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.

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}.

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

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

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

Context

This profound statement from Jesus is found within His extensive Farewell Discourse (John chapters 13-17), delivered to His disciples in the Upper Room on the night before His crucifixion. The disciples were confused and distressed by Jesus' repeated references to His impending departure. They struggled to grasp the full implications of His words, particularly that He would soon be taken from them. In this verse, Jesus offers a cryptic yet comforting prophecy, hinting at His death, resurrection, and eventual ascension, aiming to prepare their hearts for the dramatic events about to unfold.

Key Themes

  • Temporary Separation and Joyful Reunion: The phrase "a little while, and ye shall not see me" refers to Jesus' imminent death and burial, a period of profound sorrow for His followers. The subsequent "and again, a little while, and ye shall see me" points directly to His resurrection appearances to them. This theme emphasizes that sorrow is temporary and will be replaced by joy.
  • Divine Purpose in Departure: Jesus clarifies the reason for this cycle of absence and presence: "because I go to the Father." This signifies that His departure is not a defeat but a necessary step in God's redemptive plan, leading to His glorification and the sending of the Holy Spirit.
  • From Physical Presence to Spiritual Understanding: While the immediate context refers to His physical resurrection, this verse also foreshadows a deeper, spiritual "seeing" of Christ through faith, empowered by the Holy Spirit, after His ascension. The disciples would eventually understand the significance of His sacrifice and ongoing spiritual presence.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase "a little while" (mikron) underscores the brevity of both the period of Jesus' physical absence and the subsequent period of His post-resurrection appearances before His final ascension. It implies that the disciples' sorrow would be short-lived compared to the eternal joy and understanding that would follow. The phrase "go to the Father" (poreuomai pros ton patera) clearly indicates Jesus' destination and purpose: His return to the divine glory He shared with the Father before His incarnation, signifying the completion of His earthly mission.

Practical Application

John 16:16 offers profound comfort and perspective for believers today. It reminds us that periods of spiritual darkness, confusion, or the felt absence of God's presence are often temporary, serving a greater divine purpose. Just as the disciples' sorrow turned to joy, we are encouraged to persevere through trials, trusting in God's promises that difficulties will give way to renewed hope and understanding. This verse also points forward to the ultimate "seeing" of Christ at His glorious Second Coming, a source of enduring hope for all who believe.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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