Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 16:17
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?
17. Then disciples ] Better, Some of His disciples therefore said.
among themselves ] Better, as in Joh 4:33, one to another; so also in Joh 19:24. The Greek for ‘among themselves’ (Joh 12:19) is different.
ye shall not see ] Ye behold Me not. As in the previous verse we have two different verbs for ‘see.’
and, Because I go ] They refer to what was said in Joh 16:10. The Apostles are perplexed both about the apparent contradiction of not beholding and yet seeing and also the departure to the Father. ‘Because’ ( ) should probably be ‘that,’ to introduce the saying ‘I go to the Father.’ As already indicated, the reason, ‘ because I go, &c.’ in Joh 16:16 is not genuine.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Christ had used much the same expression to the Jews, Joh 7:33,
Yet a little while I am with you; he had spoken the same to his disciples, Joh 13:33; yet it is plain from this verse, that his disciples did not understand him. What need the best of us have of the illuminations of the blessed Spirit, rightly to conceive of and understand spiritual things! These doctrines of his death resurrection, and ascension, and coming to judgment, our Lord had inculcated to his disciples, not only in the two texts aforementioned, but also Joh 8:21; 12:33,36; 14:2,4,12,28; and in this chapter, Joh 16:5,7.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Then said some of his disciples among themselves,…. It may be, some of them might better understand the meaning of Christ than others, or they might all be ignorant of it; for before the effusion of the Spirit on them, they were attended with a great deal of ignorance; and what through their being overwhelmed at this time with sorrow, and what with their national sentiments they retained about a temporal kingdom, they understood very little of what Christ said to them concerning his death, the nature, use, and end of it. Wherefore some might make the motion first, and inquire,
what is this that he saith unto us, a little while and ye shall not see me? they knew not what he meant by it, though he had so often and so clearly spoken of his death unto them: and as ignorant were they what he should design by saying,
and again a little while and ye shall see me; though he had expressly told them, in so many words, some time ago, that whereas he should die, he should rise again the third day: and as much at a loss were they to guess what he should intend by the reason he gives,
and because I go to the Father; though he had often mentioned it already, and as what might be matter of joy unto them.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Some of the disciples ( ). Ellipsis of time (some) before as in 7:40. Jesus seemed to contradict himself, for the disciples took both verbs in the same sense and were still puzzled over the going to the Father of 14:3. But they talk to one another, not to Jesus.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Then [] . Rev., correctly, therefore. It is a particle of logical connection, not of time.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Then said some of his disciples among themselves,” (eipan oun ek ton metheton autou pros allelous) “Then some of his disciples said to one another,” with uncertainty, inquiring in a state of wonder, one of another, just what He had really said or meant by what He had said.
2) “What is this that he saith unto us,” (ti estin touto ho legei hemin) “What is the essence or real meaning (of) this which he tells us,” of His going away from and coming again to us and His going to the Father. They were benumbed and “dull of understanding,” or grasping just what He was disclosing to them, Luk 24:25-27; Luk 24:44-45.
3) “A little while, and ye shall not see me:” (mikron kai theoreite me) “A little while (time) and you all will not see me,” for my death and burial is very soon; for the shepherd had to be smitten and the flock scattered, Zec 13:7; Mat 26:31-32.
4) “And again, a little while, and ye shall see me:” (kai palin mikron opsesthe me) “And again, a little while and you will all see me:” They simply did not either understand or believe what He said is evident because of their later actions and talk, Mar 16:11-14.
5) “And because I go to the Father?” (kai hoti hupago pros ton patera) “And because I am going to the Father, what does He mean?” He did go back to the Father and send the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead, the Trinity, to be a guide to the church and a helper of every true disciple, forever, Joh 14:16-17; Luk 24:49; Act 1:8; Act 2:4. And He is coming again for His own in a “little while,” Heb 10:36-37. He went away with outstretched hands, blessing His own, Luk 24:50-51; and Blessed Assurance, Blessed Hope, He is coming “as He went away,” Act 1:10-11; Tit 2:13.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(17, 18) Then said some of his disciples among themselves.Better, Therefore said . . . The question arises out of what He has said. They draw aside and discuss the matter privately. It is beyond their comprehension, and seems to be contradictory.
A little while, and ye shall not see me.Better, A little while, and ye behold Me not, as in Joh. 16:16.
