John 13:33

KJV

Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.

KJV (with Strong's)

Little children {G5040}, yet {G2089} a little while {G3397} I am {G1510} with {G3326} you {G5216}. Ye shall seek {G2212} me {G3165}: and {G2532} as {G2531} I said {G2036} unto the Jews {G2453},{G3754} Whither {G3699} I {G1473} go {G5217}, ye {G5210} cannot {G3756}{G1410} come {G2064}; so {G2532} now {G737} I say {G3004} to you {G5213}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Little children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and, as I said to the Judeans, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ now I say it to you as well.

Berean Standard Bible

Little children, I am with you only a little while longer. You will look for Me, and as I said to the Jews, so now I say to you: ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’

American Standard Version

Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say unto you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 13:33 captures Jesus' tender farewell to His disciples, delivered in the intimate setting of the Last Supper. He announces His imminent departure, a profound separation that will lead them to seek Him, echoing a similar statement made to the unbelieving Jews, but with a distinct nuance for His beloved followers, signaling a temporary physical absence before a future reunion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a crucial part of Jesus' [Farewell Discourse](/john/13-17 "John 13-17 - Jesus' Farewell Discourse"), which spans [John 13](/john/13 "John 13 - The Last Supper and Foot Washing") through [John 17](/john/17 "John 17 - Jesus' High Priestly Prayer"). It immediately follows Judas's departure to betray Jesus ([John 13:30](/john/13-30 "John 13:30 - Judas Departs")). Having just washed their feet as an act of humble service ([John 13:1-11](/john/13-1-11 "John 13:1-11 - Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet")) and identified His betrayer, Jesus now turns His full attention to the remaining eleven, preparing them for the profound and difficult transition of His physical absence. His words here are not a casual statement but a direct forewarning and comfort, setting the stage for the deep theological teachings and promises that follow concerning the Holy Spirit, His return, and the nature of their relationship with Him.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the Upper Room in Jerusalem, during the Passover meal, a highly significant Jewish festival commemorating liberation from slavery in Egypt. This context amplifies the gravity of Jesus' words, as the Passover meal itself was a symbol of deliverance and covenant. For the disciples, who had left everything to follow Jesus, His physical presence was central to their understanding of the Kingdom. The idea of their Messiah leaving them would have been deeply unsettling, challenging their messianic expectations which often envisioned a conquering king establishing an earthly kingdom. Their cultural understanding of a teacher-disciple relationship involved constant physical proximity and instruction, making this separation a radical shift.

* **Key Themes:** [John 13:33](/john/13-33 "John 13:33 - Jesus' Imminent Departure") contributes to several overarching themes in John's Gospel. The theme of **Imminent Departure** is central, signaling the approaching culmination of Jesus' earthly ministry and His return to the Father. This departure is paradoxically linked to the theme of **Divine Glory**, as Jesus' "going away" is ultimately His glorification through the cross and resurrection ([John 13:31-32](/john/13-31-32 "John 13:31-32 - Jesus' Glorification")). The phrase "Ye shall seek me" introduces the theme of **Sorrow and Longing**, anticipating the disciples' grief and initial confusion, but also their eventual understanding and spiritual seeking. Finally, the tender address "Little children" highlights the theme of **Paternal Love and Care**, emphasizing Jesus' deep affection and pastoral concern for His followers, even as He delivers difficult news, contrasting sharply with His earlier, more confrontational statements to the unbelieving [Jews in John 7:34](/john/7-34 "John 7:34 - Jesus' Statement to the Jews") and [John 8:21](/john/8-21 "John 8:21 - Jesus' Statement to the Jews").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Little children (Greek, _tekníon'_):** This diminutive form of "child" (from _teknon_) conveys deep affection, intimacy, and tenderness. It emphasizes Jesus' paternal care and the disciples' spiritual dependence on Him, akin to a loving father addressing his beloved offspring. It's a term of endearment, rarely used by Jesus in the Gospels, making its appearance here particularly significant.
* **yet (Greek, _éti'_):** This adverb signifies a very brief remaining time, emphasizing the immediacy and urgency of Jesus' impending physical departure. It highlights the brevity of His remaining earthly presence with them, underscoring the preciousness of these final moments.
* **cannot (Greek, _ou dýnamai'_):** This combination of the absolute negative particle (_ou_) and the verb "to be able" (_dýnamai_) indicates a definite impossibility. For the disciples, it means they are physically unable to follow Him to the Father's presence *at that specific moment*. This is distinct from the spiritual inability of the unbelieving Jews, implying a temporary physical separation rather than a permanent spiritual one.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Little children, yet a little while I am with you.":** Jesus begins with a term of deep affection, "Little children" (_teknia_), emphasizing His tender, paternal love for His disciples. The phrase "yet a little while" underscores the brevity of His remaining physical presence, creating a sense of urgency and impending separation. This opening sets a tone of intimate, yet somber, farewell.
* **"Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come;":** This clause reveals the disciples' anticipated reaction to Jesus' departure – they will "seek" Him, implying a longing for His physical presence that will be met with His absence. Jesus then draws a parallel to His earlier statements to the unbelieving Jews, where He declared they could not come where He was going. This parallel highlights the shared physical inability to follow Him to His divine destination.
* **"so now I say to you.":** This concluding phrase explicitly applies the previous statement to the disciples. While the words are the same as those spoken to the Jews, the *context* and *meaning* are profoundly different. For the Jews, it signified a permanent spiritual separation due to their rejection of Him. For the disciples, it implies a temporary physical inability to follow Him *at that moment*, but with the underlying promise of a future reunion and dwelling with Him, as elaborated in the subsequent chapters of the Farewell Discourse.

