Commentary from the Bible Passages - John 16:20–23

• The hour of Christ’s Passion is compared to the pangs of childbirth. The disciples, like a woman in labor, will experience extreme distress that soon gives way to joy when Christ is reborn to a new life on Easter morning.

SOURCE: https://www.logos.com/product/29516/ignatius-catholic-study-bible-new-testament-genesis-exodus-and-the-rsv2ce

• image of the woman giving birth (frequently used in the Old Testament to express intense pain) is also often used, particularly by the prophets, to mean the birth of the new messianic people—the Church

SOURCE: https://www.logos.com/product/38298/the-navarre-bible-saint-johns-gospel

• the words, “in that day,” may embrace the whole time after His Resurrection, with special reference to the mystery of Pentecost. Then, enlightened partly by His own teaching, and partly by the Holy Ghost, they will not require to ask any questions about the matter, regarding which they were anxious to receive information now, before His death and the descent of the Holy Ghost.

SOURCE: https://www.logos.com/product/26948/an-exposition-of-the-gospel-of-st-john