Because I go to the Father.So far they have quoted word for word what He had said in the previous verse. They now connect it with what He had said in Joh. 16:7; Joh. 16:10, and this forms the ground of their surprise. There He had spoken of their beholding Him no more because He goeth to the Father. Here He speaks of a little while, after which they shall not behold Him, and again a little while, after which they shall see Him. They cannot reconcile these things. They cannot tell what He saith.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
‘Some of his disciples therefore said to one another, “What is this that he says to us? ‘A little while and you see me not, and again a little while and you will see me’. And ‘because I go to my Father’?” They said therefore, “What is this that he says, ‘a little while’. We do not know what he is talking about.”
This is John’s method of indicating a real and general discussion. His words have caught the attention of the disciples and they now talk over with each other some of what He has said. First he speaks of going to the Father and being seen no more (v. 10). Then He speaks of not being seen and then being seen (v. 16). What on earth can He mean? But they do not like to ask Him Himself, although they are genuinely puzzled. These indications of Apostolic puzzlement are a confirmation of the genuine historicity of the narrative. No one would have invented them afterwards in respect of men who were so highly revered.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Joh 16:17-18. What is this that he saith, There are so many passages in the preceding discourse relating to Christ’s goingto the Father, that it is a strange instance of the dulness of the apostles at that time, that they did not understand him. Perhaps it is recorded on purpose to shew us what an alteration the teaching of the Spirit made in them afterward. It is indeed difficult to imagine what could perplex them, unless it were that they suspected the words in Joh 16:16 might intimate, that after Jesus had gone to the Father, and made a short stay there, he would come again, and settle an earthly kingdom;and they might desire an explication in this view. Accordingly, after having told them, that though they were sorrowful,he would come and see them again after his resurrection, Joh 16:20-22 and would introduce them to a state of comfortable converse with the Father by prayer and holy communion with him, and a joy of which none could deprive them, Joh 16:22-27. He adds, Joh 16:28 that he was quickly leaving the world to go and reside with the Father from whom he came; thereby gently intimating, that no temporal reign, the constant object of their hopes, was to be expected: and if we suppose him thus to have glanced obliquely at the most secret sentiments of their hearts,it will account for that confession of his omniscience which immediately follows the 28th verse, (Joh 16:29-30.) the reason of which would not appear merely from his discovery that they doubted about something, as their countenances andwhispers might shew this. Some one, considering our Lord’s words as referring to the life of glory, a sense which is evidently implied in them, beautifully observes, that believers may sometimes think this little while of a tedious length; they are almost apprehensive that it will never end: but let them animate their hopes, by reflecting that the Master calls it a little while. It will be found a short time indeed, compared with the happy eternity, to which it is the passage.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Joh 16:17-18 . Jesus makes a pause; some of His disciples ( . . . sc . , as in Joh 7:40 ) express (in a whisper) to one another, how enigmatic this language, Joh 16:16 , is to them. They indicate, accordingly (Joh 16:18 ), the that was mentioned as the point of unintelligibility: “what shall this be, what does He mean by ?” Note placed first with emphasis, as well as the article with , pointing backwards.
. . .] is recitative. Since the words in Joh 16:16 are not genuine, we must assume that the disciples place what Jesus said in Joh 16:10 , in connection with these enigmatic words, Joh 16:16 , and here take up along with the point there expressed in their seeing Him no more:
. . . in order to receive an explanation regarding it, probably feeling that this explanation must necessarily serve for the clearing up of the obscure words before them.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
17, 18. ] The disciples are perplexed by this , as connected with what our Lord had before asserted Joh 16:10 , . . That seemed to them a long and hopeless withdrawal: how was it then to be reconciled with what he now said of a short absence? What was this ? This connexion not being observed has led to the insertion of . . . in Joh 16:16 .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Joh 16:17 . . A pause is implied; during which some of the disciples ( understood, as in Joh 7:40 ; see Simcox, Gram. of N.T. , p. 84) expressed to one another their bewilderment. They were alarmed, but could not attach their alarm to any definite object of dread.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
Then = Therefore.
among themselves = to (Greek. pros. App-104.) one another.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
17, 18.] The disciples are perplexed by this , as connected with what our Lord had before asserted Joh 16:10, . . That seemed to them a long and hopeless withdrawal: how was it then to be reconciled with what he now said of a short absence? What was this ? This connexion not being observed has led to the insertion of . . . in Joh 16:16.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Joh 16:17. ) Understand .- , and because) The disciples disjoin two sentences that were conjoined, and which they did not understand.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Joh 16:17
Joh 16:17
Some of his disciples therefore said one to another, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye behold me not; and again a little while, and ye shall see me; and, Because I go to the Father?-The apostles were still ignorant of his coming death, burial, and resurrection. He had told them, but it differed so far from their ideas of what his cause would be that they could not perceive by dying and rising again.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Joh 16:17-22
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? They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A litde while? we cannot tell what he saith. Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye inquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me? Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
Already in this closing address of our Lord Jesus Christ to His disciples He had spoken to them of His coming again. He said, I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also (Joh 14:2-3). But they seemed to have been as blind as a great many of our modern aposdes and preachers. They could not understand that He meant that He was going away literally and was coming back literally. He was going away in the body and He was coming back in a glorified body.
