John 16 17

John 16:17 kjv

Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?

John 16:17 nkjv

Then some of His disciples said among themselves, "What is this that He says to us, 'A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me'; and, 'because I go to the Father'?"

John 16:17 niv

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'?"

John 16:17 esv

So some of his disciples said to one another, "What is this that he says to us, 'A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me'; and, 'because I am going to the Father'?"

John 16:17 nlt

Some of the disciples asked each other, "What does he mean when he says, 'In a little while you won't see me, but then you will see me,' and 'I am going to the Father'?

John 16 verses

John 16 17 Meaning

John 16:17 portrays the genuine perplexity of some of Jesus' disciples as they ponder His cryptic statements regarding His impending departure and future reappearance. They openly discuss among themselves their confusion over His words: "A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?" This query encapsulates their struggle to reconcile the temporary absence of Jesus, the promise of His return, and the profound reason tied to His glorification and return to the Father. Their bewilderment underscores the gap between their present, literal understanding and the spiritual realities Jesus was unveiling concerning His death, resurrection, ascension, and the subsequent ministry of the Holy Spirit.

John 16 17 Context

John 16:17 occurs within the intimate and emotionally charged Upper Room Discourse (John 13-17), just hours before Jesus' arrest and crucifixion. This specific verse follows Jesus' pronouncements in verse 16 regarding His imminent "little while" of absence and reappearance, and His ultimate journey to the Father. The disciples are gathered in a private setting, hearing final, profound teachings meant to prepare them for Jesus' departure, the world's hostility, and the coming of the Holy Spirit. Historically and culturally, the Jewish disciples likely anticipated a Messiah who would establish an immediate, tangible earthly kingdom. Therefore, Jesus' enigmatic words about leaving, not being seen, and then being seen again, especially in connection to going to the Father, created significant cognitive dissonance. Their struggle was between a literal, political understanding of the Messiah's role and Jesus' unfolding revelation of a spiritual kingdom established through His sacrificial death, resurrection, and the subsequent sending of the Spirit.

John 16 17 Word analysis

• Then said: (οὖν ἔλεγον - oun elegon). "Oun" serves as a logical connector, signifying a conclusion or transition based on Jesus' previous statements. "Elegon" is in the imperfect tense, suggesting continuous, ongoing, or deliberative discussion among the disciples, rather than a single, sudden exclamation. This indicates they were grappling with the statements collectively over a short period.
• some of his disciples: (τινὲς τῶν μαθητῶν αὐτοῦ - tines tōn mathētōn autou). The term "tines" ("some") indicates that not every disciple might have spoken up, or perhaps it signifies a particular subgroup voicing the shared confusion, suggesting varying degrees of initial comprehension among them. It adds a realistic detail to the narrative of communal learning.
• among themselves: (πρὸς ἀλλήλους - pros allēlous). This phrase specifies that the discussion was internal to the group, rather than a direct challenge or question to Jesus. This could stem from reverence for Jesus, a fear of appearing ignorant, or a collective attempt to find clarity amongst themselves before potentially addressing the Master. It shows a deep internal processing of the difficult truths.
• What is this that he saith unto us,: (Τί ἐστιν τοῦτο ὃ λέγει ἡμῖν - Ti estin touto ho legei hēmin). This expresses a profound sense of perplexity and a direct quest for meaning. It highlights the stark contrast between Jesus' spiritual or prophetic language and their limited, often literal, understanding at that moment. They felt utterly lost, unable to logically connect His words.
• A little while, (Μικρὸν - Mikron). This term translates as "a short space," "a small amount," or "a brief time." Its repetition within Jesus' statement (John 16:16) emphasized to the disciples that these significant events would transpire over a limited and imminent period, though the nature and exact timing remained ambiguous to them.
• and ye shall not see me: (οὐ θεωρεῖτέ με - ou theōreite me). "Theōreite" (present indicative) implies a present state of observing, contemplating, perceiving, or seeing in an aware, beholding manner. "Not see" refers to Jesus' impending death, burial, and subsequent physical absence, meaning their customary fellowship and physical presence would cease. This was understood as His removal from their physical and contemplative sight.
• and again a little while, (καὶ πάλιν μικρὸν - kai palin mikron). The word "palin" ("again") highlights a second, distinct, yet brief interval. This differentiates the period of absence from the subsequent period of renewed presence, making the sequence of events more distinct even if confusing.
• and ye shall see me: (καὶ ὄψεσθέ με - kai opsesthe me). "Opsesthe" (future indicative of horáō, "to see, look upon, discern") suggests a direct, physical, or experiential encounter. This refers primarily to Jesus' resurrection appearances to them. The use of a different Greek word for "see" from the preceding "theōreite" might subtly suggest a different quality or context of seeing – perhaps a more direct vision compared to observing or comprehending.
• and, Because I go to the Father?: (ὅτι Ὑπάγω πρὸς τὸν Πατέρα - hoti Hypagō pros ton Patera). "Hypagō" means to depart or go away. This phrase offers the underlying reason and purpose for the entire sequence of seeing and not seeing. To the disciples, it posed an illogical connection: how could His ultimate departure to the Father result in their seeing Him again, especially after a period of absence? This links His suffering, glorification, and sending of the Holy Spirit directly to His completed mission and ultimate destination.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "Then said some of his disciples among themselves": This phrase reveals the disciples' collaborative struggle with complex truth. Their internal discussion indicates a respectful hesitancy to challenge Jesus directly, but also a collective, urgent need to interpret His puzzling words. It underscores the shared difficulty in grasping the deeper spiritual meaning Jesus intended.
• "What is this that he saith unto us,": This rhetorical question is an immediate expression of deep perplexity and utter bewilderment. It highlights their inability to reconcile Jesus' seemingly contradictory statements about His presence and absence. It reveals their need for divine revelation beyond their current logical capacity.
• "A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?": This entire quote, repeated by the disciples, is the crux of their misunderstanding. Jesus' teaching alluded to: 1) His crucifixion and burial ("not see"); 2) His resurrection appearances ("see me"); and also implies the ongoing spiritual "seeing" enabled by the Holy Spirit after His ascension, and ultimately His physical return at the Second Coming. Their confusion arose from trying to comprehend these profound, multi-layered events through an immediate, earthly lens, without the full understanding of His glorification and the coming work of the Spirit. They simply could not fathom how His "going to the Father" (implying final departure) would lead to seeing Him again after an initial disappearance.

