John 16:19
Now 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?
Original Language Analysis
ἔγνω
knew
G1097
ἔγνω
knew
Strong's:
G1097
Word #:
1 of 29
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
4 of 29
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
5 of 29
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἤθελον
they were desirous
G2309
ἤθελον
they were desirous
Strong's:
G2309
Word #:
6 of 29
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
αὐτοῖς
him
G846
αὐτοῖς
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 29
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
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτοῖς
him
G846
αὐτοῖς
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 29
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
Περὶ
of
G4012
Περὶ
of
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
12 of 29
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
ζητεῖτε
Do ye enquire
G2212
ζητεῖτε
Do ye enquire
Strong's:
G2212
Word #:
14 of 29
to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by hebraism) to worship (god), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)
μετ'
among
G3326
μετ'
among
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
15 of 29
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
17 of 29
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
20 of 29
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 #:
22 of 29
to be a spectator of, i.e., discern, (literally, figuratively (experience) or intensively (acknowledge))
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
24 of 29
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 #:
25 of 29
(adverbially) anew, i.e., (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
27 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
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 16:30Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.John 14:19Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.John 7:33Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me.John 13:33Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.
Historical Context
Jesus's omniscience—knowing unspoken thoughts and private conversations—continually amazed and unnerved people. The Samaritan woman exclaimed, "Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did" (John 4:29). Nathanael marveled, "Whence knowest thou me?" (John 1:48). This divine attribute authenticated Jesus's messianic claims. In the Upper Room, as the disciples whispered among themselves, Jesus's knowledge of their confusion would have been both comforting (He understands our struggles) and sobering (nothing is hidden from Him). For the early church facing persecution, Christ's omniscience assured them that He knew their suffering and would sustain them.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's knowledge of your unspoken questions and struggles before you articulate them demonstrate His divine nature and personal care?
- What does Jesus's gracious initiative in answering the disciples' unasked question teach about how God meets believers in their confusion?
- When you struggle to understand Scripture or God's ways, do you bring your honest questions to Jesus (as the disciples eventually would) or keep them hidden?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him (ἔγνω ὁ Ἰησοῦς ὅτι ἤθελον αὐτὸν ἐρωτᾶν/egnō ho Iēsous hoti ēthelon auton erōtan)—the verb ἔγνω (egnō, "knew") indicates Jesus's divine omniscience. Without hearing their private conversation (verses 17-18), He perceived their desire to question Him. This echoes John 2:24-25: "Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men...he knew what was in man."
The verb θέλω (thelō, "to desire, will, want") reveals the disciples' internal struggle—they wanted to ask but hesitated, perhaps from confusion, reverence, or fear. Jesus's gracious initiative in addressing their unspoken question demonstrates divine compassion meeting human need.
Do ye enquire among yourselves...? (ζητεῖτε μετ' ἀλλήλων...;/zēteite met' allēlōn...?)—Jesus verbatim quotes His own words from verse 16, showing He heard their private discussion. The verb ζητέω (zēteō, "to seek, enquire, investigate") indicates earnest searching. Jesus doesn't rebuke their confusion but meets them where they are, patiently re-explaining truth they couldn't yet grasp.