One would suppose that the Scripture teaching as to the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ is so plainly expressed that it would be impossible for any ordinary mind to misunderstand. And yet, what weird things people have made out of our Lords promise that He will come again! Some people think that He had in mind that great event that took place very shortly after He spoke these words- the coming of the Holy Spirit to build the church and carry on the work of God in this scene. But that is not a reasonable explanation of His words, because it was after the Holy Spirit came that all the New Testament was written, and all through its books the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is set forth as an event still in the future, a blessed hope for which believers are to wait and toward which they are to look.
And then again many people imagine that when the Lord spoke of His second coming that He meant when a believer comes to die, at the end of life, that in the hour of death the Lord will come for him in the guise of death. But that will not stand because as we turn page after page in the New Testament dealing with this subject, we find that death is going to be swallowed up in victory at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. In another passage of Scripture we are told that the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord (1Th 4:16-17). It is impossible that death and the second coming of Christ should be synonymous expressions, for death for the believer will be ended when the Lord comes again.
Then there are a great many other foolish ideas. I picked up a Sunday school quarterly the other day, and the writer of the lessons ridiculed the old-fashioned idea of the second coming of Christ. The writer undertook to show that the only second coming that the Bible teaches is His coming in the providential affairs of life, in the political and economic clouds, and by the Spirit to comfort and help in the hour of trial. But as to His personal coming, it is a vain hope, said this writer.
I am thankful we do not have to depend on those who edit the Sunday school lesson for our enlightenment. Jesus said, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And here He speaks very definitely, of both His going away and His coming back. Verse 16 reads, 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. That was all a settled thing so far as He was concerned. He was speaking of leaving this world by way of the cross and the ascension, and going back to the Father, and the interval was but a little while. So just as in a few days He would go to the Father, so in a few days more He would be back again!
But, you say, countless years have come and gone since He went away. Yes, but the Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2Pe 3:9). And we are told that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. So, really, according to the Lords reckoning, He has not been away two days yet, so shortly when that little while closes, He will come again.
Notice how frequently He speaks of the little while. In 7:33 Jesus said, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me. He was speaking here to His enemies, those who were seeking His destruction. He was going to the cross to die, but going voluntarily, and then someday He was going to the throne. Ye shall seek me, but ye shall not find me (v. 34). He explains what He means by that. He says, [If ye] die in your sins: whither I go, you cannot come (8:21). He was going back to the Father, and only those can join Him who know Him as Savior and Lord here on earth.
Then in the twelfth chapter of this same gospel once more He speaks of the little while. The people said, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of man? Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them (12:34-36). That is, as long as He was in the world, He was the light of the world, and God was speaking directly through Him. A little while is the light with you, and then He was to go to the Father.
And in 13:33 He says, Little children, yet a little while I am with you. He was speaking to His own beloved disciples who had trusted Him and accepted Him as their promised Redeemer. Yet a little while I am with you And as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. Oh, but He means something different when He speaks thus to them. The Jews who rejected Him will be unable to find Him. But He says to His own, I am going back to the glory. You will not find Me here on earth, but I will come and get you, and take you to be with Me. Yet a little while I am with you.
The fourteenth chapter and nineteenth verse reads, Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. What does He mean by this? Well in the time of His absence He has gone unto the far country where He is seated on the Fathers throne waiting to receive for Himself the kingdom. The world knows nothing of Him, but His own have the eyes of faith. They are able to look into the heavens and say with Paul, We see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor (Heb 2:9).
We love to look up and behold Him there,
The Lamb for His chosen slain;
And soon shall His saints all His glories share,
With their King and their Lord shall reign.
He is absent actually as to the body, but we behold Him by faith. We know He sits exalted at Gods right hand, and we are waiting for Him to come back again in person as He went away.
And so this sixteenth chapter connects with all that has gone before. 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.
