John 16:16-18
What is written? (ESV)
A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me. 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? So they were saying, What does he mean by a little while? We do not know what he is talking about.
What does it say?
In a little while you [Apostles] won’t see Me [Jesus], and then in a little while you will. So some of the twelve discussed amongst themselves what He meant by this and that He was going to the Father. They didn’t know what He meant by “a little while”.
What is its immediate context?
This entire section of Scripture (John 13-17) is Jesus in the upper room with the twelve apostles. He speaks to them directly and gives them instructions about his coming death and what will follow.
How John 16:16-18 is applied across Bible answers
What does Jesus mean by ‘a little while’ (John 16:16-22)?
Jesus quantifies His departure to the Father and His return as happening in “a little while” which causes the Apostles to question what He means.
