Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. New Living Translation Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer. And as I told the Jewish leaders, you will search for me, but you can’t come where I am going. English Standard Version 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.’ Berean Standard Bible Little children, I am with you only a little while longer. You will look for Me, and as I said to the Jews, so now I say to you: ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ Berean Literal Bible Little children, yet a little while I am with you⁺. You⁺ will seek Me, and as I said to the Jews, now I say also to you⁺: ‘Where I go, you⁺ are not able to come.’ King James Bible 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. New King James Version Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you. New American Standard Bible Little children, I am still with you a little longer. You will look for Me; and just as I said to the Jews, now I also say to you: ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ NASB 1995 “Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ NASB 1977 “Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You shall seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, I now say to you also, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ Legacy Standard Bible Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ Amplified Bible Little children, I am with you [only] a little longer. You will look for Me and, as I told the Jews, so I tell you now, ‘Where I am going, you are not able to come.’ Berean Annotated Bible Little children, I am with you⁺ only a little while longer. You⁺ will look for Me, and as I said to the Jews (people of praise), so now I say to you⁺: ‘Where I am going, you⁺ cannot come. Christian Standard Bible Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so now I tell you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ Holman Christian Standard Bible “Children, I am with you a little while longer. You will look for Me, and just as I told the Jews, Where I am going you cannot come,’ so now I tell you. American Standard Version 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 unto you. Contemporary English Version My children, I will be with you for only a little while longer. Then you will look for me, but you won't find me. I tell you just as I told the people, "You cannot go where I am going." English Revised Version 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 unto you. GOD'S WORD® Translation Jesus said, "Dear children, I will still be with you for a little while. I'm telling you what I told the Jews. You will look for me, but you can't go where I'm going. Good News Translation My children, I shall not be with you very much longer. You will look for me; but I tell you now what I told the Jewish authorities, 'You cannot go where I am going.' International Standard Version Little children, I'm with you only a little longer. You will look for me, but what I told the Jewish leaders I now tell you, 'Where I'm going, you cannot come.' NET Bible Children, I am still with you for a little while. You will look for me, and just as I said to the Jewish religious leaders, 'Where I am going you cannot come,' now I tell you the same. New Heart English Bible Little children, I will be with you a little while longer. You will seek me, and as I said to the Jewish leaders, 'Where I am going, you cannot come,' so now I tell you. Webster's Bible Translation Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye will seek me: and, as I said to the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. Weymouth New Testament Dear children, I am still with you a little longer. You will seek me, but, as I said to the Jews, 'Where I am going you cannot come,' so for the present I say to you. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleLittle children, I am with you only a little while longer. You will look for Me, and as I said to the Jews, so now I say to you: ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ World English Bible Little children, I will be with you a little while longer. You will seek me, and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you can’t come,’ so now I tell you. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionLittle children, yet a little [while] am I with you; you will seek Me, and according as I said to the Jews, I also say to you now: To where I go away, you are not able to come. Berean Literal Bible Little children, yet a little while I am with you⁺. You⁺ will seek Me, and as I said to the Jews, now I say also to you⁺: ‘Where I go, you⁺ are not able to come.’ Young's Literal Translation Little children, yet a little am I with you; ye will seek me, and, according as I said to the Jews -- Whither I go away, ye are not able to come, to you also I do say it now. Smith's Literal Translation Little children, yet a little am I with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said to the Jews, That where I retire, ye cannot come; and I say to you now. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleLittle children, yet a little while I am with you. You shall seek me; and as I said to the Jews: Whither I go you cannot come; so I say to you now. Catholic Public Domain Version Little sons, for a brief while, I am with you. You shall seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you are not able to go,’ so also I say to you now. New American Bible My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. You will look for me, and as I told the Jews, ‘Where I go you cannot come,’ so now I say it to you. New Revised Standard Version Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleMy sons, I am with you yet a little while, and you will want me. And just as I said to the Jews, Where I go you cannot come; so now I tell you also. Aramaic Bible in Plain English “My children, a little longer I am with you, and you will seek me, and just as I said to the Judeans, 'The place to which I am departing, you cannot come', also I say to you now.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentLittle children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and, as I said to the Jews, whither I go, you can not come, so now I say to you. Godbey New Testament Haweis New Testament My dear children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: as I said to the Jews, Whither I am going, ye cannot come; so say I now to you. Mace New Testament my dear children, I am with you but for a little while, you shall seek me: but as I said to the Jews, so now I say to you, "where I am going you cannot come." Weymouth New Testament Dear children, I am still with you a little longer. You will seek me, but, as I said to the Jews, 'Where I am going you cannot come,' so for the present I say to you. Worrell New Testament Worsley New Testament Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Love One Another…32If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify the Son in Himself—and will glorify Him at once. 33Little children, I am with you only a little while longer. You will look for Me, and as I said to the Jews, so now I say to you: ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ 34A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another.… Cross References Little children, 1 John 2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 1 John 2:12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven through His name. Galatians 4:19 My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, I am with you only a little while longer. John 7:33 So Jesus said, “I am with you only a little while longer, and then I am going to the One who sent Me. John 12:35 Then Jesus told them, “For a little while longer, the Light will be among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. John 16:16 In a little while you will see Me no more, and then after a little while you will see Me.” You will look for Me, John 7:34 You will look for Me, but you will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come.” John 8:21 Again He said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for Me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.” Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. and as I said to the Jews, John 8:22-24 So the Jews began to ask, “Will He kill Himself, since He says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” / Then He told them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. / That is why I told you that you would die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” John 7:35-36 At this, the Jews said to one another, “Where does He intend to go that we will not find Him? Will He go where the Jews are dispersed among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks? / What does He mean by saying, ‘You will look for Me, but you will not find Me,’ and, ‘Where I am, you cannot come’?” John 12:36 While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of light.” After Jesus had spoken these things, He went away and was hidden from them. so now I say to you: John 14:29 And now I have told you before it happens, so that when it does happen, you will believe. John 16:4 But I have told you these things so that when their hour comes, you will remember that I told you about them. I did not tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you. John 16:12 I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it. ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ John 3:13 No one has ascended into heaven except the One who descended from heaven—the Son of Man. Treasury of Scripture Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You shall seek me: and as I said to the Jews, Where I go, you cannot come; so now I say to you. Little. Galatians 4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, 1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. yet. John 12:35,36 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth… John 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. John 16:16-22 A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father… Ye. John 7:33 Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me. John 8:21-24 Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come… John 14:4-6 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know… Jump to Previous Able Children Dear Jews Little Present Seek Where WhitherJump to Next Able Children Dear Jews Little Present Seek Where WhitherJohn 13 1. Jesus washes the disciples' feet, and exhorts them to humility and charity.18. He foretells and discovers to John by a token, that Judas should betray him; 31. commands them to love one another; 36. and forewarns Peter of his denials. Little children, This term of endearment reflects Jesus' deep affection and pastoral care for His disciples. It is a unique expression found in John's writings, emphasizing the intimate relationship between Jesus and His followers. The use of "little children" also indicates the disciples' need for guidance and instruction, much like children depend on a parent. I am with you only a little while longer. You will look for Me, and as I said to the Jews, so now I say to you: ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ Persons / Places / Events 1. Jesus ChristThe central figure in this passage, Jesus is speaking to His disciples during the Last Supper, preparing them for His imminent departure. 