#### Literary Devices
John 13:33 employs several powerful literary devices. The opening phrase, **Diminutive/Term of Endearment** ("Little children" / _teknia_), immediately establishes a tone of profound intimacy and paternal affection, softening the impact of the difficult news that follows. There is a clear **Parallelism** between Jesus' statement to the Jews and His statement to the disciples, creating a rhetorical link that invites comparison and contrast. While the words are identical, the **Irony** lies in the differing implications: for the Jews, it signifies spiritual judgment and permanent separation; for the disciples, it foreshadows a temporary physical absence that will ultimately lead to a deeper spiritual presence through the Holy Spirit and a future reunion. This nuanced repetition also functions as **Foreshadowing**, preparing the disciples for the traumatic events of His crucifixion and the subsequent period of His physical absence, while simultaneously hinting at the future comfort and presence of the Spirit.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 13:33 profoundly shapes the disciples' understanding of Jesus' departure, transitioning them from a purely physical expectation of the Messiah to a spiritual reality. Jesus' departure is not an abandonment but a necessary step in the divine plan for their glorification and the coming of the Holy Spirit. His going "where they cannot come" at that moment is essential for His ascension to the Father, from whom He will send the Comforter to empower them for their mission. This temporary physical separation underscores the shift from a discipleship based on physical proximity to one founded on spiritual indwelling and faith in His invisible presence. It also highlights the unique nature of Jesus' journey back to the Father, a path only He could tread in His atoning work.

* [John 7:34](/john/7-34 "John 7:34 - Jesus' Statement to the Jews")
* [John 14:3](/john/14-3 "John 14:3 - Jesus' Promise to Return")
* [John 16:7](/john/16-7 "John 16:7 - The Necessity of Jesus' Departure for the Spirit")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 13:33 offers profound comfort and guidance for believers navigating periods of uncertainty, loss, or apparent divine absence. Jesus' tender address, "Little children," reminds us of His enduring, intimate love and paternal care, even when He delivers difficult truths or when circumstances seem dire. His imminent departure, though painful for the disciples, was a necessary step in God's redemptive plan, leading to the greater empowerment of the Holy Spirit and the establishment of the Church. This teaches us to trust in God's sovereign purposes, even when we cannot fully grasp them in the moment. Our "seeking" Him in times of perceived absence should not be in despair, but in hopeful anticipation of His spiritual presence and promised return. It calls us to embrace a faith that transcends physical sight, relying on His Word and the indwelling Spirit for guidance and comfort. Just as Jesus prepared His disciples for a new phase of their walk, this verse encourages us to be open to God's transformative work in our lives, even when it involves challenging transitions or periods of waiting.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I respond when God's presence feels distant or when circumstances challenge my understanding of His plan?**
* **In what ways does Jesus' tender address, "Little children," comfort me during times of spiritual or emotional vulnerability?**
* **How can I better prepare myself and others for difficult transitions or periods of waiting, trusting in God's ultimate purposes?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus use the same phrase ("Whither I go, ye cannot come") for both the Jews and His disciples?**

Answer: While the exact words are the same, the meaning and implication differ significantly based on the audience and context. When Jesus said this to the unbelieving [Jews in John 7:34](/john/7-34 "John 7:34 - Jesus' Statement to the Jews") and [John 8:21](/john/8-21 "John 8:21 - Jesus' Statement to the Jews"), it was a statement of judgment and permanent spiritual separation. Their rejection of Him meant they could not follow Him to the Father's presence, implying eternal condemnation. For His disciples in [John 13:33](/john/13-33 "John 13:33 - Jesus' Imminent Departure"), the meaning is one of temporary physical inability. They could not accompany Him to the cross, resurrection, and ascension *at that moment*. However, this temporary separation was for their ultimate good, leading to the sending of the Holy Spirit ([John 16:7](/john/16-7 "John 16:7 - The Necessity of Jesus' Departure for the Spirit")) and the promise of a future reunion where they *would* be with Him forever ([John 14:3](/john/14-3 "John 14:3 - Jesus' Promise to Return")). It highlights the distinct spiritual states and destinies of the two groups.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 13:33, though seemingly a declaration of absence, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the very purpose of Jesus' departure. His "going away" was not an abandonment but the necessary prelude to His glorification through the cross and resurrection, which secured salvation for humanity. The path He took, "whither I go," was the path of atonement, a journey only the sinless [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") could tread to reconcile humanity to the Father. His ascension to the Father's right hand, where the disciples "cannot come" at that moment, inaugurated His heavenly intercessory ministry ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession")) and paved the way for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit ([Acts 2:33](/acts/2-33 "Acts 2:33 - The Holy Spirit Poured Out")). Thus, His physical absence led to a more profound spiritual presence, as the Spirit now indwells believers, guiding them into all truth ([John 16:13](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit of Truth")). The "seeking" of Jesus by the disciples is ultimately fulfilled in their spiritual union with Him through faith, culminating in the glorious promise of His return to take them to be with Him forever ([John 14:3](/john/14-3 "John 14:3 - Jesus' Promise to Return")), fulfilling the deepest longing for His presence.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 7:33

Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and [then] I go unto him that sent me.

John 7:34

Ye shall seek me, and shall not find [me]: and where I am, [thither] ye cannot come.

John 16:16

¶ A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.

John 16:22

And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

1 John 2:1

¶ My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

John 8:21

¶ Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.

John 8:24

I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am [he], ye shall die in your sins.