John 16:16

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

A little while {G3397}, and {G2532} ye shall {G2334} not {G3756} see {G2334} me {G3165}: and {G2532} again {G3825}, a little while {G3397}, and {G2532} ye shall see {G3700} me {G3165}, because {G3754} I {G1473} go {G5217} to {G4314} the Father {G3962}.

Complete Jewish Bible

“In a little while, you will see me no more; then, a little while later, you will see me.”

Berean Standard Bible

In a little while you will see Me no more, and then after a little while you will see Me.”

American Standard Version

A little while, and ye behold me no more; and again a little while, and ye shall see me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In John 16:16, Jesus delivers a cryptic yet profound prophecy to His disciples, foretelling a brief period of His physical absence, immediately followed by a short interval of His visible presence, all explained by His impending return to the Father. This statement, delivered during His Farewell Discourse, serves to prepare His bewildered followers for the traumatic events of His crucifixion and burial, the joyous reality of His resurrection appearances, and the ultimate necessity of His ascension, all integral to the unfolding of God's redemptive plan and the establishment of the New Covenant.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Jesus' extensive [Farewell Discourse](/john/13-31 "John 13:31 - The Farewell Discourse Begins") (John chapters 13-17), delivered to His disciples in the Upper Room on the night before His crucifixion. Throughout this discourse, Jesus is preparing His disciples for His imminent departure, the coming of the Holy Spirit, and the challenges they will face in the world. His words in [John 16:16](/john/16-16 "John 16:16 - Jesus Predicts His Absence and Return") follow a discussion about the Holy Spirit's role ([John 16:7-15](/john/16-7-15 "John 16:7-15 - The Work of the Holy Spirit")) and immediately precede the disciples' bewildered questioning of His meaning ([John 16:17-19](/john/16-17-19 "John 16:17-19 - Disciples Question Jesus")). The cryptic nature of this particular statement reflects Jesus' pedagogical approach, gradually revealing truths that would only fully make sense in light of future events, thereby solidifying their faith after His resurrection.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem during the Passover week, a time of intense religious fervor and Messianic expectation. The disciples, like most Jews of their time, anticipated a Messiah who would establish an earthly kingdom and liberate Israel from Roman rule. Jesus' repeated references to His "going away" and "not seeing Him" directly challenged these deeply ingrained expectations, causing them great distress and confusion. They struggled to reconcile their vision of a conquering King with Jesus' talk of death and departure. The concept of a divine figure returning to the Father was not entirely alien in Jewish thought regarding heavenly beings, but for the Messiah to "go away" in such a manner was profoundly unsettling and counter-intuitive to their understanding of His mission.

