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John 16:19

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 16:19 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Jesus 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?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Jesus 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?
John 16:19 — American Standard Version

Context — John 16

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
21A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but when she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for the joy that a man is born into the world.
22And ye therefore now have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no one taketh away from you.
← John 16:18John 16:20 →
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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
“Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, etc.] This is a proof of Christ’s deity, that he is the omniscient God who knows all things, what is in man, even the secrets of the heart; for he not only knew the whisperings of the disciples, and their inquiries among themselves about the sense of his words, but also their secret desires to ask him concerning it: and said unto them, do ye inquire 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? which he said before they could put the question to him, they being bashful, and backward, through fear or shame; and which not only confirms what is before observed of his…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Jesus said to them - Preventing their question. John 16:20”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Jesus: Joh 16:30, Joh 2:24, Joh 2:25, Joh 21:17; Psa 139:1-4; Mat 6:8, Mat 9:4; Mar 9:33, Mar 9:34; Heb 4:13; Rev 2:23 A little: Joh 16:16, Joh 7:33, Joh 13:33, Joh 14:19 John 16:20”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification