John 7:33

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G3767} said {G2036} Jesus {G2424} unto them {G846}, Yet {G2089} a little {G3398} while {G5550} am I {G1510} with {G3326} you {G5216}, and {G2532} then I go {G5217} unto {G4314} him that sent {G3992} me {G3165}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua said, “I will be with you only a little while longer; then I will go away to the One who sent me.

Berean Standard Bible

So Jesus said, “I am with you only a little while longer, and then I am going to the One who sent Me.

American Standard Version

Jesus therefore said, Yet a little while am I with you, and I go unto him that sent me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Jesus cryptically declares to a crowd and the Jewish leaders during the Feast of Tabernacles that His time among them is short, and He will soon return to the One who sent Him. This statement, while veiled to His immediate audience, profoundly reveals His divine origin, the purposeful nature of His earthly mission, and His impending departure through death, resurrection, and ascension back to the Father. It underscores the urgency of recognizing His identity before the opportunity passes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This declaration by Jesus occurs amidst escalating tension and controversy in Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles, as detailed in [John 7](/john/7 "John 7 - Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles"). Jesus had arrived secretly, then began teaching openly in the temple, drawing both awe and fierce opposition from the Jewish authorities. The preceding verses ([John 7:30-32](/john/7-30-32 "John 7:30-32 - Attempts to Arrest Jesus")) highlight the attempts by the chief priests and Pharisees to arrest Him, indicating the growing hostility. Jesus' statement in [John 7:33](/john/7-33 "John 7:33 - Jesus Foretells His Departure") is a direct response to this atmosphere, serving as a veiled prophecy of His impending crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, which would ultimately remove Him from their immediate grasp. His words here set the stage for further misunderstanding and debate among the crowds and leaders as the chapter progresses.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) was one of the three major annual pilgrim festivals, drawing large numbers of Jews to Jerusalem. It was a joyous harvest festival commemorating God's provision and protection during the wilderness wanderings, with participants living in temporary shelters (booths or tabernacles). A significant ritual during this feast was the daily water-drawing ceremony, where water from the Pool of Siloam was carried to the temple and poured out, symbolizing God's provision and the future outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This cultural backdrop is crucial, as Jesus later connects Himself to the "living water" ([John 7:37-39](/john/7-37-39 "John 7:37-39 - Jesus and the Living Water")), directly challenging the traditional understanding of the festival and presenting Himself as the ultimate fulfillment of its symbolism. The presence of the Jewish authorities, particularly the Pharisees and chief priests, highlights the religious and political power structures of the time, who viewed Jesus' claims and teachings as a threat to their authority and tradition.
* **Key Themes:** [John 7:33](/john/7-33 "John 7:33 - Jesus Foretells His Departure") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in John's Gospel. Firstly, it reinforces the theme of **Divine Origin and Mission**, emphasizing that Jesus was "sent" by the Father, underscoring His unique relationship with God and the divine authority behind His ministry. His entire earthly life was a purposeful fulfillment of His Father's will, as seen in passages like [John 6:38](/john/6-38 "John 6:38 - Jesus Doing the Father's Will"). Secondly, the phrase "Yet a little while am I with you" highlights the theme of **Impending Departure and Return to the Father**. This serves as a poignant foreshadowing of His coming death, resurrection, and ultimate ascension back to heaven, which is a recurring motif in John, as Jesus prepares His disciples for His physical absence (e.g., [John 16:5-7](/john/16-5-7 "John 16:5-7 - Jesus' Departure and the Helper")). Lastly, the audience's failure to grasp the spiritual implications of Jesus' words underscores the theme of **Spiritual Blindness and Misunderstanding**. Despite Jesus' clear, albeit veiled, statements about His identity and purpose, many of His hearers remained focused on earthly interpretations and political messianism, missing the profound spiritual reality of His identity and purpose, a theme prevalent throughout the Gospel, such as in [John 8:43-47](/john/8-43-47 "John 8:43-47 - Jesus' Opponents Cannot Understand His Words").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **said (Greek, _épō'_):** G2036. A primary verb meaning "to speak or say (by word or writing)." In this context, it signifies Jesus' authoritative declaration. He is not merely commenting but stating a profound truth about His identity and destiny, even if His audience does not fully grasp it. This word often implies a direct, weighty pronouncement.
* **go (Greek, _hypágō'_):** G5217. From _hypó_ (under) and _ágō_ (to lead), meaning "to lead (oneself) under," or "withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight), literally or figuratively." Here, it denotes Jesus' departure, specifically His withdrawal from earthly life through death and ascension. It suggests a purposeful, self-initiated movement, not merely being taken away, but a return to His divine source.
* **sent (Greek, _pémpō'_):** G3992. A primary verb meaning "to dispatch," especially on a temporary errand; also to transmit, bestow, or wield. This word is crucial as it emphasizes Jesus' divine commission. He did not come on His own initiative but was dispatched with a specific purpose and authority from the Father. This highlights His subordinate yet unique relationship with God, affirming His role as the Father's appointed agent for salvation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then said Jesus unto them":** This phrase sets the scene for Jesus' direct address to the crowd and the Jewish leaders present at the Feast of Tabernacles. "Them" refers to the diverse group of people who were listening to His teaching and debating His identity, including those who sought to arrest Him. It indicates a public, authoritative pronouncement.
* **"Yet a little while am I with you":** This clause conveys the brevity and finite nature of Jesus' earthly ministry. The phrase "a little while" (Greek: _eti mikron chronon_) emphasizes that His physical presence among them is temporary and rapidly drawing to a close. It serves as a poignant foreshadowing of His impending death, resurrection, and ascension, signaling that the window of opportunity to respond to Him in person is closing.
* **"and then I go unto him that sent me.":** This second clause reveals the destination and purpose of His departure. Jesus clarifies that His "going" is not an aimless wandering or an abandonment, but a purposeful return to "him that sent me"—God the Father. This statement powerfully affirms His divine origin, His unique relationship with the Father, and the successful completion of the mission for which He was dispatched to earth. His return to the Father signifies His ultimate triumph and glorification.

