King James Version

What Does John 16:19 Mean?

John 16:19 in the King James Version says “Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A ... — study this verse from John chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?

John 16:19 · KJV


Context

17

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?

18

They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.

19

Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?

20

Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

21

A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him (ἔγνω ὁ Ἰησοῦς ὅτι ἤθελον αὐτὸν ἐρωτᾶν/egnō ho Iēsous hoti ēthelon auton erōtan)—the verb ἔγνω (egnō, "knew") indicates Jesus's divine omniscience. Without hearing their private conversation (verses 17-18), He perceived their desire to question Him. This echoes John 2:24-25: "Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men...he knew what was in man."

The verb θέλω (thelō, "to desire, will, want") reveals the disciples' internal struggle—they wanted to ask but hesitated, perhaps from confusion, reverence, or fear. Jesus's gracious initiative in addressing their unspoken question demonstrates divine compassion meeting human need.

Do ye enquire among yourselves...? (ζητεῖτε μετ' ἀλλήλων...;/zēteite met' allēlōn...?)—Jesus verbatim quotes His own words from verse 16, showing He heard their private discussion. The verb ζητέω (zēteō, "to seek, enquire, investigate") indicates earnest searching. Jesus doesn't rebuke their confusion but meets them where they are, patiently re-explaining truth they couldn't yet grasp.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus's omniscience—knowing unspoken thoughts and private conversations—continually amazed and unnerved people. The Samaritan woman exclaimed, "Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did" (John 4:29). Nathanael marveled, "Whence knowest thou me?" (John 1:48). This divine attribute authenticated Jesus's messianic claims. In the Upper Room, as the disciples whispered among themselves, Jesus's knowledge of their confusion would have been both comforting (He understands our struggles) and sobering (nothing is hidden from Him). For the early church facing persecution, Christ's omniscience assured them that He knew their suffering and would sustain them.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus's knowledge of your unspoken questions and struggles before you articulate them demonstrate His divine nature and personal care?
  2. What does Jesus's gracious initiative in answering the disciples' unasked question teach about how God meets believers in their confusion?
  3. When you struggle to understand Scripture or God's ways, do you bring your honest questions to Jesus (as the disciples eventually would) or keep them hidden?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 29 words
ἔγνω1 of 29

knew

G1097

to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)

οὖν2 of 29

Now

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

3 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰησοῦς4 of 29

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

ὅτι5 of 29

that

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἤθελον6 of 29

they were desirous

G2309

to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),

αὐτοῖς7 of 29

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐρωτᾶν8 of 29

to ask

G2065

to interrogate; by implication, to request

καὶ9 of 29

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εἶπον10 of 29

I said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτοῖς11 of 29

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Περὶ12 of 29

of

G4012

properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas

τούτου13 of 29

that

G5127

of (from or concerning) this (person or thing)

ζητεῖτε14 of 29

Do ye enquire

G2212

to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by hebraism) to worship (god), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)

μετ'15 of 29

among

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

ἀλλήλων16 of 29

yourselves

G240

one another

ὅτι17 of 29

that

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

εἶπον18 of 29

I said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

μικρὸν19 of 29

A little while

G3397

a small space of time or degree

καὶ20 of 29

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οὐ21 of 29

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

θεωρεῖτέ22 of 29

see

G2334

to be a spectator of, i.e., discern, (literally, figuratively (experience) or intensively (acknowledge))

με23 of 29

me

G3165

me

καὶ24 of 29

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

πάλιν25 of 29

again

G3825

(adverbially) anew, i.e., (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand

μικρὸν26 of 29

A little while

G3397

a small space of time or degree

καὶ27 of 29

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ὄψεσθέ28 of 29

ye shall see

G3700

to gaze (i.e., with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from g0991, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from g1

με29 of 29

me

G3165

me


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 16:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 16:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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