, this form implies no movement, but in a fixed position or events occur at a specified time or while the action was being performed.
in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here. With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."
proverbs: -- The noun translated as "proverbs" means "proverbs," "sayings," "adages," and "comparisons." It is only used by Jesus in this one verse. It is unrelated to the Greek word translated as "parable."
but -- (OS) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as "but" in the source we use today but it does exist in the source that the KJV translators used.
the -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "the" in the Greek source.
time - (CW) The word translated as "time" means a period of time equal to the one-twelfth part of the daylight, like an "hour." More generally, it means a period of time, like a "season." It is not the Greek word for "time."
cometh, -- The word translated as "come" primarily means "to start out" but Christ usually uses it to mean "come" but not always. It indicates movement, especially its beginning, without indicating a direction toward or away from anything, so it works either as "start," "come," or "go," but it is more like our phrase "being underway." Our English word "show up" captures both the "start" and "come" ideas. See this article for more.
when - "When" is from an adverb/conjunction that means "when," "as when," "at the time when," and "sometimes."
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
no more -- "No more" is an adverb that means "no more," "no longer," "no further" and generally, "not now."
speak -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "speak" is not the ordinary "to say," "to talk," "to tell," or "to speak" in Greek. This word means "idle chatter," "gossip," and "the proclamations of an oracle." Jesus uses it to capture the idea of "passing on." "conveying," or "relaying" information. When there isn't an object, "transmit" captures the idea of being a conduit rather than a source of information.
unto -- This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.
you -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc. As the object of a preposition, this form implies no movement, but in a fixed position or events occur at a specified time or while the action was being performed.
in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here. With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."
proverbs: -- The noun translated as "proverbs" means "proverbs," "sayings," "adages," and "comparisons." It is only used by Jesus in this one verse. It is unrelated to the Greek word translated as "parable."
but -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead," "but instead,"or "rather." It is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise." Jesus often uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, "not this," with a positive one, "instead this."
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
show - "Show" is a verb that means to "carry back tidings", "to report", "tell," and "proclaim." From the Greek word for "angels" that means "messengers." This is uncommon verb that Jesus only uses five times.
you -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc. As the object of a preposition, this form implies no movement, but in a fixed position or events occur at a specified time or while the action was being performed.
plainly -- (WF) The word translated as "plainly" is not an adverb but a noun meaning "outspokeness" and "freedom of speech." It literally means "all gushing" with a sense of flowing language or ideas.
of - (CW) The Greek word translated as "of" means "around" when referring to a place, but in referring to a subject, it means "about," "concerning," "on account of," and "in regard to." This is the way Jesus usually uses it. It is not the word form usually translated as "of."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
Father. -- "Father" is the Greek noun that means "father" or any male ancestor so "forefathers." It is the word that Christ uses to address his own Father.
Though -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "though" in the Greek source.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
have -- This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past.
been -- This helping verb indicates a progressive tense, which doesn't exist in Greek but which can smooth the flow of English sentences.
speaking -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "speaking " is not the ordinary "to say," "to talk," "to tell," or "to speak" in Greek. This word means "idle chatter," "gossip," and "the proclamations of an oracle." Jesus uses it to capture the idea of "passing on." "conveying," or "relaying" information. When there isn't an object, "transmit" captures the idea of being a conduit rather than a source of information.
missing "these things" -- (MW) The untranslated word "these" is a pronoun that can mean "this" or "that," the nearer or the further depending on usage. It follows the noun so it repeats the idea of the noun as "this one." It is often used in the neuter plural to refer to "these things." As an adverb it can mean "therefore" and "that is why."
missing "to you" -- (MW) The untranslated word "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc. As the object of a preposition, this form implies no movement, but in a fixed position or events occur at a specified time or while the action was being performed.
missing "in" -- (MW) The untranslated word "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here. With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."
figuratively: -- (WF) The noun translated as "proverbs" means "proverbs," "sayings," "adages," and "comparisons." It is only used by Jesus in this one verse. It is unrelated to the Greek word translated as "parable." It is not an adverb.
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
time - (CW) The word translated as "time" means a period of time equal to the one-twelfth part of the daylight, like an "hour." More generally, it means a period of time, like a "season." It is not the Greek word for "time."
is -- This helping verb indicates the present tense of the verb. It is used here to form the present, progressive tense, which doesn't exist in Greek but which can smooth the flow of English sentences.
coming -- The word translated as "come" primarily means "to start out" but Christ usually uses it to mean "come" but not always. It indicates movement, especially its beginning, without indicating a direction toward or away from anything, so it works either as "start," "come," or "go," but it is more like our phrase "being underway." Our English word "show up" captures both the "start" and "come" ideas. See this article for more.
when - "When" is from an adverb/conjunction that means "when," "as when," "at the time when," and "sometimes."
