(c) The sorrow turned into joy . In these verses he approaches the final farewell, in which the whole body of the disciples are introduced as inwardly or among themselves perturbed by the special difficulty of the words. Before the Spirit can do all this, a separation must be experienced. read more
Then said (some) of his disciples one to another, not daring to utter it to him, What is this that he saith to 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? This clause now aggravates their difficulty, whether they associate it with the idea already uttered, or whether they repeat the Lord's word. The program of the future—e.g. form a group of ideas very difficult even for us now to realize or "to know " ... read more
They said, What is this little while whereof he speaketh ? £ ( λέγει ; Vulgate, dicit ). (The R.T. and Westcott and Hort invert the τοῦτο and τί , and thus greatly increase the simplicity of the passage.) What are these two short periods of which he speaks, so full of mysterious significance? We know not what he saith ( λαλεῖ ; Vulgate, loquitur ). We do not apprehend the wonderful interchange of vision and blank darkness—of presence and absence and presence again! read more
A little while - His death would occur in a short time. It took place the next day. See John 14:19.Ye shall not see me - That is, he would be concealed from their view in the tomb.And again a little while - After three days he would rise again and appear to their view.Because I go ... - Because it is a part of the plan that I should ascend to God, it is necessary that I should rise from the grave, and then you will see me, and have evidence that I am still your Friend. Compare John 7:33. Here... read more
John 16:16-22. A little while When I am dead and buried; and ye shall not see me I shall not converse with you on earth, as I have hitherto done; and again For your encouragement and comfort, I assure you it will be but a little while longer, and ye shall see me And that to your much greater comfort and advantage; because I go to the Father When I shall be so mindful of your interest with him, as, ere long, to bring you to an eternal abode with him. Then said some, What is this... read more
147. Difficulties ahead for the disciples (John 16:16-33)Within the next twenty-four hours Jesus would be taken from his disciples, but three days later, after his resurrection, they would see him again. Their sorrow would be replaced by joy, just as a woman’s pains before giving birth are replaced by joy after the child is born (John 16:16-22). Jesus’ victory through death and resurrection would give them a confidence in God that they never had before. They would see Jesus Christ as the... read more
A little while . See on John 13:33 . shall not see Me . Most of the texts read, "see ( App-133 .) Me no more". see . App-133 :. a. Not the same word as in first clause. because , &c. T Tr. A WI R omit this clause. read more
Then = Therefore. among themselves = to (Greek. pros. App-104 .) one another. read more
cannot tell = do not (Greek. ou . App-105 .) know. App-132 . read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - John 16:16-22
The departure of Jesus, with its experiences of sorrow and joy to the disciples. They were soon to stand in a new relation to Christ. I. THE DEPARTURE AND THE RETURN OF CHRIST . "A little while, and ye shall see me no more: then a little while more, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father? 1. Our " Lord foresees and declares his death as almost at hand . That would for the time sever him from the sight of his disciples. 2. He foresees and declares... read more