John 16:17

17 dixerunt ergo ex discipulis eius ad invicem quid est hoc quod dicit nobis modicum et non videbitis me et iterum modicum et videbitis me et quia vado ad Patrem

John 16:17 Meaning and Commentary

John 16:17

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.

John 16:17 In-Context

15 omnia quaecumque habet Pater mea sunt propterea dixi quia de meo accipit et adnuntiabit vobis

16 modicum et iam non videbitis me et iterum modicum et videbitis me quia vado ad Patrem

17 dixerunt ergo ex discipulis eius ad invicem quid est hoc quod dicit nobis modicum et non videbitis me et iterum modicum et videbitis me et quia vado ad Patrem

18 dicebant ergo quid est hoc quod dicit modicum nescimus quid loquitur

19 cognovit autem Iesus quia volebant eum interrogare et dixit eis de hoc quaeritis inter vos quia dixi modicum et non videbitis me et iterum modicum et videbitis me