2. The Disciples The immediate audience of Jesus' words, they are His closest followers who have been with Him throughout His ministry. 3. The Last Supper The setting of this discourse, it is the final meal Jesus shares with His disciples before His crucifixion. 4. The Jews Refers to the broader Jewish audience to whom Jesus had previously spoken about His departure. 5. Jerusalem The city where these events are taking place, significant as the center of Jewish religious life and the location of Jesus' crucifixion. Teaching Points Understanding Jesus' DepartureJesus' departure is not abandonment but a necessary step in God's redemptive plan. Believers should trust in God's timing and purposes. Intimacy with Christ The use of "little children" highlights the tender relationship Jesus has with His followers. Believers are called to maintain a close, child-like trust in Him. Preparation for Future Glory Jesus' departure is a precursor to preparing a place for His followers. Christians should live with the hope and expectation of eternal life with Christ. The Call to Seek Jesus While Jesus physically departs, believers are encouraged to continually seek Him through prayer, scripture, and the Holy Spirit. Living in the Present with Eternal Perspective Understanding that our time on earth is temporary should motivate believers to live purposefully and in alignment with God's will. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of John 13:33?2. How does John 13:33 emphasize Jesus' departure and its impact on the disciples? 3. What does "where I am going, you cannot come" teach about Jesus' mission? 4. How can John 13:33 deepen our understanding of Jesus' relationship with His followers? 5. How does John 13:33 connect with Jesus' promise of the Holy Spirit in John 14? 6. How should John 13:33 influence our daily walk and reliance on Christ? 7. What does Jesus mean by "little children" in John 13:33? 8. Why does Jesus say, "Where I am going, you cannot come" in John 13:33? 9. How does John 13:33 relate to the concept of Jesus' impending departure? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from John 13? 11. What is the meaning of Spirit Baptism? 12. What does the Bible say about Anunnaki and Nephilim? 13. What does it mean to be an empath? 14. What did Jesus mean by "mansions in heaven"? What Does John 13:33 Mean Little children- Jesus gently says, “Little children” (John 13:33), a warm, family term that John later adopts for believers (1 John 2:1). - It shows His tender authority, like the shepherd who knows every lamb (John 10:14). - The phrase reminds us that discipleship is relational, not merely formal—an echo of Mark 10:14, where He welcomes actual children as a picture of kingdom humility. I am with you only a little while longer - The Upper Room setting is hours from the cross; the clock is ticking (John 12:35; 16:16). - Jesus’ limited remaining time adds urgency for the disciples to absorb His final teachings: service (washing feet), love (new command), and reliance on the Spirit (John 14:16-18). - This moment fulfills His earlier warning: “I am with you for only a short time” (John 7:33), confirming His sovereign timetable. You will look for Me - After His arrest and death, they will desperately search for His physical presence (Luke 24:5; John 20:15). - The statement is not a rebuke but a forecast of their sorrow and confusion (John 16:20-22). - Hope glimmers: their seeking will ultimately lead to resurrection joy and, later, Spirit-filled fellowship (Acts 2:4). As I said to the Jews - Jesus previously told the religious leaders, “You will look for Me, but you will not find Me” (John 7:34; 8:21). - To them it was judgment: hardened unbelief would bar access. - By repeating it here, He signals that even sincere followers cannot accompany Him through the unique path of the cross—only He can drink that cup (Matthew 26:42). So now I say to you - The shift personalizes the warning. The disciples’ relationship is different from the hostile leaders’, yet the immediate separation will feel just as real. - This prepares them for temporary loss without casting doubt on their salvation (John 15:3). - It also underlines that privilege does not cancel the necessity of Christ’s exclusive redemptive work. Where I am going, you cannot come - “Where I am going” points to His return to the Father’s glory (John 14:2-3; 17:5). - “You cannot come” means they cannot follow at that moment: • The cross is His alone (Hebrews 10:12). • The tomb and resurrection are His unique victory (Romans 6:9). • The ascension precedes the Spirit’s descent, enabling their future mission (John 16:7; Acts 1:8). - Yet the barrier is temporary. Peter asks later, “Lord, why can’t I follow You now?” and Jesus replies, “You will follow Me later” (John 13:36), promising eventual reunion (John 14:3; 17:24). summary John 13:33 blends tender love with sober reality. Jesus, like a caring father, readies His disciples for the imminent separation of the cross and ascension. They will long for Him, yet cannot accompany Him through His exclusive redemptive journey. Still, His words carry assurance: their inability is momentary, and His departure prepares the way for their future presence with Him and the coming of the Spirit. (33) Little children, yet a little while I am with you.