John 14:19

KJV

Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

KJV (with Strong's)

Yet {G2089} a little while {G3397}, and {G2532} the world {G2889} seeth {G2334} me {G3165} no more {G3765}; but {G1161} ye {G5210} see {G2334} me {G3165}: because {G3754} I {G1473} live {G2198}, ye {G5210} shall live {G2198} also {G2532}.

Complete Jewish Bible

In just a little while, the world will no longer see me; but you will see me. Because I live, you too will live.

Berean Standard Bible

In a little while the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you also will live.

American Standard Version

Yet a little while, and the world beholdeth me no more; but ye behold me: because I live, ye shall live also.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 14:19 offers profound reassurance to Jesus' disciples during His Farewell Discourse, distinguishing between the world's temporary perception of His physical presence and the believers' enduring, spiritual apprehension of Him. It promises that while the world will soon no longer see Him after His crucifixion and ascension, His followers will continue to "see" Him in a deeper, spiritual sense, and crucially, their future life—both spiritual and eternal—is inextricably linked to His own resurrected life. This verse underscores the unique, living relationship between Christ and His church, founded on His victory over death.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Jesus' extensive Farewell Discourse, spanning [John 13:31](/john/13-31 "John 13:31 - The Beginning of the Farewell Discourse") through [John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Jesus Overcomes the World"). Delivered in the Upper Room just hours before His betrayal and crucifixion, these chapters are Jesus' final, intimate teachings to His disciples. The immediate preceding verses (John 14:1-18) focus on comforting the disciples about His impending departure, promising a "place" for them in His Father's house, and introducing the concept of the Holy Spirit as the "Comforter" or "Advocate." [John 14:18](/john/14-18 "John 14:18 - Jesus Promises Not to Leave Them as Orphans") explicitly states, "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you," which sets the stage for the distinction drawn in verse 19 regarding His presence. The discourse aims to prepare them for His physical absence while assuring them of His continued spiritual presence and empowering them for their future mission.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The disciples, steeped in Jewish messianic expectations, anticipated a visible, earthly kingdom established by their Messiah. Jesus' repeated talk of departure, death, and "going away" would have been deeply unsettling and confusing. They were accustomed to His physical presence, teaching, and miracles. The concept of a spiritual presence, or a life derived from His resurrection, would have been foreign to their immediate understanding. Furthermore, the "world" (Greek: *kosmos*) in John's Gospel often refers to humanity alienated from God, or the fallen system of human society that is hostile to divine truth. This distinction between "the world" and "you" (the disciples) reflects the growing theological chasm between those who accept Jesus as Messiah and those who reject Him, a theme prevalent throughout the Gospel of John, particularly in passages such as [John 1:10-11](/john/1-10-11 "John 1:10-11 - The World Did Not Know Him").

* **Key Themes:** John 14:19 contributes significantly to several major themes within John's Gospel and the broader Farewell Discourse. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Jesus' Departure and Return**, emphasizing that His departure is not an abandonment but a transition to a new form of presence. Secondly, it underscores the **Distinction Between Believers and the World**, a recurring Johannine theme where the world, characterized by darkness and unbelief, cannot perceive spiritual realities, while believers, indwelt by the Spirit, possess spiritual discernment (cf. [John 17:14-16](/john/17-14-16 "John 17:14-16 - Disciples Not of the World")). Thirdly, and most profoundly, it introduces the theme of **Life in Christ**, asserting that the believer's spiritual and eternal life is directly dependent on Jesus' own resurrected life. This concept is foundational to Christian theology, echoing Jesus' earlier declarations like "I am the resurrection, and the life" in [John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life"). The life promised is not merely existence but vibrant, eternal vitality derived from union with the living Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **see (Greek, _theōréō'_):** This verb, used for the world's perception of Jesus ("the world seeth me no more"), implies a physical, objective observation, or to be a spectator of. It suggests a superficial, external viewing. The world will no longer have the opportunity to physically observe Jesus in His earthly, incarnate form after His ascension.
* **world (Greek, _kósmos'_):** In this context, "world" refers to humanity in general, particularly those who are spiritually blind or hostile to God's truth, alienated from Him. It is not the physical creation but the system of human society and values that stands in opposition to God's kingdom. This "world" will lose its physical sight of Jesus.
* **live (Greek, _záō'_):** Used for both Jesus ("I live") and the disciples ("ye shall live also"), this verb signifies not merely biological existence but active, vibrant, and enduring life. For Jesus, it points to His inherent divine life and, in this context, His impending resurrection life. For the disciples, it promises a shared spiritual vitality and eternal existence that flows from their union with the resurrected Christ.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more":** This clause speaks of Jesus' imminent departure from the physical sight of the general public. "A little while" refers to the brief period leading up to His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. The "world," representing unbelieving humanity, will no longer be able to physically observe Him, marking the end of His public ministry and visible presence on earth.
* **"but ye see me":** In stark contrast to the world, Jesus promises His disciples a continued "seeing." This "seeing" transcends mere physical observation. While it certainly includes His post-resurrection appearances, it primarily refers to a deeper, spiritual apprehension and intimate fellowship with Him. This spiritual vision is enabled by the indwelling Holy Spirit, allowing believers to perceive His abiding presence, truth, and power even in His physical absence.
* **"because I live, ye shall live also":** This is the foundational promise of the verse, establishing a profound causal link between Jesus' life and the believers' life. Jesus' resurrection is the guarantee and source of the disciples' spiritual vitality and eternal existence. His victory over death ensures their victory over death. This "life" encompasses not only eternal life in the future but also a vibrant, spiritual life in the present, a shared life with the resurrected Christ that empowers and sustains them.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Contrast** and **Parallelism**. The contrast is sharply drawn between "the world" and "ye" (the disciples), highlighting their differing perceptions of Jesus. The world's inability to "see" Jesus physically is set against the disciples' spiritual capacity to "see" Him. This contrast underscores the spiritual divide between belief and unbelief. **Parallelism** is evident in the structure "the world seeth me no more; but ye see me," creating a clear antithesis. Furthermore, the phrase "because I live, ye shall live also" demonstrates a causal **Cause and Effect** relationship, where Jesus' life is the direct and necessary prerequisite for the disciples' life. This also functions as a form of **Foreshadowing**, pointing to Jesus' resurrection and the subsequent spiritual life of believers.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 14:19 is a cornerstone for understanding the ongoing relationship between Christ and His church after His ascension. It reveals that Jesus' departure was not an abandonment but a transition to a new, more profound form of presence through the Holy Spirit. This spiritual "seeing" and shared life underscore the mystical union between Christ and believers, where His resurrection life becomes the source of their own spiritual vitality and eternal hope. The verse affirms that the believer's life is not contingent on physical sight but on a living faith that apprehends the resurrected Christ, ensuring their security and purpose. This truth has profound implications for Christian assurance, spiritual growth, and the nature of the church's existence in the world.

