John 16:18 kjv
They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.
John 16:18 nkjv
They said therefore, "What is this that He says, 'A little while'? We do not know what He is saying."
John 16:18 niv
They kept asking, "What does he mean by 'a little while'? We don't understand what he is saying."
John 16:18 esv
So they were saying, "What does he mean by 'a little while'? We do not know what he is talking about."
John 16:18 nlt
And what does he mean by 'a little while'? We don't understand."
John 16 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| John 16:17 | Then the disciples said to one another, "What is this that He says to us, 'A little while...?'" | John 16:17 |
| John 16:5 | "But now I am going to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, 'Where are You going?'" | John 16:5 |
| John 16:21 | "She gives birth to a child when her time has come, but when she has given birth to a baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world." | John 16:21 |
| John 16:22 | "So you also are now in sorrow; but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy from you." | John 16:22 |
| John 14:18 | "I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you." | John 14:18 |
| John 14:19 | "Yet a little while and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also." | John 14:19 |
| Luke 24:40-41 | And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His feet. But while they still disbelieved for joy and wondered, He said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" | Luke 24:40-41 |
| Acts 1:9 | And when He had said these things, as they were looking on, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. | Acts 1:9 |
| 1 Cor 15:4 | and that He was buried; and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. | 1 Cor 15:4 |
| 1 Pet 1:8 | whom though you have not seen, you love; in whom, though you do not now see Him, you believe, and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and glorious, | 1 Pet 1:8 |
| Isa 66:7-8 | "Before she was in labor she gave birth; before her pain came she delivered a male child. Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Can a land be born in one day or a nation be delivered in a single moment? For as soon as Zion was in labor she delivered her children." | Isa 66:7-8 |
| Jer 31:13 | "Then shall the virgin rejoice in dancing, and the young men and the old together; for I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for their sorrow." | Jer 31:13 |
| Psa 30:11 | "You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosened my sackcloth and girded me with gladness," | Psa 30:11 |
| Rom 8:24-25 | "For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?" | Rom 8:24-25 |
| Heb 12:2 | "looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." | Heb 12:2 |
| Gal 5:22 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, | Gal 5:22 |
| John 15:11 | "These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." | John 15:11 |
| John 20:19-20 | On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord. | John 20:19-20 |
| John 21:1-3 | After this Jesus revealed Himself again to His disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and in this way He revealed Himself. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will also go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. | John 21:1-3 |
| Zech 8:18 | "Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be seasons of joy and gladness and cheerful feasts for the house of Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.’" | Zech 8:18 |
| Psa 126:5-6 | "May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, carrying seed for sowing, shall return with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him." | Psa 126:5-6 |
John 16 verses
John 16 18 Meaning
The disciples questioned Jesus, expressing confusion and anxiety about His impending departure and His seemingly cryptic statements regarding "a little while" and their inability to come to Him. They perceived His words as ambiguous and burdensome, reflecting their limited understanding of His spiritual resurrection and ascension.
John 16 18 Context
In John chapter 16, Jesus is preparing His disciples for His departure. He speaks of leaving them, but also of the coming of the Holy Spirit who will guide and comfort them. The disciples are struggling to grasp these concepts, particularly the meaning of "a little while." They are focused on the present sorrow of His leaving, not understanding that His departure is temporary from their earthly perspective, and that it leads to a greater joy and spiritual presence through the Holy Spirit. The historical and cultural context is that of a Jewish audience familiar with festivals and prophecy, but Jesus is presenting a new reality of spiritual presence that transcends physical absence. The disciples' reaction is one of bewilderment and perhaps fear, indicative of their limited understanding of spiritual matters.
John 16 18 Word Analysis
- "Therefore" (οὖν - oun): This conjunction indicates a logical consequence or conclusion from what Jesus has just said, implying that the disciples' questions naturally follow from His statements.
- "when" (ὅταν - hotan): Signifies a future, indeterminate point in time. It emphasizes that their inability to understand is temporary.
- "a little while" (μικρόν - mikron): This phrase, already used by Jesus, refers to the short period before His death and resurrection. The disciples find it ambiguous and are confused about its duration and implication.
- "you will see Me" (ὄψεσθέ με - opsesthe me): The verb "opsesthe" is future tense, indicating a future perception or encounter. It speaks of a post-resurrection appearance, a tangible and spiritual seeing.
- "and" (καί - kai): Connects the two clauses, showing a progression of events or a consequence.
- "your heart will rejoice" (χαρήσεται ὑμῶν ἡ καρδία - charēsetai hymōn hē kardia): This expresses a future state of gladness and exultation in the hearts of the disciples, directly contrasting their present sorrow. The heart here signifies the inner seat of emotion and will.
Group of Words Analysis:
- "When for a little while you will not see Me, and again when you see Me": This encapsulates the core of the disciples' confusion. They are fixated on the "not see" period, unable to anticipate the certainty and joy of the "see Me" period. Jesus is pointing to His death, resurrection, and eventual glorified presence after His ascension through the Spirit.
John 16 18 Bonus Section
This interaction reveals the disciples' discipleship journey. They are still learning to interpret spiritual realities through the lens of Christ's teachings. Their questioning is a sign of their genuine desire to understand, not mere opposition. Jesus' response in the following verses (John 16:19-23) will address their confusion directly, using the analogy of a woman in labor to explain how their sorrow will be followed by immense joy. This verse sets the stage for the subsequent promise of the Holy Spirit, who will fully equip them to understand and proclaim Jesus' work.
John 16 18 Commentary
The disciples’ question highlights a common human tendency to focus on present difficulties and to struggle with future uncertainty. Jesus' words are a gentle rebuke of their lack of faith and their literalistic understanding. He is introducing a paradigm shift: His physical absence will be followed by a greater spiritual presence, and their temporary sorrow will be transformed into lasting joy. This anticipation of future joy, even amidst present hardship, is a cornerstone of Christian hope.