What does John 16:16 mean?

Explanation

[A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.] - John 16:16 (KJV)

This verse is part of a discussion Jesus is having with his disciples during the Last Supper.

Literally, Jesus is speaking about His impending departure - His crucifixion, when He will be taken from their sight, and His resurrection, when they will see Him again briefly.

On a deeper level, this verse prefigures the ascension of Jesus to heaven ('because I go to the Father') and the subsequent coming of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus is also referring to His ongoing presence with the disciples in a spiritual sense and the coming of the end times when they will be reunited with Him in eternal life.

Historical Context

John 16:16 is part of the Farewell Discourse (John 14-17), which contains Jesus' final teachings and prayers with His disciples before His crucifixion.

During this time, Jesus sought to prepare His disciples for His departure and to comfort them about the events that were soon to unfold.

The historical setting is the upper room in Jerusalem on the night of the Last Supper, during the Jewish festival of Passover, which commemorated the exodus from Egypt.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse may be interpreted through several lenses:

• Eschatological: It reflects the Christian belief in the Second Coming of Christ when He will return in glory.
• Christological: It emphasizes Jesus' unique relationship with the Father, affirming Jesus’ divine nature and His pre-existent unity with God.
• Pneumatological: It hints at the promised arrival of the Holy Spirit, who will be with believers after Jesus' ascension, maintaining the divine presence among them.
• Soteriological: It subtly reassures the followers that Jesus' departure is for the purpose of salvation, as it allows Him to fulfill His role in providing a path to eternal life by going to 'the Father.'

Practical Applications

Modern believers may derive several applications from this verse:

• Comfort in Absence: Just as the disciples were comforted by Jesus' promise to return, so can believers find comfort in times of God's seeming absence with the anticipation of His presence.
• Faith in Promises: This verse encourages believers to have faith in God's promises, no matter how mysterious or distant they may seem.
• Hope in Future Glory: Believers are reminded of their ultimate hope in eternal life and the return of Christ.
• Trust in Divine Plans: The verse can inspire trust in the idea that God has a plan that surpasses human understanding, as Jesus' departure (and return) was part of a larger divine plan.

Cross-References

• John 14:19: "Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also."
• John 14:3: "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."
• John 14:28: "Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I."
• Acts 1:9-11: "And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight."

Language Study

The phrase "A little while" comes from the Greek word "μικρὸν" (mikron), which literally means a small or brief period of time. This is a recurring phrase in the discourse, emphasizing the imminent nature of the events Jesus describes.

"Ye shall not see me" and the latter "ye shall see me" signify the physical presence and absence of Christ.

The word "see" here is the Greek word "θεωρεῖτέ" (theoreite), which can mean to see with the eyes, but also to perceive or understand.

The key phrase "I go to the Father" uses the Greek verb "ὑπάγω" (hypagō), which means to lead under, to lead the way, to go away or depart.

In the context, it signifies Jesus' return to the heavenly realm and the Father.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient religions and myths, there are comparable themes of gods or heroes dying and experiencing resurrection or ascension.

For example, in Egyptian mythology, Osiris dies and is resurrected.

In Greek mythology, Heracles ascends to Olympus after his mortal death.

Early Christians might have seen Jesus' death and resurrection in a parallel, albeit unique, light within this cultural context.

Scientific Perspectives

From a naturalistic scientific perspective, discussions about the verse would likely focus on the phenomena of death and the concept of consciousness after death.

Modern science approaches these topics through the lens of brain activity and bodily functions, quite distinct from the spiritual or theological understandings in the verse.

Commentaries

Many biblical commentators have provided insights into John 16:16:

• Matthew Henry Commentary: Henry suggests that these words were meant to prepare the disciples for the sorrow of Jesus' crucifixion and the joy of His resurrection.
• Benson Commentary: Benson emphasizes the distinction between the short period of Jesus' bodily absence and the joy of His spiritual presence through faith and the Holy Spirit.
• Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary: This commentary notes that the "little while" seems to the disciples much longer due to their sorrow, but that time is short in comparison to eternity.