John 16:4
But I have said these things to you so that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you about them. I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you — Jesus offers foreknowledge as a gift to sustain faith when persecution arrives. The disciples will not be able to say, "This came without warning; Jesus did not prepare us." Rather, they will recall his words and know that he saw their suffering before it came and thought it important enough to warn them. The restriction "I did not say these things to you from the beginning" acknowledges that in the earlier period of ministry, Jesus' presence made direct threat unnecessary; but now as the end approaches, the disciples must face the reality of what lies ahead.