John 12:35
New International Version
Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going.

New Living Translation
Jesus replied, “My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going.

English Standard Version
So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore Jesus said to them, "Yet a little while, the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, so that darkness might not overtake you. And the one walking in the darkness does not know where he is going.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going.

New American Standard Bible
So Jesus said to them, “For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; also, the one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.

NASB 1995
So Jesus said to them, “For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes.

NASB 1977
Jesus therefore said to them, “For a little while longer the light is among you. Walk while you have the light, that darkness may not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes.

Legacy Standard Bible
So Jesus said to them, “For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes.

Amplified Bible
So Jesus said to them, “The Light is among you [only] a little while longer. Walk while you have the Light [keep on living by it], so that darkness will not overtake you. He who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going [he is drifting aimlessly].

Christian Standard Bible
Jesus answered, “The light will be with you only a little longer. Walk while you have the light so that darkness doesn’t overtake you. The one who walks in darkness doesn’t know where he’s going.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Jesus answered, “The light will be with you only a little longer. Walk while you have the light so that darkness doesn’t overtake you. The one who walks in darkness doesn’t know where he’s going.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
Jesus answered, "The light will be with you for only a little longer. Walk in the light while you can. Then you won't be caught walking blindly in the dark.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Jesus answered the crowd, "The light will still be with you for a little while. Walk while you have light so that darkness won't defeat you. Those who walk in the dark don't know where they're going.

Good News Translation
Jesus answered, "The light will be among you a little longer. Continue on your way while you have the light, so that the darkness will not come upon you; for the one who walks in the dark does not know where he is going.

International Standard Version
Jesus replied to the crowd, "The light is among you only for a short time. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. The person who walks in the darkness is in the darkness and does not know where he is going.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
Jesus replied, "The light is with you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.

New Heart English Bible
Jesus therefore said to them, "Yet a little while the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, that darkness does not overtake you. He who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then Jesus said to 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.

Weymouth New Testament
"Yet a little while," He replied, "the light is among you. Be faithful to the light that you have, for fear darkness should overtake you; for a man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going.

World English Bible
Jesus therefore said to them, “Yet a little while the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, that darkness doesn’t overtake you. He who walks in the darkness doesn’t know where he is going.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Therefore Jesus said to them, “Yet a short time is the light with you; walk while you have the light, that darkness may not overtake you; and he who is walking in the darkness has not known where he goes;

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore Jesus said to them, "Yet a little while, the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, so that darkness might not overtake you. And the one walking in the darkness does not know where he is going.

Young's Literal Translation
Jesus, therefore, said to them, 'Yet a little time is the light with you; walk while ye have the light, that darkness may not overtake you; and he who is walking in the darkness hath not known where he goeth;

Smith's Literal Translation
Then said Jesus to them, Yet a little time the light is with you. Walk while ye have light, lest darkness overtake you: and he walking in darkness knows not where he retires.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Jesus therefore said to them: Yet a little while, the light is among you. Walk whilst you have the light, that the darkness overtake you not. And he that walketh in darkness, knoweth not whither he goeth.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, Jesus said to them: “For a brief time, the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. But whoever walks in darkness does not know where is he going.

New American Bible
Jesus said to them, “The light will be among you only a little while. Walk while you have the light, so that darkness may not overcome you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where he is going.

New Revised Standard Version
Jesus said to them, “The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Jesus said to them, The light is with you for a little while; walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overcome you; and he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Yeshua said to them, “The Light is with you a little time longer. Walk while The Light is with you, lest the darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in darkness does not know where he is going.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Then Jesus said to them: Yet a little while is the light with you: walk while you have the light, lest the darkness overtake you. For he that walks in the darkness knows not whither he goes.

Godbey New Testament
Then Jesus said to them, Yet a little while the light is with you. Walk about as you have the light, in order that the darkness may not overtake you: and he that walketh about in darkness does not know where he is going.

Haweis New Testament
Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest the darkness overtake you: he that walketh in darkness, knoweth not even whither he is going.

Mace New Testament
Jesus answer'd them, yet a little while is the light with you: walk while ye have the light, lest darkness surprize you: for he that walketh in darkness, does not know whither he goes.

