John 16:18

18 They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”

John 16:18 in Other Translations

18 They said therefore, What is this that he saith,A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.

18 So they were saying, "What does he mean by 'a little while'? We do not know what he is talking about."

18 And what does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand.”

18 What is this 'day or so'? We don't know what he's talking about."

18 They said, "What is this He is saying, 'A little while' ? We don't know what He's talking about!"

John 16:18 Meaning and Commentary

John 16:18

They said therefore
One, and all of them; the inquiry became universal;

what is this that he saith, a little while?
it seems as if this phrase was the most intricate and perplexing to them; for whatever conceptions they might have of not seeing, and seeing him again, as expressive of his going from them, and returning to them, yet had no notion at all what he should mean by "a little while": and therefore add,

we cannot tell what he saith:
they knew his words, but not his meaning.

John 16:18 In-Context

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.”

19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’?

20 Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.