--The thought of His own glory brings with it the thought of their state of orphanage when He shall have departed from them, and He addresses them as "Little children," with a word of tenderness spoken only here by Him. The word impressed itself upon the mind of St. John, and it occurs elsewhere in the New Testament only in his First Epistle (1John 2:1; 1John 2:12; 1John 2:28; 1John 3:7; 1John 3:18; 1John 4:4; 1John 5:21), and in an uncertain reading in the striking words of St. Paul, "My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you." (See Note on Galatians 4:19, and comp. Introduction, p. 371.) . . . Verse 33. - This is the first and only time, in the Gospels that the tender word, little children, is used by the Lord (but compare παιδία of John 21:5, and the repeated adoption by John himself in 1 John 2:1, 12, 28; 1 John 3:7, 18; 1 John 4:4; 1 John 5:21; and τέκνα in Mark 10:24). The adoption of the gentle love-word is appropriate as a link to the new commandment, and reveals the love of departure, the tender love that wells up in his heart, as he contemplates the orphan-like and bereft condition of his disciples. A little while am I still with you. Ye shall seek me in the way of sympathetic love and vivid realization of my spiritual and real presence; and as I said ante the Jews (a term that Christ used in this place only when speaking to his disciples, though he had made use of it to the Samaritans, and would use it to Caiaphas and Pilate), in John 7:33, 34, and John 8:21; but there and then he added, "Ye will not find me," because they would only seek him in carnal ideas and angry disappointment. Observe, he does not here repeat this consequence of the search, because ultimately these disciples would not only seek, but follow and find; nevertheless, he adds: As I said to the Jews, Whither I go, you are not able to come; so at this time I say to you. There are two words used for "now" - νῦν denotes absolutely the present moment; ἄρτι (John 9:19, 25, etc.) denotes here and there, a period distinct from past and future, and yet related to both. The time is not yet come for you to enter into my glory; you cannot yet come, you have to continue my earthly ministry, to prolong the testimony which I have given concerning God, and which God has given concerning me. The time will come when "I will receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also;" but now he prays, "though I am no more in this world, these are in the world holy Father, keep them" (John 17:11).Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Little children,Τεκνία (Teknia) Noun - Vocative Neuter Plural Strong's 5040: A little child. Diminutive of teknon; an infant, i.e. darlings. I am εἰμι (eimi) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. with μεθ’ (meth’) Preposition Strong's 3326: (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives. you ὑμῶν (hymōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. only ἔτι (eti) Adverb Strong's 2089: (a) of time: still, yet, even now, (b) of degree: even, further, more, in addition. Perhaps akin to etos; 'yet, ' still. a little while longer. μικρὸν (mikron) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 3398: Little, small. Including the comparative mikroteros apparently a primary word; small (figuratively) dignity). You will look for ζητήσετέ (zētēsete) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural Strong's 2212: To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot. Me, με (me) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. as καθὼς (kathōs) Adverb Strong's 2531: According to the manner in which, in the degree that, just as, as. From kata and hos; just as, that. I said εἶπον (eipon) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. to the τοῖς (tois) Article - Dative Masculine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Jews, Ἰουδαίοις (Ioudaiois) Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural Strong's 2453: Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah. so καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. now ἄρτι (arti) Adverb Strong's 737: Now, just now, at this moment. Adverb from a derivative of airo through the idea of suspension; just now. I say λέγω (legō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. to you: ὑμῖν (hymin) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. ‘Where Ὅπου (Hopou) Adverb Strong's 3699: Where, whither, in what place. From hos and pou; what(-ever) where, i.e. At whichever spot. I ἐγὼ (egō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. am going, ὑπάγω (hypagō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular Strong's 5217: To go away, depart, begone, die. From hupo and ago; to lead under, i.e. Withdraw or retire, literally or figuratively. you ὑμεῖς (hymeis) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. cannot δύνασθε (dynasthe) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible. come.’ ἐλθεῖν (elthein) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active Strong's 2064: To come, go. Links John 13:33 NIVJohn 13:33 NLT John 13:33 ESV John 13:33 NASB John 13:33 KJV John 13:33 BibleApps.com John 13:33 Biblia Paralela John 13:33 Chinese Bible John 13:33 French Bible John 13:33 Catholic Bible NT Gospels: John 13:33 Little children I will be with you (Jhn Jo Jn) |
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