The disciples will be sad first but after that they will be happy
16 Jesus then said, ‘After a short time, you will not see me any more. But soon after that, you will see me again.’ 17 Some of his disciples said to each other, ‘What does he mean? He says, “After a short time, you will not see me any more, but soon after that you will see me.” He also says, “It is because I go to the Father.” 18 What does he mean when he says, “a short time”? We do not know what he is talking about!’
19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him about this. So he said to them, ‘I said, “After a short time, you will not see me. But soon after that, you will see me again.” Perhaps you are asking each other about that. 20 I tell you this: You will be sad and you will cry. But the people who belong to this world will be happy. Yes, you will be sad. But soon after that, you will become happy instead. 21 It will be like this. When a woman is soon to give birth to a baby, she is sad. She knows that it will be painful. But after the baby is born, she is happy. She forgets her pain, because now she is so happy. She is happy because her child has been born into the world. 22 It is like that for you. You are sad now. But I will see you again, and then you will be happy. You will be really happy. Nobody will be able to take away your joy.
23 When that day arrives, you will not ask me for anything. I tell you this: The Father will help you with anything that you ask him for in my name. 24 Until now, you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask God, and you will receive what you ask for. Then you will be completely happy.
25 I have spoken to you with words and stories that are like pictures. But there will be a time when I will not speak like that any more. Instead, I will speak clearly to you about the Father. 26 When that day arrives, you yourselves will ask the Father in my name. I do not say that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27 I will not need to do that, because the Father himself loves you. He loves you because you love me, and you have believed that I came from God. 28 Yes, I came from the Father, and I came into this world. Now I will leave this world and I will return to the Father.’
16:26‘In my name’ means ‘because you belong to me’. The disciples will be united with Jesus. They will ask for things that God is happy to give to them.
29 Jesus' disciples said to him, ‘Now you are speaking clearly. You are not speaking with words that are like pictures! 30 Now we are sure that you know everything. You do not even need to ask people what they are thinking. Because of this, we believe that you came from God.’ 31 Jesus answered them, ‘You say that you believe in me now. 32 But it will happen very soon that all of you will run away to your own homes. Yes, that time has already arrived. You will run away and leave me alone. But I will not really be alone, because the Father is always with me. 33 I have told you these things so that you will have peace. You will be like that because you live together with me. In this world, you will have trouble. But be brave! I have destroyed the power of this world.’
