John 16:16

Syriac Peshitta (NT Only)

ܩܰܠܺܝܠ ܘܠܳܐ ܬ݁ܶܚܙܽܘܢܳܢܝ ܘܬ݂ܽܘܒ݂ ܩܰܠܺܝܠ ܘܬ݂ܶܚܙܽܘܢܳܢܝ ܕ݁ܳܐܙܶܠ ܐ݈ܢܳܐ ܠܘܳܬ݂ ܐܰܒ݂ܳܐ ܀

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

A: John 16:5, John 16:10, John 16:17-19, John 7:33, John 12:35, John 13:33, John 14:19

a little while: John 20:19-29, John 21:1-23, Acts 1:3, Acts 10:40, Acts 10:41, 1 Corinthians 15:5-9

because: John 16:28, John 13:3, John 17:5, John 17:13, Mark 16:19, Hebrews 12:2

Reciprocal: Luke 5:35 - when Luke 17:22 - when Luke 24:44 - while John 14:28 - heard John 16:19 - A little John 16:25 - proverbs

Gill's Notes on the Bible

A little while and ye shall not see me,.... Meaning, that he should be quickly taken from them by death. And in a very little time after this, having put up a prayer for them, recorded in the next chapter, he went into the garden, where he was met by Judas with his band of men, who laid hold on him, bound him, and led him first to Annas, then to Caiaphas, and from him to Pilate, when all the disciples forsook him and fled, and saw him no more in this mortal state, except Peter and John. He took his trial, was soon condemned, and crucified, and laid in the dark tomb, and silent grave, where, for a while, he was out of sight.

And again, a little while and ye shall see me; referring either to his rising again the third day from his death, as was prophesied of, Hosea 6:2; and was typified by Jonah's lying three days and three nights in the whale's belly, when he appeared to, and was seen by his disciples, to their great joy; or else to the short time in which he was to be, and was seen by them; namely, forty days between his resurrection and ascension; a longer stay it was not necessary he should make, for he had other work to do, for himself and them:

because I go to the Father; to give an account of the work he had finished on earth; to carry in his blood, righteousness, and sacrifice; to present himself to his Father on behalf of his people; to appear in the presence of God for them; to be their advocate, plead their cause, and make intercession for them, and take possession of heaven in their name; to take his place at the right hand of God in their nature; to receive a kingdom for himself, and then return.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

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 are three important events foretold for the consolation of the disciples; yet they were stated in such a manner that, in their circumstances and with their prejudices, it appeared difficult to understand him.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse John 16:16. A little while — He had but a few hours to live.

And ye shall not see me — I shall be hidden from your view in the grave.

Again a little while — In three days after my death:

Ye shall see me — I will rise again, and show myself to you. Or, As I am going by my ascension to the Father, in a short time, ye shall see me personally no more; but in a little while I shall pour out my Spirit upon you, and others through your ministry; and ye shall see me virtually in the great and wonderful work which shall then take place in the hearts and lives of men.

This may also refer to his coming again to destroy the Jewish state, and also to judge the world; but how can this latter be said to be in a little while? Because a thousand years are but as a day in the sight of God: Psalms 90:4.