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?
Original Language Analysis
ἐκ
some of
G1537
ἐκ
some of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
3 of 32
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 32
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
πρὸς
among
G4314
πρὸς
among
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
7 of 32
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
Τί
What
G5101
Τί
What
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
9 of 32
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
ὃ
G3739
ὃ
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
12 of 32
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
λέγει
that he saith
G3004
λέγει
that he saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
13 of 32
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
καί
and
G2532
καί
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
θεωρεῖτέ
see
G2334
θεωρεῖτέ
see
Strong's:
G2334
Word #:
18 of 32
to be a spectator of, i.e., discern, (literally, figuratively (experience) or intensively (acknowledge))
καί
and
G2532
καί
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
20 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πάλιν
again
G3825
πάλιν
again
Strong's:
G3825
Word #:
21 of 32
(adverbially) anew, i.e., (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand
καί
and
G2532
καί
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
23 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὄψεσθέ
ye shall see
G3700
ὄψεσθέ
ye shall see
Strong's:
G3700
Word #:
24 of 32
to gaze (i.e., with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from g0991, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from g1
καί
and
G2532
καί
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
26 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Ὅτι
Because
G3754
Ὅτι
Because
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
27 of 32
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ὑπάγω
go
G5217
ὑπάγω
go
Strong's:
G5217
Word #:
29 of 32
to lead (oneself) under, i.e., withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight), literally or figuratively
πρὸς
among
G4314
πρὸς
among
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
30 of 32
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
Cross References
Mark 9:32But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.John 16:5But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?John 16:16A 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 14:5Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?John 16:19Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire 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?Mark 9:10And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.John 12:16These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.Luke 18:34And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.
Historical Context
This verse captures a moment of profound human vulnerability on the eve of Jesus's passion. The disciples had left everything to follow Jesus (Matthew 19:27), expecting earthly messianic kingdom establishment. Now Jesus speaks of departure, brief absence, and return—concepts that shattered their eschatological framework. Their confusion reflects first-century Jewish messianic expectation, which anticipated permanent earthly reign, not death and resurrection. Only post-resurrection could they comprehend Jesus's words (John 2:22, Luke 24:25-27). The early church faced similar confusion about Christ's return—Paul addressed it in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
Questions for Reflection
- When have you experienced confusion about God's timing or promises, and how did (or should) you respond to that uncertainty?
- What does the disciples' honest admission 'we cannot tell' teach about authentic discipleship versus pretending to understand what we don't?
- How does the disciples' confusion encourage believers who struggle to understand Scripture or God's ways?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The disciples' question—What is this that he saith unto us, A little while...? (τί ἐστιν τοῦτο...;/ti estin touto...?)—reveals honest confusion in the face of divine mystery. They verbatim repeat Jesus's words back to each other (λέγουσιν ἐξ ἀλλήλων/legousin ex allēlōn, "they said among themselves"), showing they heard but didn't understand.
The repetition of μικρόν (mikron, "a little while") three times in their question highlights their perplexity. Linear time (χρόνος/chronos) versus God's appointed time (καιρός/kairos) creates the confusion—what seems long to humans may be brief to God (2 Peter 3:8). They fixate on the paradox: how can Jesus be simultaneously absent and present?
We cannot tell what he saith (οὐκ οἴδαμεν τί λαλεῖ/ouk oidamen ti lalei)—honest admission of ignorance. The disciples' confusion demonstrates that even those closest to Jesus sometimes misunderstand His teaching. Spiritual illumination requires the Spirit's work, not mere physical proximity to Christ.