* **Key Themes:** John 16:16 contributes significantly to several major themes in John's Gospel. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Sorrow Turning to Joy**. Jesus explicitly states that their sorrow over His departure will be transformed into unbridled joy upon His return ([John 16:20-22](/john/16-20-22 "John 16:20-22 - Sorrow Turned to Joy")). Secondly, it underscores the **Divine Necessity of Jesus' Departure**. His "going to the Father" is not a defeat but a purposeful, pre-ordained step in God's redemptive plan, enabling the sending of the [Holy Spirit](/john/16-7 "John 16:7 - The Holy Spirit, the Comforter"), who would empower them for their mission. Thirdly, the verse foreshadows the **Transition from Physical Presence to Spiritual Understanding**. While the immediate "seeing" refers to His resurrection appearances, it also points to a deeper, spiritual apprehension of Christ through faith, mediated by the Spirit, which would become the normative way of relating to Him after His ascension ([John 14:16-18](/john/14-16-18 "John 14:16-18 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **mikrón (Greek, _mikrón'_):** This word, translated as "a little while," emphasizes the brevity of the periods Jesus describes. It signifies a short space of time or a small degree. In the context of Jesus' prophecy, it underscores that both the period of His physical absence (death and burial) and the subsequent period of His post-resurrection appearances before His ascension were temporary and relatively short, especially when viewed against the backdrop of eternity and the enduring spiritual presence He would establish.
* **theōréō (Greek, _theōréō'_):** Used in the first instance ("ye shall not see me"), this verb means "to be a spectator of," "to discern," or "to perceive." It implies a conscious, attentive observation or experience. When Jesus says they "shall not see" Him, He refers to His death and burial, a period when He would be physically absent from their sight and direct experience, leading to their profound grief and inability to perceive His physical presence.
* **optánomai (Greek, _optánomai'_):** Used in the second instance ("ye shall see me"), this verb means "to gaze with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable," or "to appear." It denotes a more striking, perhaps even miraculous, vision or appearance, differing from a simple observation. This verb choice perfectly captures the nature of Jesus' resurrection appearances, which were unexpected, astonishing, and undeniable manifestations of His living presence to His disciples.
* **hypágō (Greek, _hypágō'_):** Translated as "I go," this verb literally means "to lead oneself under" or "to withdraw/retire (as if sinking out of sight)." It implies a purposeful, often significant, departure or withdrawal. Here, it signifies Jesus' intentional departure from the earthly realm through death and ascension, a necessary movement towards His glorification and return to the Father.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"A little while, and ye shall not see me:"** This clause refers to the period immediately following Jesus' crucifixion. It encompasses His death, burial, and the time He spent in the tomb. For the disciples, this was a period of profound shock, sorrow, and despair, as their hopes for a conquering Messiah seemed to be utterly crushed by His apparent defeat and physical absence.
* **"and again, a little while, and ye shall see me,"** This second clause points to Jesus' resurrection appearances. After His death, He would rise again and appear to His disciples for a period of forty days before His ascension. This "seeing" would transform their sorrow into overwhelming joy and confirm their faith in Him as the resurrected Lord. The use of "a little while" again emphasizes that even these post-resurrection appearances were temporary, leading to His final departure.
* **"because I go to the Father."** This final clause provides the theological explanation and ultimate purpose for both the temporary absence and the subsequent appearance. Jesus' departure to the Father signifies His glorification, the completion of His redemptive work on earth, and His return to the divine glory He shared with the Father before His incarnation. This "going to the Father" is the necessary precursor for the sending of the Holy Spirit and the establishment of the new spiritual relationship believers would have with Him.

#### Literary Devices
John 16:16 employs several significant **Literary Devices**. The most prominent is **Paradox**, as Jesus presents a seemingly contradictory statement: "a little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me." This creates tension and confusion for the disciples, prompting deeper reflection and anticipation of future events. It also functions as a **Prophecy**, a predictive statement about future events that would soon unfold, specifically His death, resurrection, and ascension. The language is somewhat **Veiled** or **Cryptic**, as Jesus does not explicitly state "I will die and then rise again." This veiled language serves to prepare the disciples gradually for truths they are not yet ready to fully comprehend, allowing their understanding to mature with the unfolding of events. Finally, there is a clear **Contrast** established between the sorrow and despair associated with "not seeing" Jesus and the joy and hope that would accompany "seeing" Him again, foreshadowing the ultimate triumph of life over death.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 16:16 is a microcosm of the biblical narrative of suffering, glory, and divine purpose. Theologically, it underscores the necessity of Christ's suffering and death as the path to His glorification and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. His "going to the Father" signifies not only His return to divine glory but also His ascension to His rightful place of authority, from which He would send the Holy Spirit and intercede for His people. This passage transitions the disciples from a dependence on Jesus' physical presence to a deeper, spiritual relationship with Him through the Spirit, a hallmark of the New Covenant. It reveals God's sovereign control over time and events, demonstrating that even periods of apparent defeat are part of His perfect plan, leading to ultimate victory and joy.