It has been suggested by some that it might be rendered, I go back to my Father, implying that He was the One who came from the Father. He left His Fathers bosom and came down in order to be our Savior, and then, having finished our redemption, returned to His Father. Even His disciples did not understand and did not like to ask. It suggests something of the reverent awe in which they held Him. There was something about Him that stirred their hearts to the deepest depths. They knew that His heart was saddened as He said it, and they hesitated to ask, but they might as well have done so, for He knew their very thoughts.
But as they walked along, they turned one to the other, and said, What does it mean? What is this that he saith, A little while? and, [what does he mean by saying], Because I go to my Father? (v. 17). They were still looking for Him to raise up a standard here on earth, to call all who were faithful to God to follow Him and lead a revolt against the Roman power and set up the kingdom of Israel, long predicted by the prophets here in this world. When Messiah comes He is going to abide forever. What does He mean?
And He heard them just as though they had asked Him, and said to them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy (vv. 19-20).
He knew that they loved Him. He knew that with all their infirmity, their hearts were really true to Him. And He realized that His leaving them was going to disturb them greatly. The entire program they supposed would be thrown out of joint. They did not understand that God was working everything according to His own will.
So He knew that they would weep. This has been true ever since, for He told them, In the world ye shall have tribulation (v. 33). And while He is absent we cannot expect fullness of joy down here. Think how Gods people are suffering in Europe, Great Britain, and China-real Christians who, if they had their way, would not have seen the nations plunged into war, for they love the Prince of Peace. They love His gospel of peace and would have been willing to do anything to keep the nations from bloody conflict. But they have to suffer with the rest. Oh, how many Christian homes have been broken up! How many Christian wives and children as well as men in arms have had to suffer, and many to die, because of the terrible conditions prevailing. And all of this just because those to whom He came did not know the time of their visitation. When He came, who alone could have brought in peace and blessing, they rejected Him and said, We will not have this man to reign over us (Luk 19:14). So they have had to suffer and endure pain and agony and the horrors of warfare, and bitter persecution. No one has suffered more than His own people.
There is one sense in which His absence gladdens the heart of the world. The world does not want Him. Suppose He came back today. He would interfere with all the plans of the world. Ye shall sorrow, He says, but the world shall rejoice. The world rejoices now in the day of His absence. The worlds sorrow in fullness will be when He returns again, taking vengeance on them that know not God. But in the meantime, Gods plans are working out.
He uses the picture of an expectant mother in the twenty-first verse: A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And so the church is going through its travail pains now. But oh, the joy when at last the new age comes in with the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, when sin and righteousness and malice will be forever put down, and when Jesus will have all authority in this scene, and shall reign in righteousness, speaking peace to all people.
In the meantime, while He is away, this blessed hope is put before us in many different aspects in order that He may reveal to us His grace. We read in the epistle to the Hebrews, For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry (10:37). The hope of His coming is put before us as an incentive to purity of life. We are told in 1 John, And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure (3:3). Are you waiting for the coming of the Lord? You are a Christian. You are trusting Him as your Savior. Well, then, are you allowing anything in your life that is unclean, anything that is impure, anything that is unholy? Oh, if so, then the hope of the coming of the Lord has never yet really gripped your soul. Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. If I am living day by day in expectation of His return, I will see to it that I put out of my life everything that is contrary to His will. Just imagine if I am allowing myself in something impure and Jesus should come at that very moment, how ashamed I would be at His coming. No, if the coming of the Lord is to be truly a blessed hope, I will not want to tolerate anything that would be offensive to Him.
Then you notice the coming of the Lord is put before us as an incentive to service, because at His coming the rewards will be given out. In 1Th 2:19-20 we read, For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy. What does he mean? He says (and Paul is writing to some of his own converts), I have given up everything on earth to preach Christ, and I have the privilege of winning souls to Him. Now at last, when He returns I am looking forward to meeting Him with all that great company that I have led to His feet. Think what it will be for Paul! Think of the thousands who were saved through him when he was here. Think of the millions since then who have read the messages he left behind. Finally, think of him coming before the Lord Jesus Christ when He returns with these great throngs surrounding Him and saying to His Father, Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me (Isa 8:18). It will be then that Paul will get his reward.
And so the hope of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ should stir us up to devoted service. He says, Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give to every man according as his work shall be (Rev 22:12). Everything that is really done for Him will bring a reward in that day. Everything that is a result of that old corrupt nature will go for nothing in that day, and will cause us to suffer loss rather than to obtain a reward. I listened to a Christian berating another believer some little time ago, and oh, the unkind things he said. I inquired, Would you like the Lord Jesus to come and find you talking so of your brother? Oh, he answered, it is all true. Well, I said, love covers a multitude of sins. Now tell me, which nature is it that is working now? We have the divine nature if we are born again. Is that what leads you to speak unkindly of your brother? Oh, the coming of the Lord should be that which tests all our behavior. Is it such that He would approve of when He returns for us?
