John 13:33
“Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus prepares his disciples for his imminent departure, their yearning for him, and the way that is closed to them for now.
Context
Jesus is teaching the disciples during the Last Supper, in his farewell discourse (John 13-17). He has just washed their feet as an act of humility and service. The context is the eve of the crucifixion.
In the Original Language
teknion (Greek), 'little child' -- a term of intimate affection, emphasizing the childlike dependence and vulnerability of the disciples before their risen Lord
Application
When we long for a deeper sense of Christ's presence, or when we struggle with not understanding his purposes, we join the disciples in their need. We are invited to trust that his absence is temporary and purposeful, and that seeking him is itself a form of prayer.