John 16:17-20 - What does He mean by a little while?

16:17-19

We now get all the “a little while” discussion. The disciples still had very little idea what was going on. The death and resurrection was not part of their worldview! It seems that they did not approach Jesus directly. Probably fearing that Jesus actually had made it clear enough, and He would think that they were a bit thick, which was actually true! Jesus, however, knew what they were talking about.

16:20

So Jesus explains a little more, and shows that He understands what the disciples will be going through. He understands their psychology. Initially they would “weep and lament”, at the same time the world would be rejoicing. “World” here could refer to the Jewish religious leaders and the Romans. For these are the ones who would primarily rejoice, thinking that they had at long last solved a problem. However, when evil leaders advance their plans there are always enough “ordinary” people who go along with it, so they too may have been rejoicing. So the world would consider the cross a triumph for them, while the disciples considered it a disaster. However, the disciples' sorrow would turn to joy three days later.