John 16 16

John 16:16 kjv

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.

John 16:16 nkjv

"A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father."

John 16:16 niv

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 esv

"A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me."

John 16:16 nlt

"In a little while you won't see me anymore. But a little while after that, you will see me again."

John 16 verses

John 16 16 Meaning

Jesus states a paradox: He is leaving them, yet they will not see Him for only a short period. This brief separation will be followed by a reunion, and during this intervening time, the world's sorrow will turn into joy because of His resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit.

John 16 16 Context

This verse is spoken by Jesus to His disciples in His Farewell Discourse in the Gospel of John. It occurs shortly before His crucifixion. Jesus is preparing His disciples for His impending departure from them physically. He acknowledges the sorrow they will feel due to His absence. However, He immediately offers comfort by promising that this period of sorrow will be temporary and will be replaced by a joy that no one can take away. This joy is intrinsically linked to His eventual return to them (though they may not "see" Him in the same physical way always) and, more significantly, to the sending of the Holy Spirit. This passage is part of Jesus' effort to equip and encourage His followers for the challenges and opportunities ahead after His earthly ministry concludes. The historical context is crucial; Jesus is facing crucifixion, a significant event that would cause understandable grief for His followers.

John 16 16 Word Analysis

• μικρὸν (mikron): Adverb meaning "a little," "a short time." This emphasizes the temporary nature of their sorrow and His absence.

• ἔτι (eti): Adverb meaning "still," "yet," "longer." Combined with the negative, "οὐκέτι (ouketi)," it means "no longer." In the first clause, "μικρὸν ἔτι" together means "a little while longer."

• βλέπετέ (blepete): Second person plural present active indicative of βλέπω (blepo), meaning "to see," "to perceive," "to behold." It implies seeing with the eyes and also understanding or perceiving. The present tense indicates a continuous action or state.

• με (me): First person singular direct object pronoun, "me."

• καὶ (kai): Conjunction meaning "and," also used to introduce contrasting clauses.

• πάλιν (palin): Adverb meaning "again," "a second time."

• ὄψεσθέ (opsethe): Second person plural future middle deponent indicative of ὁράω (horaō), meaning "to see," "to perceive," "to behold." This is a future passive form of "seeing," indicating that they will be the recipients of seeing.

• με (me): First person singular direct object pronoun, "me."

• οὐχ (ouch): Negation, "not."

• ὅτι (hoti): Conjunction, "because," "that."

• ἀπέρχομαι (aperchomai): First person singular present middle deponent indicative of ἀπέρχομαι (aperchomai), meaning "to go away," "to depart."

• πρὸς (pros): Preposition meaning "to," "towards," "with."

• τὸν (ton): Definite article, masculine accusative singular, "the."

• πατέρα (patera): Accusative singular of πατήρ (patēr), meaning "Father." Refers to God the Father.

• μικρὸν (mikron) ... ἔτι (eti): "A little while longer." The combination suggests a specific but short duration.

• βλέπετέ με (blepete me): "You see me." This is the current state of perception.

• οὐκέτι (ouketi) ... βλέπετέ με (blepete me): "You no longer see me." This points to the impending physical departure.

• οὐκ (ouk) ... ὄψεσθέ (opsethe) με (me): "You will not see me." This continues the thought of His absence from their immediate view.

• ὅτι (hoti) ἀπέρχομαι (aperchomai) πρὸς (pros) τὸν πατέρα (ton patera): "Because I am going to the Father." This provides the reason for their temporary lack of sight – His return to His heavenly origin and the Father's presence.

John 16 16 Bonus Section

The contrasting emotions of the disciples (sorrow) and the world (rejoicing) highlight a spiritual distinction. The world rejoices when it perceives the removal of the righteous or divine influence, seeing it as a victory. The disciples' sorrow, however, is a prelude to a deeper, abiding joy that comes from spiritual realities. The assurance that "I am going to the Father" is a reassurance that His absence is not an abandonment but a necessary step for their ultimate spiritual fulfillment through the Holy Spirit. This understanding shifts the focus from His physical presence to His ongoing spiritual relationship and power made available through His ascension.

John 16 16 Commentary

Jesus' statement is profound, describing a transition from sorrow to joy through a temporary parting. The "little while" refers to the period between His departure and His resurrection appearances. The sorrow experienced by the disciples will be acute due to His death, mirroring the world's rejoicing in His removal. However, this grief is fundamentally different from the world's rejoicing; it's a sorrow that will be transformed. The ultimate cause of the disciples' renewed joy is not just seeing Him again, but His victorious return to the Father and the subsequent empowerment of the Holy Spirit. This divine intervention makes their temporary sorrow a gateway to a permanent, more profound joy, rooted in spiritual reality rather than mere physical presence.