What does it mean that your sorrow will turn to joy (John 16:20)?

In John 16:20, Jesus makes the following promise to His disciples: “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy” (ESV). This promise comes in the context of Jesus’ imminent death and the subsequent despair that His disciples would experience. When Jesus says that “your sorrow will turn into joy,” He is not speaking about a momentary experience—it’s more than a fleeting bubble of cheer. The joy He promises is full and abiding, a state of blessedness that overcomes troublesome circumstances.

Jesus’ promise that “your sorrow will turn to joy,” acknowledges the suffering that His disciples were going to face. There would be weeping and lamentation when He died. Their deep mourning would be the result of the apparent loss of their Lord and the dashing of their messianic expectations. But Jesus promises that their sorrow will end; God would transpose their minor chords into major. They would be able to sing along with David, “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5).

Jesus illustrates the disciples’ move from sorrow to joy: “A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy” (John 16:21–22). This comparison helps His disciples understand that intensely sorrowful moments can give way to new beginnings and enduring joy.

The promise that “your sorrow will turn into joy” is not just a future hope; it is a present reality. In fact, this promise is realized the moment we accept Christ as Lord and Savior. Believers are regenerated by the Holy Spirit (John 3:3, 5; Titus 3:5), who renews our hearts and minds. In 2 Corinthians 4:17, Paul puts his trials in perspective: “This light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (ESV). Believers may experience a “light momentary affliction,” but it is nothing compared to the glory that shall be revealed in us (see Romans 8:18).

Jesus’ assurance that “your sorrow will turn into joy” allows us to live in hope. The inevitability of worldly trials and tribulations is outmatched by the certainty of everlasting hope and joy. Jesus’ promise encourages believers to persevere through challenges, knowing that temporary griefs will give way to permanent joy. We should view earthly struggles through the lens of God’s promises, firmly trusting that God is working all things for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28).

In contrast to fleeting worldly joy that depends on external factors, the joy found in Christ stems from the certainty of His resurrection. In Him, we possess profound and enduring joy, aware that He has triumphantly conquered sin, death, and the devil: “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55). Seeing the resurrected Lord brought the disciples immense joy, a preview of the ultimate joy we will experience in heaven when we meet God directly: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9, NLT). On that day, Jesus’ promise that “your sorrow will turn to joy” will be perfectly fulfilled.