John 12:35

Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

Then {G3767} Jesus {G2424} said {G2036} unto them {G846}, Yet {G2089} a little {G3398} while {G5550} is {G2076} the light {G5457} with {G3326} you {G5216}. Walk {G4043} while {G2193} ye have {G2192} the light {G5457}, lest {G3363} darkness {G4653} come upon {G2638} you {G5209}: for {G2532} he that walketh {G4043} in {G1722} darkness {G4653} knoweth {G1492} not {G3756} whither {G4226} he goeth {G5217}.

Yeshua said to them, “The light will be with you only a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, or the dark will overtake you; he who walks in the dark doesn’t know where he’s going.

Then Jesus told them, “For a little while longer, the Light will be among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.

Jesus therefore said unto them, Yet a little while is the light among you. Walk while ye have the light, that darkness overtake you not: and he that walketh in the darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

In John 12:35, Jesus delivers a poignant warning and urgent call to action to the crowd, shortly before His crucifixion. He identifies Himself as the "light" and emphasizes the limited time they have to respond to His truth.

Context

This statement follows Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem (John 12:12) and His subsequent discourse regarding His impending glorification through death. The crowd was grappling with the concept of a suffering Messiah, contrasting it with their expectation of an earthly king. Jesus' words here serve as a final, direct appeal during His public ministry, urging them to embrace the spiritual truth He embodies before His physical departure.

Key Themes

  • Jesus as the Light of the World: Jesus consistently presented Himself as the source of truth, revelation, and guidance. He is the "light" that dispels spiritual darkness, ignorance, and sin. This theme is central to John's Gospel, echoed in verses like John 8:12 and John 9:5.
  • Urgency and Opportunity: The phrase "Yet a little while is the light with you" highlights the fleeting nature of this divine opportunity. It's a call to immediate decision and action, emphasizing that the window for direct interaction with the incarnate Light is closing.
  • Consequences of Rejecting Light: "Lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth." Rejecting or neglecting the light (Jesus and His teachings) leads to spiritual blindness, moral confusion, and a life without true direction or purpose. This spiritual darkness is a state of being lost and unable to find the way to God.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Greek word for "light" is phos (φῶς), which signifies not just illumination but also truth, knowledge, and life itself. It stands in direct opposition to skotia (σκοτία), "darkness," representing ignorance, sin, and death.
  • "Walk" (Greek: peripateo, περιπατέω) often refers to one's manner of life, conduct, or spiritual journey. Thus, "walk while ye have the light" means to live according to the truth Jesus revealed, to follow His teachings and example.

Practical Application

This verse holds profound relevance for believers today:

  • Seize Spiritual Opportunities: Just as the crowd had a limited time with Jesus, we are called to respond to God's truth and revelation in our lives without delay. The opportunity to embrace salvation and live by God's word is precious and should not be squandered.
  • Live in the Light: We are encouraged to continually live by the truth revealed in Jesus Christ and His Word, which serves as a "lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path" (Psalm 119:105). This means actively pursuing righteousness, understanding, and obedience.
  • Beware of Spiritual Blindness: Persistent indifference or rejection of spiritual truth can lead to a hardening of the heart, where one becomes unable to discern or receive the light. The consequences of walking in spiritual darkness are severe, leading to confusion and a life adrift.
  • Be a Reflector of Light: As followers of Christ, we are called to be "the light of the world" (Matthew 5:14), reflecting His truth and love to a world that often walks in darkness.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 12:46

    I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

  • John 16:16

    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.

  • 1 John 1:6

    If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

  • 1 John 1:7

    But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

  • Ephesians 5:8

    For ye were sometimes darkness, but now [are ye] light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

  • John 8:12

    ¶ Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

  • John 11:10

    But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back