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Commentaries
English
John
  
33Jesus then said, "I shall be with you a little longer, and then I shall go to Him who sent me,34You will seek me and you will not find me; where I am you cannot come."35The Jews said to one another, "Where does this man intend to go that we shall not find him? Does he intend to go to the dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks?36What does he mean by saying, ‘You will seek me and will not find me,’ and, ‘Where I am you cannot come?’ "


Jesus announced to his foes that he would abide briefly among his fellowmen. He already knew that he would die as the Lamb of God. At the same time he knew the timing of his resurrection, his ascension and return to the Father. Jesus longed for his Father, who had sent him to redeem us. For love of us he remained in the world away from his heavenly home.
Jesus foresaw how his followers would be amazed at his resurrection and ascension. They would return sad, since they lacked the spiritual bodies that would rise with him to heaven. He also knew that his foes would search for his ‘lost’ body that would vanish from the sealed tomb. Woe to them who do not love the Savior! They are unable to share in his glory or enter heaven. Their sins will separate them from God. Unbelief keeps them out of the realm of grace.
The Jews failed to grasp the words of Jesus, as they thought in human ways that he wanted to flee to Jewish synagogues in Greek cities round the Mediterranean. His purpose would have been to catch followers from among those unfamiliar with the Hebrew Scriptures. Some mocked and said, "He may be keen on becoming a learned orator and present his views to Greek philosophers and lead them to the living God.
When John recorded the discourses of Jesus and these events, he was living in Ephesus among Greeks. The good tidings of salvation had reached the Jewish dispersion there. Many Greeks believed in Christ. The evangelist saw in Jesus’ words and the mockery of the Jews a proclamation that Jesus is the great teacher among the Greeks. He did not offer empty philosophies that lead to pessimism. He is the life-giver; from him springs power that never fails.

Question
What did Jesus predict regarding his future?