John 16:17-18

‘Some of his disciples therefore said to one another, “What is this that he says to us? ‘A little while and you see me not, and again a little while and you will see me'. And ‘because I go to my Father'?” They said therefore, “What is this that he says, ‘a little while'. We do not know what he is talking about.”

This is John's method of indicating a real and general discussion. His words have caught the attention of the disciples and they now talk over with each other some of what He has said. First he speaks of going to the Father and being seen no more (v. 10). Then He speaks of not being seen and then being seen (v. 16). What on earth can He mean? But they do not like to ask Him Himself, although they are genuinely puzzled. These indications of Apostolic puzzlement are a confirmation of the genuine historicity of the narrative. No one would have invented them afterwards in respect of men who were so highly revered.