John 16:17
Then saide some of his disciples among themselues, What is this that he saith vnto vs, A litle while, and ye shal not see me: and againe, a litle while, and ye shall see me: and, because I goe to the Father? John 16:17 (KJV)
Then said
some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father? John 16:17 (KJV)
Context: To better understand this verse, it is important to consider the context. Jesus spoke these words during the Last Supper, as He was preparing His disciples for His impending departure and the events that would follow, including His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. He was comforting them and preparing them for the difficult times they would face.
The Disciples’ Confusion: The disciples were puzzled by Jesus’ statement. They were struggling to grasp the meaning of His words. They wondered what He meant by saying that they would not see Him for a little while and then see Him again. They were also confused about His reference to going to the Father.
Foreshadowing Jesus’ Death and Resurrection: Jesus was hinting at His imminent death and resurrection. He was preparing the disciples for the fact that He would be taken from them and crucified, causing them not to see Him for a little while. However, He also wanted to assure them that His absence would be temporary, and they would see Him again after His resurrection.
The Ascension and Going to the Father: When Jesus mentioned going to the Father, He was referring to His ascension into heaven. After His resurrection, Jesus would spend forty days appearing to His disciples and others before ascending into heaven to be with the Father. This was an important part of God’s plan, as Jesus would send the Holy Spirit to empower and guide His followers.
Lessons for the Disciples (and us): This verse teaches us several important lessons. First, it reminds us that in the midst of confusion or difficult circumstances, we can trust in Jesus’ words. Even when we don’t fully understand His plans, we can have faith that He is in control. Second, it assures us that Jesus’ absence is temporary. Though He is not physically present with us, He is still with us through the Holy Spirit, and we look forward to His second coming. Lastly, it highlights the significance of Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension. Through His sacrifice, we have the opportunity to be reconciled with God and experience eternal life.
Overall, John 16:17 reminds us to trust in Jesus’ words, even when we don’t fully understand His plans. It encourages us to remember the temporary nature of our present circumstances and to look forward to the hope of Christ’s return.
