John 14:29

14:29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe. ¹ 

John 16:18

16:18 So they kept on repeating, ²  “What is the meaning of what he says, ³  ‘In a little while’? ⁴  We do not understand ⁵  what he is talking about.” ⁶ 

[14:29]  ¹ sn Jesus tells the disciples that he has told them all these things before they happen, so that when they do happen the disciples may believe. This does not mean they had not believed prior to this time; over and over the author has affirmed that they have (cf. 2:11). But when they see these things happen, their level of trust in Jesus will increase and their concept of who he is will expand. The confession of Thomas in 20:28 is representative of this increased understanding of who Jesus is. Cf. John 13:19.

[16:18]  ² tn Grk “they kept on saying.”

[16:18]  ³ tn Grk “What is this that he says.”

[16:18]  ⁴ tn Grk “A little while.” Although the phrase τὸ μικρόν (to mikron) in John 16:18 could be translated simply “a little while,” it was translated “in a little while” to maintain the connection to John 16:16, where it has the latter meaning in context.

[16:18]  ⁵ tn Or “we do not know.”

[16:18]  ⁶ tn Grk “what he is speaking.”