Weymouth New Testament
"Yet a little while," He replied, "the light is among you. Be faithful to the light that you have, for fear darkness should overtake you; for a man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going.

Worrell New Testament
Jesus, therefore, said to them, "Yet a little while is the Light among you. Walk while ye have the Light, lest darkness overtake you; and he that walks in the darkness knows not where he is going.

Worsley New Testament
Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while the light is to be with you; walk while ye have the light, least darkness overtake you; for he that walketh in the dark knoweth not whither he goeth.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus Predicts His Death
34The crowd replied, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ will remain forever. So how can You say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35Then 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. 36While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of light.” After Jesus had spoken these things, He went away and was hidden from them.…

Cross References
John 8:12
Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”

1 John 1:5-7
And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. / If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. / But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Ephesians 5:8
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,

Isaiah 9:2
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.

1 Thessalonians 5:5
For you are all sons of the light and sons of the day; we do not belong to the night or to the darkness.

Matthew 5:14-16
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. / Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. / In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 60:1-3
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. / For behold, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you, and His glory will appear over you. / Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Luke 11:34-36
Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body is full of darkness. / Be careful, then, that the light within you is not darkness. / So if your whole body is full of light, with no part of it in darkness, you will be radiant, as though a lamp were shining on you.”

Colossians 1:13
He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son,

Isaiah 42:6-7
“I, the LORD, have called you for a righteous purpose, and I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and appoint you to be a covenant for the people and a light to the nations, / to open the eyes of the blind, to bring prisoners out of the dungeon and those sitting in darkness out from the prison house.

Proverbs 4:18-19
The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday. / But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble.

Romans 13:12
The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near. So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.


Treasury of Scripture

Then Jesus said to them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness come on you: for he that walks in darkness knows not where he goes.

Yet.

John 7:33
Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me.

John 9:4
I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

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.

Walk.

John 12:36,46
While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them…

John 1:5-9
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not…

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.

lest.

John 12:39,40
Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, …

Psalm 69:22-28
Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap…

Jeremiah 13:16,17
Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness…

for.

John 11:10
But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.

Proverbs 4:19
The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

1 John 2:8-11
Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth…

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John 12
1. Jesus excuses Mary anointing his feet.
9. The people flock to see Lazarus.
10. The chief priests consult to kill him.
12. Jesus rides into Jerusalem.
20. Greeks desire to see Jesus.
23. He foretells his death.
37. The people are generally blinded;
42. yet many chief rulers believe, but do not confess him;
44. therefore Jesus calls earnestly for confession of faith.














Then Jesus told them
This phrase indicates a direct communication from Jesus, emphasizing His role as a teacher and guide. The Greek word for "told" (λέγει, legei) suggests a continuous action, implying that Jesus is persistently instructing His followers. This reflects the urgency and importance of His message, as He prepares His disciples for His impending departure.

The light will be with you a little while longer
"Light" (φῶς, phōs) in the Greek context often symbolizes truth, purity, and divine revelation. Jesus, as the "light of the world" (John 8:12), embodies these qualities. The phrase "a little while longer" underscores the limited time the disciples have to learn directly from Jesus before His crucifixion. Historically, this period is crucial as it marks the transition from Jesus' earthly ministry to the establishment of the Church.

Walk while you have the light
"Walk" (περιπατεῖτε, peripateite) in the Greek implies living or conducting one's life. It is an exhortation to live in accordance with the teachings and example of Jesus. The phrase suggests an active, ongoing engagement with the truth, urging believers to seize the opportunity to grow in faith and understanding while Jesus is present.

so that darkness will not overtake you
"Darkness" (σκότος, skotos) represents ignorance, evil, and separation from God. The warning that darkness can "overtake" (καταλάβῃ, katalabē) implies a forceful and sudden capture, highlighting the dangers of spiritual complacency. Historically, this reflects the challenges the early Church faced in maintaining the purity of the Gospel amidst persecution and false teachings.

