What Does John 16:5 Mean in the King James?

But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?

John 16:5 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The one who sends is also the destination, so this departure is a return rather than a disappearance.

THE MEANING

Your attention can narrow around what is leaving until its destination drops out of view. Yet this verse holds both ends of the movement together: the one who goes is going to the one who sent him. The unasked question reveals how easily departure can hide its direction.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The verse undoes the belief that departure is only absence: here, the one who leaves is moving toward the very one who sent him.

THE ROOT

πέμψαντα

pempsanta

GROWS FROM

πέμπω

pempō

to send, dispatch

“Sent” is ⁨πέμψαντα⁩ (pempsanta), a form of ⁨πέμπω⁩ (pempō, to send). Paired with “I go” and “to him,” it makes the departure directional: he goes toward the one whose sending began the movement.

ALSO GROWS

ekpempō: send out, dispatch

ἐκπέμπω

This compound carries the sending outward, showing how the same word family links sending with directed movement.

apopempō: send away, dismiss

ἀποπέμπω

This compound can name movement away from a sender; here, the verse names the sender as the destination.

THE PATTERN

Being sent gives movement a direction and carries it into purpose.

Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.

Exodus 3:10 · KJVThe sending gives Moses a destination and makes his departure part of a larger movement.

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Isaiah 6:8 · KJVSending and going meet in one response: the one who goes answers the one who sends.

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

John 20:21 · KJVThe sending continues outward, giving others a direction that begins with the Father.

THE THREAD

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

John 20:21 · KJV

The Greek verb ⁨πέμπω⁩ (pempō, to send) names the one who sent Jesus here and appears again in “send I you.” The same movement from sender to sent continues outward, so departure carries direction beyond the one who first goes.

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