Charles Spurgeon Commentary John 16:19-20

"Jesus perceived that they were desirous to ask him, and he said unto them, Do ye inquire among yourselves concerning this, that I said, A little while, and ye behold me not, and again a little while, and ye shall see me? Verily, verily, I say unto you, that ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy." — John 16:19-20 (ASV)

And said to them, Do you enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and you shall not see me: and again, a little while, and you shall see me? Verily, verily, I say to you, That you shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and you shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

Oh, what a blessed promise!

Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me? Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament,

Christ would die; he would go away and be unseen. On the cross he would depart out of this life; in the tomb he would be hidden from his disciples: Ye shall weep and lament.

And said to them, Do you inquire among yourselves about what I said, A little while, and you will not see me: and again, a little while, and you will see me? Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice: and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.

Not merely will your sorrow be taken away, but it will be transformed. As the alchemist thought that he turned baser metal into gold, so in very truth, by a heavenly alchemy, does Christ turn the sorrow of his people—not in this case only, but in many others—into joy.

Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me? Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice:

Sometimes the world appears to have the best of it. Its mouth is full of laughter while the child of God cannot speak for sorrow. Ah! well, there is time enough for a change. We may very well let those laugh today who will have to gnash their teeth forever. Do not judge God by your present circumstances. Take the rough with the smooth. Be willing to go to heaven up the bleak side of the hill.