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John 16:17

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 16:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “[Some] of his disciples therefore said one to another, What is this that he saith unto 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?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

[Some] of his disciples therefore said one to another, What is this that he saith unto 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?
John 16:17 — American Standard Version

Context — John 16

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14He shall glorify me: for he shall take of mine, and shall declare [it] unto you.
15All things whatsoever the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he taketh of mine, and shall declare [it] unto you.
16A little while, and ye behold me no more; and again a little while, and ye shall see me.
17[Some] of his disciples therefore said one to another, What is this that he saith unto 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?
18They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? We know not what he saith.
19Jesus perceived that they were desirous to ask him, and he said unto them, Do ye inquire among yourselves concerning this, that I said, A little while, and ye behold me not, and again a little while, and ye shall see me?
20Verily, verily, I say unto you, that ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then said some of his disciples among themselves, etc.] 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,…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“said: Joh 16:1, Joh 16:5, Joh 16:19, Joh 12:16, Joh 14:5, Joh 14:22; Mar 9:10, Mar 9:32; Luk 9:45, Luk 18:34 John 16:18”
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Related study paths

Read John 16 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification