16:18a

They kept asking: These words indicate that some of the disciples asked other disciples. The form of the verb in Greek indicates that they did this many times. They were still speaking to one another, not to Jesus directly. Because the disciples continued to ask questions among themselves, it may be natural to leave these words implied (see Good News Translation).

Why is He saying, ‘a little while’?: This question indicates that Jesus’ phrase ‘a little while’ especially confused the disciples. Here are other ways to translate this question:

What is this ‘little while’ that he is talking about? (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
What does this ‘a little while’ mean? (Good News Translation)
-or-
What does he mean by ‘a little while’? (New Century Version)

In some languages it may be natural to translate the direct quotation of Jesus’ words as an indirect quotation. For example:

What is meant by just a little time? (Tagbanwa Back Translation)
-or-
He says that it will be just a little while. What does that mean?

16:18b

We do not understand what He is saying: The disciples could not understand what Jesus meant. They did not understand that the Messiah would die, rise again, and go to heaven. Your translation should make clear that the disciples understood Jesus’ words but did not know what events they referred to. For example:

We do not know what he means. (Revised English Bible)
-or-
We do not understand what he is talking about. (NET Bible)

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