John 16:17-27

17 Then some of his disciples said to one another, "What does he mean by saying to us, "A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me'; and "Because I am going to the Father'?"
18 They said, "What does he mean by this "a little while'? We do not know what he is talking about."
19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, "Are you discussing among yourselves what I meant when I said, "A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me'?
20 Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy.
21 When a woman is in labor, she has pain, because her hour has come. But when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world.
22 So you have pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.
23 On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.
24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.
25 "I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but will tell you plainly of the Father.
26 On that day you will ask in my name. I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf;
27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.

Footnotes 3

  • [a]. Or [will ask me no question]
  • [b]. Other ancient authorities read [Father, he will give it to you in my name]
  • [c]. Other ancient authorities read [the Father]
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.