John 16:16

The Disciples’ Grief Will Turn to Joy

16 Jesus went on to say, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.”

John 16:16 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
16 "A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me."
New Living Translation (NLT)
16 “In a little while you won’t see me anymore. But a little while after that, you will see me again.”
The Message Bible (MSG)
16 "In a day or so you're not going to see me, but then in another day or so you will see me."
American Standard Version (ASV)
16 A little while, and ye behold me no more; and again a little while, and ye shall see me.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
16 "In a little while you won't see me anymore. Then in a little while you will see me again."
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
16 "A little while and you will no longer see Me; again a little while and you will see Me."
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
16 "In a little while, you will no longer see me. Then after a little while, you will see me."

John 16:16 Meaning and Commentary

John 16:16

A little while and ye shall not see me
Meaning, that he should be quickly taken from them by death. And in a very little time after this, having put up a prayer for them, recorded in the next chapter, he went into the garden, where he was met by Judas with his band of men, who laid hold on him, bound him, and led him first to Annas, then to Caiaphas, and from him to Pilate, when all the disciples forsook him and fled, and saw him no more in this mortal state, except Peter and John. He took his trial, was soon condemned, and crucified, and laid in the dark tomb, and silent grave, where, for a while, he was out of sight.

And again, a little while and ye shall see me;
referring either to his rising again the third day from his death, as was prophesied of, ( Hosea 6:2 ) ; and was typified by Jonah's lying three days and three nights in the whale's belly, when he appeared to, and was seen by his disciples, to their great joy; or else to the short time in which he was to be, and was seen by them; namely, forty days between his resurrection and ascension; a longer stay it was not necessary he should make, for he had other work to do, for himself and them:

because I go to the Father;
to give an account of the work he had finished on earth; to carry in his blood, righteousness, and sacrifice; to present himself to his Father on behalf of his people; to appear in the presence of God for them; to be their advocate, plead their cause, and make intercession for them, and take possession of heaven in their name; to take his place at the right hand of God in their nature; to receive a kingdom for himself, and then return.

John 16:16 In-Context

14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.
15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”
16 Jesus went on to say, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.”
17 At this, some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?”
18 They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”

Cross References 2

  • 1. S John 7:33
  • 2. ver 22; John 14:18-24
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