In this same epistle to the Thessalonians you will find that the apostle is urging upon the Christians the importance of holiness. He links it with the coming of the Lord. In verses 12 and 13 we read, And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: to the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. I dont wonder that Satan likes to becloud this truth of the second coming, because it means so much to Gods people from a practical standpoint. If it really grips my soul, I will want to increase and abound in love to the brethren. I will want to walk in holiness of life. And, oh, what a comfort in the hour of bereavement, is the coming of the Lord. When our dear ones in Christ are taken away from us,
When their words of love and cheer,
Fall no longer on our ear,
Hush, be every murmur dumb,
It is only till He come!
Then will come the glad reunion when we all meet in His presence.
And so the fourth chapter of 1 Thessalonians connects intimately with the sixteenth chapter of John. But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope (1Th 4:13). Note, he does not say we are not to sorrow. He does not call upon us to be hard and cold and stoical. He doesnt forbid our tears. Tears often ease the heart. He has bidden His people to weep with those who weep. WTien He was here, He Himself wept at the grave of His friend Lazarus. He does not tell us we are not to grieve for loved ones taken from us, but He does say we are not to sorrow as others who have no hope. Oh, we have a blessed and wonderful hope! We know we shall meet them again. So He tells us there will be the voice, the shout, the trump, and we shall be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air. I love that word, together, in that connection. You see, there will be wonderful recognition. We were heirs together of the grace of life. We had fellowship together here on earth. We were laborers together in the things of God. We shall be caught up together when Jesus comes.
Down Lifes dark vale we wander,
Till Jesus comes.
We watch and wait and wonder
Till Jesus comes.
All joy! His loved ones bringing,
When Jesus comes.
All praise through heaven ringing,
When Jesus comes.
All beauty bright and vernal,
When Jesus comes.
All glory grand, eternal,
When Jesus comes!
Hell know the way was dreary,
When Jesus comes.
Hell know the feet grew weary,
When Jesus comes.
Hell know what griefs oppressed us,
When Jesus comes.
Oh, how His arms will rest us,
When Jesus comes.
Oh, let my lamp be burning,
When Jesus comes.
For Him, my soul be yearning,
When Jesus comes.
And so we turn now to the last verse of the section we are considering. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you (Joh 16:22). It must be so long as we are in a world filled with pain and suffering, that we must suffer with the groaning creation. But soon we shall behold Him when He returns to take us home. Then our joy will be complete.
So the little while will soon be past, and we shall see Him face to face. Meantime, be it ours to work and labor for Him until He comes.
Fuente: Commentaries on the New Testament and Prophets
said: Joh 16:1, Joh 16:5, Joh 16:19, Joh 12:16, Joh 14:5, Joh 14:22, Mar 9:10, Mar 9:32, Luk 9:45, Luk 18:34
Reciprocal: Mat 13:36 – Declare Luk 24:44 – while Joh 7:36 – manner Joh 13:36 – whither Joh 16:16 – A Joh 16:25 – proverbs Joh 16:30 – are
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
8
These remarks were made among the apostles, unknown to Jesus (as they thought), but he always knew what men were thinking about.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Joh 16:17-18. Some of his disciples therefore said one to another, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while and ye behold me not: and again a little while, and ye shall see me: and, I go away to the Father? They said therefore. What is this which he calleth, A little while? We know not what he speaketh. Their perplexity is natural, and it is occasioned not only by the last words actually used by Jesus, but by what had been so prominent a point in the previous part of His discourse, that He was going away to the Father (Joh 16:10). They fear, however, to ask a direct explanation from their Lord, and some of them discuss the matter among themselves.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
This announcement prompted the disciples to voice their confusion again (cf. Joh 13:36; Joh 14:5; Joh 14:8; Joh 14:22), though this time they kept quizzing (Gr. imperfect tense) one another rather than Jesus. They still did not understand what He meant by His departure (cf. Joh 16:12). Evidently they did grasp that Jesus had been talking about returning to His Father (Joh 14:28), but how could He do that and then reappear in a little while?
Jesus’ references to "a little while" especially perplexed them (Joh 16:18). The fact that John recorded the repetition of "a little while" five times in these three verses shows that he regarded it as very significant.