Thoughts of Grace

John 16:16-22
Jesus says
A little while, and ye shall not see me:
and again, a little while, and ye shall see me,
because I go to the Father.

Then said some of his disciples among themselves,
What is this that he saith unto us,
A little while, and ye shall not see me:
and again, a little while,
and ye shall see me: and,
Because I go to the Father?
What is this that he saith,
A little while?
we cannot tell what he saith.

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:
and ye shall be sorrowful,
but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow,
because her hour is come:
but as soon as she is delivered of the child,
she remembereth no more the anguish,
for joy that a man is born into the world.
And ye now therefore have sorrow:
but I will see you again,
and your heart shall rejoice,
and your joy no man taketh from you.

from Clarke’s Commentary
Your joy no man taketh from you – Or, shall take away.
. . .Our Lord’s meaning appears to have been this:
that his resurrection should be so completely demonstrated
to them, that they should never have a doubt concerning it;
and consequently that their joy should be great and permanent,
knowing that the atonement was made,
the victory gained,
and the kingdom of heaven opened to all believers.