John 16:16–18 (WEL) “In a little while you will no longer see me, and again in a little while you will see me because I go to the Father.” 17 Then some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘In a little while you will no longer see me, and in a little while you will see me again’, and ‘because I go to the Father?’” 18 That’s why they said, “What is this when he says, ‘a little while?’ We don’t understand what he says.”
V16 “In a little while you will no longer see me, and again in a little while you will see me because I go to the Father.”
Jesus is a prophet. Future prophecy is to be understood in its plain, normal sense.
So, what does this mean?
Jesus will physically die, physically be buried, raised to life in a new body, minister for 40 days, and ascend into heaven. He will not be seen by those who do not believe until Judgment Day (Revelation 20:11–15). The believers did see Him after He rose from the dead. Compare 1 Corinthians 15:3–8.
V17 Then some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘In a little while you will no longer see me, and in a little while you will see me again’, and ‘because I go to the Father?’”
This is an eyewitness statement lending to the idea that this John is John the Apostle.
Principle: Eyewitnesses are the gold standard, and Jesus made sure He had plenty of witnesses. Compare 2 Peter 1:16, 1 John 1:1, 1 Corinthians 15:5, and Luke 1:2.
V18 That’s why they said, “What is this when he says, ‘a little while?’ We don’t understand what he says.”
Prophecy is not always understood until it is fulfilled.
We learn:
- That Jesus is a prophet.
- Prophecy is most clear as it is and will be fulfilled.
Questions:
- Do you believe that Jesus is a prophet?
- Do you believe His prophecies in their plain, normal sense?