John 13:33
Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus calls his disciples "little children" not just out of tenderness, but to highlight their current immaturity and dependence, especially as he prepares them for his impending absence and the immense task ahead. He uses their inability to follow him now not as a permanent rejection, but as a divine timetable, distinguishing their future participation from the Jews' eternal separation.
Jesus tenderly calls his disciples "little children" here, emphasizing his deep affection as he prepares them for his imminent departure. The crucial, easily missed point is the subtle yet significant difference in how he tells them they "cannot come" where he is going. Unlike his earlier, more definitive statement to the Jews, here he omits the implication that they will never find him, instead hinting at a future reunion after his ascension.
Jesus is about to leave his dearest friends, and his words carry an immense weight of love and sorrow. Notice how he addresses them.
In this verse, Jesus calls his disciples 'little children' (teknia). This isn't a dismissive term, but one overflowing with affection and tenderness. Commentators highlight that it signifies a deep, parental love, acknowledging their immaturity and need for care, especially as he prepares to depart. It's Jesus showing he cares deeply for their welfare even as he announces his imminent absence. This tender address softens the hard truth he's about to deliver.
Jesus announces he's leaving, and his disciples won't be able to follow. What does this separation mean, and what will the disciples do?
Jesus tells his disciples, 'Yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me.' This foretells his impending death and the grief his disciples will experience. He anticipates their future longing for his presence. He starkly contrasts this with his earlier statement to the Jews: 'Where I am going you cannot come.' For the Jews, it was a judgment of permanent separation due to their disbelief. For the disciples, it’s a temporary but painful absence, a prelude to their spiritual mission on earth while he is in heaven. They will seek him, but 'now' they cannot follow him to where he is going.
Understand the original words
teknia · Greek Noun
A term of endearment used by Jesus to address His disciples, emphasizing their dependence on Him, His protective care, and the relational intimacy of the covenant family of God.
Jesus, facing his imminent arrest and crucifixion, calls his disciples 'little children,' a term of deep affection. He gently explains his departure, knowing they cannot yet follow him, contrasting their future with the fate of the unbelieving Jews and preparing them for his absence.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Judas Iscariot Departs the Upper Room
During the Last Supper, Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would betray Jesus, leaves the gathering immediately after Jesus indicates his betrayal. This marks a pivotal moment, initiating the final hours of Jesus' earthly ministry.
c. 30 AD
Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial
Shortly after Judas' departure, Jesus foretells that Peter will deny him three times before the rooster crows, highlighting the human weakness and fear that will soon grip the disciples.
c. 30 AD
Jesus Institutes the Lord's Supper
Jesus takes bread and wine, explaining their significance in relation to his body and blood, establishing a new covenant and a memorial for his followers.
c. 30 AD
Jesus Prays for His Disciples
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus offers a profound prayer for his followers, asking for their unity and protection as he faces his impending suffering and death.
Jesus first tells the Jewish crowd that they will seek Him but will not be able to come to where He is going, setting up the parallel He draws with His disciples here.
John 16:5-6Jesus acknowledges the disciples' grief and confusion about His departure, echoing the sentiment in John 13:33 where He warns them they cannot come with Him yet.
Acts 1:8While Jesus tells His disciples they cannot come with Him now, this passage shows His promise that they will receive power and be His witnesses, implying their future calling and eventual reunion with Him.
1 John 2:1The apostle John, likely reflecting on Jesus' words here, refers to believers as 'little children' and emphasizes that if they sin, they have an advocate with the Father, showing the enduring tender relationship Jesus fosters even in His absence.
calvinJohn 13:30-35: "He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night."
- When, therefore, he had received the sop, he went immediately out; and it was night. 31. When, therefore, he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and will immediately glorify him. 33. Little children, but a little while am I yet with you. You shall seek me, and as I said to the Jews,…
henryJohn 13:31-35: "Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him."
13:31-35 Christ had been glorified in many miracles he wrought, yet he speaks of his being glorified now in his sufferings, as if that were more than all his other glories in his humbled state. Satisfaction was thereby made for the wrong done to God by the sin of man. We cannot now follow our Lord to his heavenly happiness, but if we truly believe in him, we shall follow h…
Jesus calls his disciples "little children" not just out of tenderness, but to highlight their current immaturity and dependence, especially as he prepares them for his impending absence and the immense task ahead. He uses their inability to follow him now not as a permanent rejection, but as a divine timetable, distinguishing their future participation from the Jews' eternal separation.
Jesus tenderly calls his disciples "little children" here, emphasizing his deep affection as he prepares them for his imminent departure. The crucial, easily missed point is the subtle yet significant difference in how he tells them they "cannot come" where he is going. Unlike his earlier, more definitive statement to the Jews, here he omits the implication that they will never find him, instead hinting at a future reunion after his ascension.
"Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’" — Jesus calls his disciples "little children" not just out of tenderness, but to highlight their current immaturity and dependence, especially as he prepares them for his impending absence and the imme…
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c. 30 AD
Jesus is Arrested and Tried
Jesus is betrayed by Judas, arrested by temple guards, and undergoes a series of trials before Jewish and Roman authorities.
c. 30 AD
Jesus is Crucified
Jesus is crucified at Golgotha, fulfilling prophecy and offering himself as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity.
c. 30 AD
Jesus is Resurrected
On the third day, Jesus is raised from the dead, demonstrating his victory over sin and death and validating his claims.