#### Literary Devices
[John 7:33](/john/7-33 "John 7:33 - Jesus Foretells His Departure") employs several potent literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as Jesus' words "Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me" subtly but clearly predict His impending death, resurrection, and ascension. To His disciples, these words would later gain profound meaning, but to His immediate audience, they were shrouded in **Ambiguity**, leading to confusion and misinterpretation. This deliberate **Ambiguity** creates **Dramatic Irony**, as the reader, possessing the full scope of the Gospel narrative, understands the true significance of Jesus' departure, while the characters within the story remain largely ignorant or willfully blind. The phrase "him that sent me" also functions as **Understatement** for His divine Father, subtly asserting His unique relationship with God without explicitly declaring His full deity, which would have been even more provocative to His adversaries at this stage.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jesus' declaration in [John 7:33](/john/7-33 "John 7:33 - Jesus Foretells His Departure") is deeply rooted in the theological framework of John's Gospel, emphasizing His unique relationship with the Father and the divine intentionality behind His earthly mission. His "going" is not a defeat but the culmination of His purpose: to accomplish the Father's will and return to His glorious presence. This verse highlights the profound truth that Jesus' life, death, and resurrection were not accidental events but part of God's sovereign plan for the redemption of humanity. His departure was a necessary step for the full realization of salvation and the subsequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which would enable believers to continue His work and experience His presence in a new way.

* [John 13:33](/john/13-33 "John 13:33 - Jesus' Departure Foretold to Disciples")
* [John 16:5](/john/16-5 "John 16:5 - Jesus' Departure and the Spirit")
* [John 17:11](/john/17-11 "John 17:11 - Jesus' Return to the Father")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[John 7:33](/john/7-33 "John 7:33 - Jesus Foretells His Departure") serves as a timeless reminder of the purposeful and finite nature of Jesus' earthly ministry, and by extension, the preciousness of the opportunity to respond to Him. Just as Jesus' time with His original audience was "a little while," our own time to hear and respond to His call is also limited. This verse urges us to consider the urgency of the Gospel message and to not procrastinate in seeking truth and reconciliation with God. It also invites us to reflect on the divine mission that Jesus perfectly fulfilled, providing a model for our own lives to be lived in alignment with God's will. Understanding that Jesus came from the Father and returned to the Father reassures us of His authority and the ultimate triumph of His redemptive work. It encourages us to live with an eternal perspective, knowing that the "sent one" has completed His mission and now intercedes for us, awaiting His glorious return.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' awareness of His limited time on earth challenge or inspire my own sense of purpose and urgency in living for God?**
* **In what ways might I, like the original audience, be prone to misunderstanding or overlooking the spiritual truths Jesus presents today?**
* **What does Jesus' statement "I go unto him that sent me" reveal about His identity and relationship with God the Father, and how does this impact my faith?**
* **If Jesus' physical presence was only for "a little while," how do I experience His presence and guidance in my life now?**

