Jesus tells His disciples, 'A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me.' He connects this coming separation with His going to the Father. The disciples are confused by the repeated expression 'a little while' and privately ask one another what Jesus means.
Jesus in Context
A Little While and You Shall See Me Again
Jesus tells the disciples that in a little while they will no longer see Him and then, after another little while, they will see Him again.
Introduction
Historical and Cultural Context
The immediate setting is Jesus' approaching departure. His disciples know that something is changing, but they do not yet understand how His death, their separation from Him, and His going to the Father fit together.
Their private questioning illustrates a recurring pattern in John: Jesus speaks about events whose significance becomes clearer only as the narrative unfolds. Jesus knows that the disciples want to question Him about what He has said.
Why It Matters
The saying prepares the disciples for an abrupt movement from separation to renewed sight. Their confusion also leads directly into Jesus' explanation that they will experience sorrow while the world rejoices, but that their sorrow will be transformed into joy.