John 9:4

KJV

I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

KJV (with Strong's)

I {G1691} must {G1163} work {G2038} the works {G2041} of him that sent {G3992} me {G3165}, while {G2193} it is {G2076} day {G2250}: the night {G3571} cometh {G2064}, when {G3753} no man {G3762} can {G1410} work {G2038}.

Complete Jewish Bible

As long as it is day, we must keep doing the work of the One who sent me; the night is coming, when no one can work.

Berean Standard Bible

While it is daytime, we must do the works of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work.

American Standard Version

We must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Jesus declares the imperative nature and temporal urgency of His divine mission, stating that He must diligently carry out the works commissioned by His Father while the opportunity for public ministry remains. This profound statement, made just before healing a man born blind, underscores His unwavering commitment to God's redemptive plan and highlights the limited window for accomplishing His earthly tasks before the "night" of His passion and the cessation of His active public ministry arrives.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is uttered at the very beginning of the significant narrative of the healing of the man born blind in [John 9](/john/9 "John 9 - Healing the Man Born Blind"). Prior to this statement, Jesus' disciples engage Him in a theological debate, asking whether the man's blindness was a result of his own sin or that of his parents ([John 9:2](/john/9-2 "John 9:2 - Disciples' Question about Sin")). Jesus directly refutes this common misconception, clarifying that the man's condition was "that the works of God should be made manifest in him" ([John 9:3](/john/9-3 "John 9:3 - God's Works Revealed")). Immediately following this declaration, Jesus shifts the focus from the cause of suffering to the divine purpose behind it and the urgent call to action, setting the stage for the miraculous intervention that follows, which powerfully illustrates the "works of God."
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Jewish thought, particularly among the Pharisees, there was a prevalent belief that physical ailments, especially congenital ones like blindness, were direct consequences of sin—either the individual's or their parents'. This belief system is evident in the disciples' question. Jesus' response challenges this deterministic view, redirecting attention from human culpability to divine sovereignty and purpose. The concept of "day" and "night" was also deeply ingrained in Jewish daily life and religious metaphor, representing periods of activity and rest, or light and darkness, often with moral or spiritual implications. Jesus' use of these terms would have resonated with His audience, immediately conveying a sense of temporal limitation and impending change.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major theological themes within John's Gospel. Firstly, it powerfully reinforces the theme of **Jesus' Divine Commission and Obedience**, emphasizing that His entire ministry is an outworking of the Father's will and purpose. He is not acting on His own initiative but as the Father's sent One, fulfilling a specific mission, as seen in [John 5:19](/john/5-19 "John 5:19 - The Son Does What the Father Does") and [John 6:38](/john/6-38 "John 6:38 - Jesus' Will and the Father's"). Secondly, it highlights the **Urgency of Ministry and Opportunity**, presenting Jesus' earthly life as a finite "day" for active service and revelation before the "night" of His passion and the end of His public work. This theme of making the most of the present opportunity is echoed in other teachings, such as the call to walk in the light while it is available ([John 12:35](/john/12-35 "John 12:35 - Walk While You Have the Light")). Finally, it subtly introduces the theme of **Divine Revelation through Works**, where Jesus' miracles are not merely acts of compassion but tangible manifestations of God's power and presence, designed to reveal His glory and draw people to faith, a concept central to the "signs" in John's Gospel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **work (Greek, _ergázomai'_):** This verb signifies to toil, labor, or perform a task. In this context, it refers to the active and diligent execution of the specific deeds, miracles, and teachings that constitute Jesus' ministry. It implies a purposeful and committed engagement in the Father's agenda.
* **day (Greek, _hēméra'_):** Literally referring to the period between dawn and dark, "day" is used here metaphorically to represent the finite duration of Jesus' public ministry on earth. It signifies a time of light, opportunity, and active engagement, when the "works of God" can be openly performed and witnessed.
* **night (Greek, _nýx'_):** As the antithesis of "day," "night" metaphorically represents the impending end of Jesus' active public ministry, culminating in His arrest, trial, crucifixion, and death. It symbolizes a period of darkness, cessation of outward activity, and the temporary triumph of evil, during which His direct, public "work" would cease.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I must work the works of him that sent me":** This clause reveals Jesus' profound sense of divine compulsion and purpose. The "I must" (Greek: _deî_) indicates a divine necessity, not merely a personal preference. Jesus is utterly devoted to fulfilling the mission given to Him by God the Father, who "sent" Him into the world. The "works" refer to all His actions, teachings, and miracles, which are manifestations of God's power and character.
* **"while it is day":** This phrase establishes the temporal constraint on Jesus' mission. The "day" signifies the period of His earthly life and public ministry, a finite window of opportunity during which He can openly perform the Father's works and reveal His glory. It highlights the urgency and limited nature of His time on earth.
* **"the night cometh, when no man can work":** This final clause serves as a stark warning and a prophetic statement. The "night" symbolizes the impending end of Jesus' public ministry, leading to His passion, death, and burial. During this "night," the kind of active, public, redemptive work He was performing would cease. The phrase "when no man can work" underscores the absolute cessation of such opportunities, emphasizing that work must be done while the opportunity exists.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs powerful **Metaphor** and **Symbolism** through the contrasting imagery of "day" and "night." "Day" symbolizes the period of Jesus' active public ministry, characterized by light, opportunity, and the open performance of divine works. Conversely, "night" symbolizes the impending darkness of His suffering, death, and the temporary cessation of His public ministry. This creates a vivid sense of **Urgency**, as Jesus recognizes the finite nature of His time to accomplish the Father's will. The structure also exhibits a form of **Antithesis**, directly contrasting the time of work ("day") with the time of cessation ("night"), thereby amplifying the message of the preciousness of the present moment for divine service. Furthermore, the statement functions as a **Prophetic Declaration**, foreshadowing the events of His passion and the temporary end of His earthly mission.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 9:4 encapsulates a core theological truth about Jesus' identity and mission: He is the Son sent by the Father, utterly committed to accomplishing His divine will within a specific timeframe. This verse connects Jesus' immediate healing work to His broader redemptive purpose, emphasizing that His miracles are not random acts but integral components of God's plan to reveal Himself and bring salvation. It highlights the divine imperative behind His actions and the limited window of opportunity for His earthly ministry, which would culminate in His ultimate work on the cross. The "night" signifies not just the end of His public ministry but also the darkness of sin and death that He would confront and overcome.

