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John 16:17
ESV So 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’?"
NIV 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,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?"
NASB So some of His disciples said to one another, 'What is this that He is telling us, ‘A little while, and you are not going to see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?'
CSB Then some of his disciples said to one another, "What is this he’s telling us: ‘A little while and you will not see me; again a little while and you will see me’ and, ‘because I am going to the Father’ ?"
NLT Some of the disciples asked each other, 'What does he mean when he says, ‘In a little while you won’t see me, but then you will see me,’ and ‘I am going to the Father’?
KJV Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father
NKJV Then some of His disciples said among themselves, “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 go to the Father’?”

What does John 16:17 mean?

It's tempting—and unfair—for modern readers to look back at Jesus' closest followers, the Twelve, with scorn. They frequently respond to Jesus' teachings with confusion, or even resistance (Matthew 16:21–23). However, we have the benefit of hindsight; we have a clear understanding of exactly what is about to happen (Luke 1:1–4). The men hearing from Christ during this Last Supper (John 13:1–5) don't have those advantages. They won't have clarity until after everything has happened (John 2:22), and they are guided by the Holy Spirit (John 16:13).

The statement Jesus has just made is especially confusing for His disciples (John 16:16). Many of His recent comments mentioned leaving (John 16:7, 10), but now He has referred to being seen again, after a short while. What they don't know yet, is that after Jesus is arrested (John 18:1–3) and crucified (John 19:18), He will be resurrected (John 20:19), and appear to them for 40 days prior to ascending into heaven (Acts 1:3–9).

Jesus will take note of their struggle, however, and provide some clarity in the upcoming verses (John 16:19–20).
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