* [John 14:18](/john/14-18 "John 14:18 - I will not leave you comfortless")
* [John 20:19-20](/john/20-19-20 "John 20:19-20 - Jesus Appears to the Disciples")
* [Acts 1:9-11](/acts/1-9-11 "Acts 1:9-11 - The Ascension of Jesus")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 16:16 offers profound comfort and enduring perspective for believers navigating the complexities of life. It reminds us that periods of spiritual darkness, confusion, or the felt absence of God's tangible presence are often temporary, serving a greater divine purpose within His sovereign plan. Just as the disciples' profound sorrow over Jesus' departure was transformed into overwhelming joy at His resurrection, we are encouraged to persevere through trials, trusting that difficulties and periods of waiting will ultimately give way to renewed hope, clarity, and a deeper understanding of God's faithfulness. This verse cultivates a resilient faith that looks beyond immediate circumstances to the certainty of God's promises, knowing that even in our "not seeing," He is working all things for our good and His glory. It also points forward to the ultimate "seeing" of Christ at His glorious return, a source of enduring hope that anchors our souls in anticipation of eternal communion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you typically respond when God's presence feels distant or when you experience a period of spiritual dryness?**
* **What "little while" are you currently enduring in your life—a season of waiting, difficulty, or unanswered prayer—and how can this verse offer you hope and perspective?**
* **How does understanding that Jesus' departure to the Father was for a divine purpose deepen your trust in His plan for your own life, even when it involves periods of uncertainty?**

### FAQ
**What did Jesus mean by "a little while" in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "a little while" is used twice, referring to two distinct, yet brief, periods. The first "little while" ("ye shall not see me") refers to the short time between Jesus' crucifixion and His resurrection—a period of approximately three days when He was physically absent from His disciples. The second "little while" ("ye shall see me") refers to the forty days of His post-resurrection appearances to His disciples before His final ascension into heaven. Both periods are described as "little while" to emphasize their temporary nature in the grand scheme of God's eternal plan and the enduring spiritual relationship He would establish.

**Why did Jesus speak so cryptically to His disciples about His departure and return?**

Answer: Jesus often spoke in parables and veiled language to His disciples (and the crowds) for several reasons. In this context, speaking cryptically allowed Him to prepare them gradually for events they were not yet ready to fully comprehend or emotionally process. Had He explicitly detailed His crucifixion and resurrection beforehand, their immediate grief and confusion might have been overwhelming. By speaking in a way that would only be fully understood after the events unfolded, Jesus was also laying a foundation for their future faith and understanding. Once the resurrection occurred, His words would suddenly make perfect sense, solidifying their belief in His divine authority and the truth of His prophecies, as seen in [John 2:22](/john/2-22 "John 2:22 - Disciples Remember His Words").

**Does this verse relate to Jesus' Second Coming?**

Answer: While the immediate context of [John 16:16](/john/16-16 "John 16:16 - Jesus Predicts His Absence and Return") primarily refers to Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension, the underlying principle of a temporary absence followed by a glorious return certainly resonates with the hope of His [Second Coming](/john/14-3 "John 14:3 - Jesus Promises His Return"). The disciples' initial "seeing" was physical, but Jesus later emphasized a spiritual "seeing" through faith. The ultimate "seeing" of Christ by all believers will be at His glorious return, when He comes again to establish His eternal kingdom, as promised in passages like [Acts 1:11](/acts/1-11 "Acts 1:11 - Jesus Will Return").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 16:16 is profoundly Christ-centered, revealing the essential trajectory of Jesus' redemptive mission. His "going to the Father" is not merely a physical departure but the necessary culmination of His earthly work, leading to His glorification and enthronement at God's right hand. This passage foreshadows the victory of the cross and the empty tomb, demonstrating that Christ's suffering was not an end but the means by which He secured salvation. The "seeing me" refers to His resurrection, which is the cornerstone of Christian faith, proving His divine power over sin and death ([Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Declared Son of God by Resurrection")). His ascension, implied by "I go to the Father," signifies His role as our High Priest, interceding for us eternally ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Priesthood")), and the sending of the [Holy Spirit](/john/16-7 "John 16:7 - The Advantage of Jesus' Departure"), who would empower believers to "see" Him spiritually and live in His presence. Thus, John 16:16 encapsulates the entire Christ-event: His sacrificial death, triumphant resurrection, glorious ascension, and the promise of His ongoing spiritual presence and ultimate return, all for the purpose of bringing humanity into fellowship with God through Him.

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.

Acts 1:3

To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

John 14:18

¶ I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

John 14:24

He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

Acts 10:40

Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;

Acts 10:41

Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, [even] to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

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.