John 16:19

19 And Jesus knew, that they would ask him, and he said to them, Of this thing ye seek among you, for I said, A little, and ye shall not see me; and again a little, and ye shall see me.

John 16:19 Meaning and Commentary

John 16:19

Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him
This is a proof of Christ's deity, that he is the omniscient God who knows all things, what is in man, even the secrets of the heart; for he not only knew the whisperings of the disciples, and their inquiries among themselves about the sense of his words, but also their secret desires to ask him concerning it:

and said unto them, do ye inquire among yourselves of that I said, a
little while and ye shall not see me, and again a little while and ye
shall see me?
which he said before they could put the question to him, they being bashful, and backward, through fear or shame; and which not only confirms what is before observed of his omniscience, but also shows his readiness to open his mind and meaning, and explain himself to his disciples, as he does in the following words.

John 16:19 In-Context

17 Therefore some of his disciples said together, What is this thing that he saith to us, A little, and ye shall not see me; and again a little, and ye shall see me, for I go to the Father?

18 Therefore they said, What is this that he saith to us, A little? we know not what he speaketh.

19 And Jesus knew, that they would ask him, and he said to them, Of this thing ye seek among you, for I said, A little, and ye shall not see me; and again a little, and ye shall see me.

20 Truly, truly, I say to you, that ye shall mourn and weep, but the world shall have joy; and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall turn into joy.

21 A woman when she beareth child, hath heaviness [hath sorrow, or heaviness], for her time is come; but when she hath born a son, now she thinketh not on the pain, for joy, for a man is born into the world.