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
will -- This helping verb "will " indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
no longer-- "No longer" is an adverb that means "no more," "no longer," "no further" and generally, "not now."
use - (WW) The Greek word translated as "use" is not the ordinary "to say," "to talk," "to tell," or "to speak" in Greek. This word means "idle chatter," "gossip," and "the proclamations of an oracle." Jesus uses it to capture the idea of "passing on." "conveying," or "relaying" information. When there isn't an object, "transmit" captures the idea of being a conduit rather than a source of information.
missing "to you" -- (MW) The untranslated word "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc. As the object of a preposition, this form implies no movement, but in a fixed position or events occur at a specified time or while the action was being performed.
missing "in" -- (MW) The untranslated word "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here. With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."
missing "adages" -- (MW) The untranslated word "proverbs" means "proverbs," "sayings," "adages," and "comparisons." It is only used by Jesus in this one verse. It is unrelated to the Greek word translated as "parable."
this kind of language -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "this kind of language" in the Greek source.
but -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead," "but instead,"or "rather." It is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise." Jesus often uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, "not this," with a positive one, "instead this."
will -- This helping verb "will " indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
tell - (CW) "Tell" is a verb that means to "carry back tidings", "to report", "tell," and "proclaim." From the Greek word for "angels" that means "messengers." This is an uncommon verb that Jesus only uses five times. It is not the common word translated as "tell."
you -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc. As the object of a preposition, this form implies no movement, but in a fixed position or events occur at a specified time or while the action was being performed.
plainly -- (WF) The word translated as "plainly" is not an adverb but a noun meaning "outspokenness" and "freedom of speech." It literally means "all gushing" with a sense of flowing language or ideas.
about - The Greek word translated as "about " means "around" when referring to a place, but in referring to a subject, it means "about," "concerning," "on account of," and "in regard to." This is the way Jesus usually uses it.
my -- (WW) The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article; without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
Father. -- "Father" is the Greek noun that means "father" or any male ancestor so "forefathers." It is the word that Christ uses to address his own Father.
Ταῦτα[96 verses](adj pl neut acc) "These things" is tauta, which is a referring pronoun meaning "these," "this," "that," and "here." It can mean the nearer or the further depending on usage. As an adverb it can mean "therefore" and "that is why."
ἐν [413 verses](prep) "In" is en, which means, with a dative object, "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," "during," and "with." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." Referring to time, it means. "in the course of" or "during."
παροιμίαις [1 verse](noun pl fem dat) "Proverbs" is from paroimia, which means "proverb", "maxim," and "comparison."
λελάληκα [49 verses](1st sg perf ind act) "I have spoken" is laleo, which means "to talk," "to speak" "to prattle," "to chat," and [for oracles] "to proclaim." It also means "chatter" as the opposite of articulate speech. However, Jesus seems to use in in the sense of "relaying" information gained from another.
ὑμῖν [289 verses](pron 2nd pl dat) "To you" is humin the plural form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you."
ἔρχεται [198 verses](3rd sg pres ind mp) "Come" is erchomai, which means "to start," "to set out," "to come," "to go," and any kind of motion. It means both "to go" on a journey and "to arrive" at a place.
ὥρα [37 verses](noun sg fem nom ) "Time" is hora, which means "any period," "season," (especially springtime), "year' (generally), "climate" (as determined by seasons), "duration," "the twelve equal parts into which the period of daylight was divided," "the fitting time" (for a task).
ὅτε [19 verses](adv/conj) "When" is hote, which means "when," "as when," "at the time when," and "sometimes."
οὐκέτι [17 verses](adv) "No more" is ouketi, which means "no more," "no longer," "no further" and generally, "not now."
ἐν [413 verses](prep) "In" is en, which means, with a dative object, "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," "during," and "with." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." Referring to time, it means. "in the course of" or "during." -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here. With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."
παροιμίαις [1 verse](noun pl fem dat) "Proverbs" is from paroimia, which means "proverb", "maxim," and "comparison." -- The noun translated as "proverbs" means "proverbs," "sayings," "adages," and comparisons. It is only used by Jesus in this one verse. It is unrelated to the Greek word meaning "parable."
λαλήσω [49 verses](1st sg fut ind act) I shall...speak" is laleo, which means "to talk," "to speak" "to prattle," "to chat," and [for oracles] "to proclaim." It also means "chatter" as the opposite of articulate speech. However, Jesus seems to use in in the sense of "relaying" information gained from another.
ὑμῖν [289 verses](pron 2nd pl dat) "To you" is humin the plural form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you." -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc. As the object of a preposition, this form implies no movement, but in a fixed position or events occur at a specified time or while the action was being performed.
ἀλλὰ [154 verses](conj) "But" is alla, which means "instead," "otherwise," "but," "still," "at least," "except," "yet," nevertheless," "rather," "moreover," and "nay."
παρρησίᾳ [2 verses] (adv) "Plainly" is parresia, which means "outspokenness", "frankness," and "freedom of speech." It is from the prefix pas, meaning "everything" and the root, rheo, meaing to "flow" or "utter."
περὶ [73 verses](prep) "Of" is peri, which means "round about (Place)," "around," "about," "concerning," "on account of," "in regard to," "before," "above," "beyond," and "all around." With the genitive, "round about" of place, "for" or "about" something," with verbs of knowing, "about" and "concerning," "before or "beyond," of superiority With the dative, "round about" of clothes, "around" in holding, "for" or "about" a struggle, "on account of" and "by reason of" a cause. With the accusative, "around" in movement, caring and generally of relationships "about," "about" of time. As an adverb "around," "about," also, "near, by," and "exceedingly" in relationships.
τοῦ [821 verses](article sg masc gen) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
πατρὸς [191 verses](noun sg masc gen) "The Father" is pater, which means "father," "grandfather," "author," "parent," and "forefathers."
ἀπαγγελῶ [5 verses](3rd sg fut ind act) "Show" is from anaggello, which means "carry tidings of", "report", "tell of," and "proclaim."
ὑμῖν [289 verses](pron 2nd pl dat) "To you" is humin the plural form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you." -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc. As the object of a preposition, this form implies no movement, but in a fixed position or events occur at a specified time or while the action was being performed.
A play of "parables" against "plainly." In Greek, the two words start and the same παροιμίαις (paroimia), parables, versus παρρησίᾳ parresia, plainly.