A.T. Robertson Commentary John 16:17

"[Some] of his disciples therefore said one to another, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye behold me not; and again a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?" — John 16:17 (ASV)

Some of the disciples (εκ των μαθητων αυτου). Ellipsis of time (some) before εκ as in 7:40. Jesus seemed to contradict himself, for the disciples took both verbs in the same sense and were still puzzled over the going to the Father of 14:3. But they talk to one another, not to Jesus.