What Jesus means by his short absence, later return, and going to the Father

Ask honest questions with other believers and keep listening

Pretend the meaning is obvious so you do not look unsure

Decide the words are not important and move on

Treat your first guess as enough and stop thinking about it

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I admit that I have sinned and that I cannot save myself. When I do not understand your words, I still need your mercy. I turn from my sin and from trusting my own wisdom. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. I confess you as my Lord, and I ask you to lead me into your truth. Amen.

Receive Jesus in the Midst of Questions

Lord, revive your Church with humble hearts. Where we have been quick to assume and slow to listen, make us honest learners. Where your words have challenged us, help us ask together, wait together, and keep following you. Renew our love for your voice and our trust in your timing, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Make Your People Teachable Again

Pray by naming the sentence or idea that confuses you, asking Jesus what he means, and inviting him to guide you through the passage and through wise Christian conversation.

Pray Through a Hard Saying

Bring these to God: your impatience when Jesus' words feel unclear; your desire to understand before you obey; your willingness to keep listening while you wait.

Learning to Wait for Understanding

Lord, meet people who are confused by what you are saying. Give them peace, patient faith, and the courage to ask good questions together. Keep them near you even when they do not yet see how your words will unfold, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

For Friends Who Need Clarity

Thank God for the disciples' example of honest questions, for Jesus' patience with confused followers, and for the promise that his words are not meant to leave us alone.

Thank You for Speaking Clearly Enough to Seek

εἶπαν{EE-pan###EE-pan###they said} οὖν{OON###OON###therefore} ἐκ{ek###ehk###from} τῶν{ton###tohn###the} μαθητῶν{ma-thee-TON###mah-thee-TOHN###disciples} αὐτοῦ{af-TOO###ahf-TOO###his} πρὸς{pros###prohs###to} ἀλλήλους·{a-LEE-loos###ah-LEE-loos###one another} Τί{TEE###TEE###what} ἐστιν{es-TEEN###ehs-TEEN###is} τοῦτο{TOO-to###TOO-toh###this} ὃ{o###oh###which} λέγει{LE-yee###LEH-yee###he says} ἡμῖν·{ee-MEEN###ee-MEEN###to us} Μικρὸν{mee-KRON###mee-KROHN###a little while} καὶ{KE###keh###and} οὐ{oo###oo###not} θεωρεῖτέ{theh-o-REE-te###theh-oh-REE-teh###you see} με,{me###meh###me} καὶ{KE###keh###and} πάλιν{PA-leen###PAH-leen###again} μικρὸν{mee-KRON###mee-KROHN###a little while} καὶ{KE###keh###and} ὄψεσθέ{OP-ses-THE###OP-sehs-THEH###you will see} με·{me###meh###me} καί·{KE###keh###and} ⸀Ὅτι{HO-tee###HOH-tee###because} ὑπάγω{ee-PA-go###ee-PAH-goh###I go} πρὸς{pros###prohs###to} τὸν{ton###tohn###the} πατέρα;{pa-TE-ra###pah-TEH-rah###Father}

John 16 : 17 - Confusion, Departure, Anticipation

Therefore, some of His  disciples said to one another, “What is this that He says to us: ‘A little while and you will not see Me, and again a little while and you will see Me,’ and, ‘Because I am going to the Father .’?”

	Mu	m — as in mother
	Alpha	ah — as in father
	Theta	th — as in thin
	Eta	i — as in machine
	Tau	t — as in top
	Omega	o — same as omicron
	Nu	n — as in new

μαθητῶν

Meaning by language

Greek · tap a syllable to hear it

Alphabet Analysis

The word

Word in context

Exegesis

In context — John 16:17

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