* [John 4:34](/john/4-34 "John 4:34 - Jesus' Food is to Do God's Will")
* [Luke 13:32-33](/luke/13-32-33 "Luke 13:32-33 - Jesus' Determination to Fulfill His Mission")
* [Hebrews 9:27](/hebrews/9-27 "Hebrews 9:27 - Appointed to Die Once")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While Jesus' statement in [John 9:4](/john/9-4 "John 9:4 - The Urgency of Mission") primarily refers to His unique divine mission, it carries profound and enduring implications for all believers. It serves as a powerful call to live with intentionality, purpose, and urgency in our own lives of faith and service. Just as Jesus had a finite "day" to accomplish the Father's works, so too do we have a limited span of earthly life—our "day"—to fulfill the unique callings and opportunities God has placed before us. This verse encourages us to be diligent stewards of our time, talents, and resources, actively seeking to "work the works of him that sent me" in our spheres of influence. It reminds us that opportunities for service, evangelism, compassion, and spiritual growth are not endless. The "night" for us may come in various forms: the end of life, the loss of health, or the closing of specific doors of ministry. Therefore, procrastination in matters of faith and obedience is a grave spiritual risk. We are called to seize the present moment, to walk in the light, and to labor faithfully for the Kingdom of God, knowing that our time is precious and accountable.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "works" has God specifically called me to do in this season of my life?**
* **In what ways might I be procrastinating or delaying in fulfilling God's call on my life?**
* **How does understanding the "limited day" of life impact my daily priorities and decisions?**
* **What does it mean to "work the works of Him that sent me" in my specific context (family, work, community)?**

### FAQ
**What is the "night" Jesus refers to, and does this verse apply to believers today?**

Answer: The "night" Jesus refers to in [John 9:4](/john/9-4 "John 9:4 - The Urgency of Jesus' Mission") primarily symbolizes the impending end of His earthly public ministry, culminating in His arrest, trial, crucifixion, and death. It represents a period when His active, visible "works" of healing, teaching, and revealing God's kingdom would temporarily cease in their direct earthly manifestation. This was a time of darkness, suffering, and the apparent triumph of evil, during which the kind of work He was doing would no longer be possible in the same way.

While the primary application of this verse is to Jesus' unique mission, its underlying principle of urgency and stewardship of time is profoundly applicable to believers today. For us, the "day" represents the span of our earthly lives, the period during which we have the opportunity to serve God, share the Gospel, grow in faith, and fulfill our individual callings. The "night" for us can signify the end of our lives, the loss of specific opportunities, or even periods of spiritual or societal darkness where certain forms of work become more challenging. Therefore, the verse serves as a powerful reminder for all Christians to live with intentionality, to "make the most of every opportunity" ([Ephesians 5:16](/ephesians/5-16 "Ephesians 5:16 - Making the Most of Every Opportunity")), and to diligently pursue God's will while we have the time and ability to do so.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[John 9:4](/john/9-4 "John 9:4 - The Urgency of Jesus' Mission") finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not merely in Jesus' earthly miracles, but in the entirety of His redemptive work, culminating in His death and resurrection. The "works of him that sent me" were not only the healings and teachings, but supremely the work of atonement on the cross. The "night" that "cometh" was the darkness of Gethsemane, Calvary, and the tomb, where it seemed "no man can work." Yet, it was precisely in that "night" that Jesus, the obedient Son, performed the greatest work of all: conquering sin and death. His suffering and death were the necessary path to the resurrection, which ushered in a new "day" of salvation and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Through His completed work, Jesus empowers His followers to continue "the works of God" in the world, not in their own strength, but through the indwelling Spirit ([John 14:12](/john/14-12 "John 14:12 - Greater Works Through Believers")). Thus, Jesus' urgent declaration foreshadows the very means by which His mission would be accomplished and extended, ensuring that even in the "night," His redemptive work would ultimately triumph and continue through His body, the Church, until His glorious return ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.

Ephesians 5:16

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

John 4:34

Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

Ecclesiastes 9:10

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do [it] with thy might; for [there is] no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

John 11:9

Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.

John 11:10

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

Galatians 6:10

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all [men], especially unto them who are of the household of faith.