### FAQ

**What did Jesus mean by "Yet a little while am I with you"?**

Answer: By "Yet a little while am I with you," Jesus was referring to the limited duration of His earthly ministry before His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. It was a veiled prophecy of His impending physical departure from the world. He knew His time to teach, heal, and interact with humanity in a bodily form was drawing to a close, signaling the culmination of His redemptive work on earth. This phrase emphasizes the brevity of the opportunity for people to encounter and respond to Him directly, underscoring the urgency of His message. His departure was not an end but a transition to a new phase of His mission, leading to His return to the Father and the sending of the Holy Spirit, as promised in [John 14:16-18](/john/14-16-18 "John 14:16-18 - The Promise of the Helper").

**Why did the people not understand Jesus' words about "going" to the one who sent Him?**

Answer: The people, including the Jewish leaders, largely misunderstood Jesus' words because their expectations were primarily earthly and political. They anticipated a Messiah who would establish an earthly kingdom and deliver them from Roman rule, not one who would speak of His own departure to a heavenly Father. Their focus was on physical presence and immediate political liberation, not on spiritual redemption or a divine origin beyond their comprehension. They interpreted "going" in a literal, geographical sense, wondering if He meant going to the Dispersion among the Gentiles ([John 7:35](/john/7-35 "John 7:35 - The Jews Misunderstand Jesus' Departure")). This highlights a recurring theme in John's Gospel: the spiritual blindness of those who refuse to believe, despite Jesus' clear, albeit often parabolic, declarations about His identity and mission.

**Who is "him that sent me" that Jesus refers to?**

Answer: "Him that sent me" refers unequivocally to God the Father. Throughout John's Gospel, Jesus consistently emphasizes His unique relationship with the Father, from whom He originates and by whom He is commissioned. This phrase underscores Jesus' divine authority and the purposeful nature of His mission. He did not act on His own initiative but was dispatched by the Father to accomplish a specific redemptive plan. This concept of being "sent" by the Father is central to Jesus' identity and the legitimacy of His claims, affirming His role as the Son of God and the ultimate revealer of the Father, as seen in passages like [John 5:36-37](/john/5-36-37 "John 5:36-37 - The Father Testifies About Jesus") and [John 8:42](/john/8-42 "John 8:42 - Jesus Came From God").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[John 7:33](/john/7-33 "John 7:33 - Jesus Foretells His Departure") finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the entirety of Jesus' redemptive work, particularly His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. His declaration "Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me" foreshadows the ultimate act of self-giving love on the cross, where He would lay down His life as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His "going" was not a retreat but a strategic movement in God's plan, culminating in His victorious resurrection from the dead, demonstrating His power over sin and death ([Romans 4:25](/romans/4-25 "Romans 4:25 - Jesus' Resurrection for Our Justification")). Furthermore, this "going" finds its ultimate expression in His ascension to the Father's right hand, where He now reigns as Lord and continues His priestly intercession for believers ([Acts 1:9-11](/acts/1-9-11 "Acts 1:9-11 - The Ascension of Jesus") and [Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Jesus' Intercession")). His departure was essential for the sending of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, who would empower His followers and guide them into all truth, ensuring His continued presence with His church, not physically, but spiritually ([John 14:16-18](/john/14-16-18 "John 14:16-18 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit")). Thus, Jesus' words in [John 7:33](/john/7-33 "John 7:33 - Jesus Foretells His Departure") are a prophetic summary of the gospel narrative itself, culminating in His glorious return to the Father and the subsequent outpouring of grace for all who believe.

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 16:5

But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?

John 13:33

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.

John 17:11

¶ And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we [are].

John 17:13

And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

John 14:19

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

John 13:1

¶ Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

John 16:28

¶ I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.