John 16 17 Bonus section

• Pneumatological Foreshadowing: This verse is critical for understanding the necessity of the Holy Spirit. The disciples' utter inability to grasp Jesus' words before His departure and the Spirit's arrival underscores the Holy Spirit's essential role in illumining hearts and minds to understand spiritual truths. Without the Spirit, Jesus' words remain obscure; with the Spirit, they become clear and life-giving.
• Progression of "Seeing": The concept of "seeing" evolves through Jesus' discourse. Initially, the disciples interpret "see me" as mere physical sight. However, it progresses from physical post-resurrection appearances to a spiritual "seeing" or understanding enabled by the Holy Spirit (John 14:19), and ultimately points to the blessed hope of His second physical coming. Their current question is trapped in the first, literal dimension.
• Disciples' Humanity: The disciples' confusion is a testament to their genuine humanity and the authenticity of the biblical narrative. They were not pre-programmed to understand all divine mysteries. Their honest questions and struggle resonate with believers throughout history who encounter God's word and sometimes find it perplexing until the Spirit grants deeper insight. This moment makes Jesus' subsequent teaching and the promise of the Comforter all the more poignant and necessary.

John 16 17 Commentary

John 16:17 vividly captures the human struggle to comprehend divine truth. Jesus had just presented His disciples with the profound reality of His temporary departure ("not see me") and glorious return ("see me"), anchoring it all in His ascension to the Father. The disciples, expecting a continually present, triumphant earthly Messiah, were utterly disoriented by this sequence. Their whispered discussion "among themselves" underscores a collective bewilderment and perhaps a reluctance to press Jesus further, seeking common understanding first. The "little while" initially referred to the brevity between His teaching and His crucifixion, then His crucifixion and resurrection. For the disciples, His going "to the Father" implied finality, yet it paradoxically became the very foundation for their future spiritual "seeing" through the Holy Spirit and the hope of His physical return. This moment highlights that certain spiritual truths remain obscure until divine intervention, here through Jesus' subsequent explanation (vv. 19-28) and ultimately through the Holy Spirit's illumination.