* [Colossians 3:3-4](/colossians/3-3-4 "Colossians 3:3-4 - Our Life Hidden with Christ")
* [Romans 6:8-11](/romans/6-8-11 "Romans 6:8-11 - New Life in Christ")
* [1 John 5:11-12](/1_john/5-11-12 "1 John 5:11-12 - The Witness of God About His Son")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 14:19 offers immense comfort and profound implications for believers navigating a world that often seems oblivious to spiritual realities. In moments of doubt, loss, or spiritual dryness, this verse reminds us that our life is not dependent on what we can physically see or on the world's fleeting perceptions, but on the enduring, resurrected life of Christ. His life is the guarantee of ours, providing an unshakable foundation for our faith, hope, and future. This truth calls us to live by faith, recognizing His unseen presence through the Holy Spirit, and drawing daily vitality from our union with Him. It encourages us to cultivate a spiritual discernment that transcends worldly understanding, enabling us to perceive His work, His truth, and His love even when circumstances are challenging. Our spiritual vitality, eternal security, and purpose are all rooted in the fact that because He lives, we shall live also—a powerful assurance that transforms our perspective and empowers our walk.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the promise "because I live, ye shall live also" bring comfort and assurance to you in times of uncertainty or grief?**
* **In what ways do you experience "seeing" Jesus spiritually, even though He is not physically present?**
* **How does understanding the distinction between the "world's" perception and a believer's perception of Christ impact your daily interactions and priorities?**
* **What practical steps can you take to more fully appropriate the life that flows from Christ's resurrection into your own spiritual journey?**

### FAQ
**What does Jesus mean by "the world seeth me no more"?**

Answer: By "the world seeth me no more," Jesus refers to His impending physical departure from the earth through His death, resurrection, and ascension. The general populace, particularly those who do not believe in Him, will no longer have the opportunity to physically observe Him as they did during His earthly ministry. This signifies the end of His visible, public presence among humanity in general. It highlights that the world, in its spiritual blindness, will lose the tangible evidence of His presence.

**How do believers "see" Jesus if He is no longer physically present?**

Answer: The "seeing" promised to believers ("but ye see me") is a spiritual apprehension rather than a physical one. While it includes His post-resurrection appearances to His disciples, its primary meaning extends to a deeper, ongoing spiritual perception and intimate fellowship with Him. This spiritual sight is enabled by the indwelling Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promised to send (cf. [John 14:16-17](/john/14-16-17 "John 14:16-17 - The Promise of the the Spirit of Truth")). Through faith, the Holy Spirit illuminates Christ's truth, presence, and power in the hearts and minds of believers, allowing them to truly know Him and experience His abiding presence, even in His physical absence. This is a relationship of intimate knowledge and communion, not mere observation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 14:19 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the reality of Jesus' resurrection and the subsequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit, establishing a new covenant relationship where believers are vitally united with Him. Jesus' declaration, "because I live, ye shall live also," is not merely a comforting word but a profound theological truth rooted in His victory over death. His resurrection from the dead, as described in [Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Declared Son of God by Resurrection"), is the very source and guarantee of the believer's spiritual and eternal life. Through His atoning work on the cross and His glorious resurrection, Christ conquered sin and death, thereby opening the way for humanity to experience true, vibrant life in Him. This life is not simply a future hope but a present reality, as believers are spiritually "raised with Christ" (cf. [Colossians 2:12-13](/colossians/2-12-13 "Colossians 2:12-13 - Buried and Raised with Christ")). The Holy Spirit, the "Spirit of Christ" (cf. [Romans 8:9](/romans/8-9 "Romans 8:9 - Indwelling of the Spirit")), indwells believers, enabling them to "see" Jesus not with physical eyes, but with the eyes of faith, experiencing His abiding presence and drawing from His inexhaustible life. Thus, the promise of [John 14:19](/john/14-19 "John 14:19 - Jesus Lives, We Live Also") points directly to the transformative power of the resurrected Christ, who continues to live and impart His life to all who believe, ensuring their eternal security and empowering their present existence.

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 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 7:33

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

Hebrews 7:25

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

John 6:56

He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.

John 6:58

This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

Colossians 3:3

For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Colossians 3:4

When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.