"A little while and you will no longer see me, and again a little while later and you will see me." So some of his disciples said to one another, "What does this mean that he is saying 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'?" So they said, "What is this 'little while' (of which he speaks)? We do not know what he means." Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, "Are you discussing with one another what I said, 'A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me'? Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy. (Jn 16:16-20)
There is an important discussion on ‘a little while’. Probably this is one of ‘all the truths’ which the Spirit of Truth will reveal when he comes. Also the disciples are tired after a long discussion and the festive celebrations that they have had. So Jesus is not going to tell them everything now. Disciples have their own doubts about what Jesus was saying. All will be made clear.
The answer which Jesus gives seems to be interesting and revealing. ‘You will weep and mourn and the world will rejoice. Bur your grief will become joy’. Does Jesus mean by the statement ‘a little while’ the time of grief that he is talking about? Probably yes. The time of grief, that is the time of Jesus’ suffering and death is for a little while only. This grief will be turned to Joy (Resurrection).
So, whatever Jesus says, particularly during the last supper, to the disciples is about his death and resurrection. And whatever happens to the disciples is also linked to the life and mission of Jesus because they are his disciples. The grief and joy that the disciples are feeling are due the situation of Jesus.
