John 16:18
What does John 16:18 mean?
A plain-English look at John 16:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 16:18 means
The disciples confess their ignorance: they do not understand what Jesus means by “a little while.” Their frank admission shows the limits of human insight prior to the events of the cross and resurrection and before the Spirit’s illumination. It also shows the kindness of Jesus’ pedagogical method—He allows their questions to ripen. The phrase “a little while” is frustratingly vague to them, but it is merciful in hindsight: it signals brevity without detailing the pain required. Their confession is the doorway to Jesus’ explanation that follows, where He does not give a calendar but promises a certain outcome—sorrow transformed into joy by His return.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? We know not what he saith.
KJV
King James Version · 1611They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? We know not what he saith.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So they said again and again, What is this he is saying, A little time? His words are not clear to us.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862they said then, `What is this he saith--the little while? we have not known what he saith.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752They said therefore: What is this that he saith, A little while? We know not what he speaketh.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890They said therefore, What is this which he says [of] the little while? We do not know [of] what he speaks.
Context
Continuing their confusion, this verse heightens the need for Jesus to intervene. The disciples’ inability to parse Jesus’ timeline sets the scene for His compassionate response. He will read their thoughts and move from opaque phrasing to a vivid pastoral picture of grief turning to joy. The next verse shows Jesus anticipating their questions, preparing to address not just the words but the heart behind them.
v.17Some of his disciples therefore said one to another, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye behold me not; and again a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?
v.18This passage
v.19Jesus perceived that they were desirous to ask him, and he said unto them, Do ye inquire among yourselves concerning this, that I said, A little while, and ye behold me not, and again a little while, and ye shall see me?
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 24:25
And he said unto them, O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!
- Matthew 16:9
Do ye not yet perceive, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
- Hebrews 5:12
For when by reason of the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need again that some one teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food.
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