In the following diagnostic, the symbol List.of exists (it's a method), but it's used in a context where a class is required (after `new`).

The compiler just reports 'cannot find symbol' as the initial diagnostic. The details show that it's searching for a class named 'of' (in 'symbol: class of').

It would perhaps be more clear for the diagnostic to mention that a symbol List.of exists, but that a class is required in this context.

class T {
  List<?> xs = new List.of();
}

javac T.java
cT.java:3: error: cannot find symbol
  List<?> xs = new List.of();
                       ^
  symbol: class of
  location: interface List
1 error