The Disciples’ Grief Will Turn to Joy

¹⁶ Jesus went on to say, “In a little while^(A) you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.”^(B)

¹⁷ At this, some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’^(C) and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?”^{(D) 18} They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”

²⁵ “Though I have been speaking figuratively,^(A) a time is coming^(B) when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. ²⁶ In that day you will ask in my name.^(C) I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. ²⁷ No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me^(D) and have believed that I came from God.^{(E) 28} I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”^(F)

²⁹ Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech.^{(G) 30} Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe^(H) that you came from God.”^(I)