For the phrase In a little while, see 13.33 and 14.19. Note also 7.33 and 12.35.

Two different Greek verbs for see are used in this verse, one from the stem theoreō, and the other from the stem horaō. Some commentators believe that the latter refers to a deeper spiritual insight, but the present consensus of New Testament scholarship is that the two verbs are synonymous.

Then a little while later is more literally “and again a little while,” which the New American Bible translates “but soon after that (you shall see me) again.” As indicated in the introduction to this section, Jesus was most probably referring to his return to the disciples after death, not distinguishing in this instance between the post-resurrection appearances and his final appearance. In some languages it is impossible to be as ambiguous as the phrase a little while is in Greek. It is probably best, in this context, to assume that in a little while refers primarily to Jesus’ immediate reappearance after his resurrection. Therefore one may translate in a little while as essentially equivalent to “in a few days.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .