John 16:16

A little while, and ye behold me no more; and again a little while, and ye shall see me.

A little while ... The difference in the verbs "behold" and "see" as associated with the two "little while's" here has occasioned all kinds of exegesis as to what is meant by the second "see." Does it refer to his appearances after the resurrection, or to their "seeing" him in a spiritual sense at Pentecost and afterward, or is the Lord's coming in the second advent indicated? Gaebelein strongly argued for a reference to Pentecost.[18] Barnes declared flatly that "After three days, he would rise again and appear to their view."[19] Perhaps Westcott's device of making the meaning include all three is the best way to understand it. He said:

The fulfillment of this promise must not be limited to one event, as the Resurrection, Pentecost, or the Return. The beginning of the new vision was at the Resurrection; the potential fulfillment of it was at Pentecost, when the spiritual presence of the Lord was completed by the gift of the Holy Spirit. This Presence, slowly realized, will be crowned by the Return.[20]

[18] Arno C. Gaebelein, op. cit., p. 306.

[19] Albert Barnes, op. cit., p. 349.

[20] B. F. Westcott, op. cit., p. 232.