Barnes New Testament Notes

Verse 37. For yet a little while. There seems to be an allusion here to what the Saviour himself said, "A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me," Joh 16:16. Or more probably, it may be to Hab 2:3: "For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry." The idea which the apostle means to convey evidently is, that the time of their deliverance from their trials was not far remote.

And he that shall come will come. The reference here is, doubtless, to the Messiah. But what "coming" of his is referred to is more uncertain. Most probably the idea is, that the Messiah, who was coming to destroy Jerusalem, and to overthrow the Jewish power, (Mt 25,) would soon do this. In this way he would put a period to their persecutions and trials, as the power of the Jewish people to afflict them would be at an end. A similar idea occurs in Lu 21:28, "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." See Barnes "Lu 21:8".

The Christians in Palestine were oppressed, reviled, and persecuted by the Jews. The destruction of the city and the temple would put an end to that power, and would be, in fact, the time of deliverance for those who had been persecuted. In the passage before us, Paul intimates that that period was not far distant. Perhaps there were already "signs" of his coming, or indications that he was about to appear; and he therefore urges them patiently to persevere in their fidelity to him during the little time of trial that remained. The same encouragement and consolation may be employed still. To all the afflicted it may be said, that "he that shall come will come" soon. The time of affliction is not long. Soon the Redeemer will appear to deliver his afflicted people from all their sorrows; to remove them from a world of pain and tears; and to raise their bodies from the dust, and to receive them to mansions where trials are for ever unknown. See Barnes "Joh 14:3 1 Th 4:13-18.

{b} "yet a little while" Hab 2:3,4 {*} "come" "is to come" {+} "tarry" "delay" iv.13 -- 18.