John 13:33
What does John 13:33 mean?
A plain-English look at John 13:33 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 13:33 means
Jesus addresses them as “Little children,” a term of deep affection, and speaks of His short remaining time with them. They will look for Him, but, as He told the Jews, they cannot now come where He is going. He refers to His death, resurrection, and return to the Father—the path only He can walk to prepare the way for them. The tender address softens the hard truth of separation. Their longing for Him will be real, but absence does not mean abandonment; He is preparing to entrust them with a defining command for their life together.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say unto you.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say unto you.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949My dear children, I am only to be with you a little longer. Then you will be looking for me: and as I said to the Jews, so now I say to you, Where I am going you may not come.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Little children, yet a little am I with you; ye will seek me, and, according as I said to the Jews--Whither I go away, ye are not able to come, to you also I do say <FI>it<Fi> now.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You shall seek me. And as I said to the Jews: Whither I go you cannot come; so I say to you now.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me; and, as I said to the Jews, Where I go ye cannot come, I say to you also now.
Context
This tender warning of departure sets up the “new commandment” in verse 34, which will define the community in Jesus’ physical absence. Verse 35 will stress that their mutual love will be the mark of true discipleship. After that, Peter will fixate on Jesus’ going (verse 36), leading to his bold vow (verse 37) and Jesus’ prediction of his denial (verse 38).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 John 2:1
My little children, these things write I unto you that ye may not sin. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
- John 16:16
A little while, and ye behold me no more; and again a little while, and ye shall see me.
- John 14:4
And whither I go, ye know the way.
- John 12:35
Jesus therefore said unto them, Yet a little while is the light among you. Walk while ye have the light, that darkness overtake you not: and he that walketh in the darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
- John 14:19
Yet a little while, and the world beholdeth me no more; but ye behold me: because I live, ye shall live also.
- 1 John 4:4
Ye are of God, my little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.
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