The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going
This phrase contrasts the clarity and direction provided by the light with the confusion and aimlessness of living in darkness. The Greek word for "know" (οἶδεν, oiden) suggests an intimate understanding, which is absent in those who reject the light. Scripturally, this serves as a warning against spiritual blindness and the importance of remaining in the truth to avoid losing one's way.

(35) Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you.--It is better, as we have often seen, to read Therefore for "Then." The word connects what follows closely with what has gone before. It was because of their question that Jesus said this. And yet it is not said that "He answered them," because what He said was not a direct answer. They are asking questions in which we may trace the spirit, if not the very words, of the formal, literal objectors who had, with like technicalities, stifled the truth whenever it was springing up in their minds. Such questions cannot be really answered, because they are not really questions. And now the day has gone, and the night is at hand. The old thought comes back to Him (John 9:4; John 11:9). The last rays of light are shining. It is but a little while, and He warns them with all the solemnity of this thought.

Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you.--The better reading is, Walk according as ye have the light--i.e., "Walk as men who are conscious that the light is among them, use your opportunities; do not ask questions to raise objections, but ask them in order that you may know the truth." The man who thus used the light would by no means walk in darkness, but would have the light of life (John 8:12). For him that neglected to use the means and faculty he had, both would cease to exist. (Comp. Note on Romans 1:21.)

The words "come upon," or "overtake," is used of some sudden seizure. There are two parallels in Biblical Greek, "But ye, brethren, are not in darkness that the day should overtake you as a thief" (1Thessalonians 5:4), and "Be sure your sin will find you out" (Numbers 32:23). . . .

Verse 35. - Christ's reply is introduced with a simple εϊπεν. Jesus therefore said to them, not in answer to their question, but by taking up a title of dignity that he had claimed before, he evidently assumes to be the Light of the world (John 8:12), and now the time is almost over when they could see its luster or discern other things, either themselves, or their sins, or this world, or the next world, by that Light. The time for further instruction, or remonstrance, or declarations is at an end. The evangelist sums up, in vers. 44-50, the general substance of our Lord's teaching with reference to himself and his disciples and the world which would not believe; and thus, then, in a wonderful way, justifies, as it were, the non-answer to the captious question, "Who is this Son of man?" Yet a little while is the Light amongst you. The "little while" of our Lord's day of ministry was often upon his lips (John 7:33; John 13:33; John 14:19; John 16:16). Verily to his consciousness it must have been but as the twinkling of an eye, and now it was a very little while even for his hearers. Based on this solemn fact, he makes a last public appeal to individuals, propounding gracious invitation, Divine promise, solemn warning; and so he terminated his public ministry, and vanished from before them. As far as the memory of his living words and deeds might influence them, the Light, though not among them, might still shine, and the glory of Pentecost would renew the appeal. Walk as ye have the Light; make progress in the understanding of self, of duty, of time, of eternity, and act accordingly. The ὡς is the reading preferred to the ἕως of the T.R. in this and the following verse by Tischendorf, Meyer, Westport and Hort, and the Revisers' text. Meyer here differs from Godet and others who, accepting the reading ὡς, give it, in virtue of certain passages in the classics, the sense of quamdiu, and justly maintains the sense "as," "in the measure that." According to the light that you see, walk, lest (ἵνα μὴ, "in order that not") darkness overtake you: and he that walketh in the darkness knoweth not whither he goeth; lest the possibility of seeing the Divine revelation in me be taken from you, and lest there be taken away from you that which you seem to have (cf. Jeremiah 13:16). Then, in harmony with the great sayings of John 9:4, 5 and John 11:9, "In the night no man can work;" "In the night, when men cannot see the light of this world, they stumble over unseen perils and pitfalls;" so here, he says, in the darkness that will come upon men from making no use of the Light of the world, "they will not know whither they are going," they will find no work, have no perception of imminent danger, but, driven on and on by measureless force, they will drift over the fathomless unknown into infinite and endless suspense. When the Light of the world is spurned, and a godless evolution made to supply its place, humanity and the world have no goal set before them; there is no end at which they aim - no mind or will to guide the progress of mankind.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Then
οὖν (oun)
Conjunction
Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.

Jesus
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

told
Εἶπεν (Eipen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

them,
αὐτοῖς (autois)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

“[For]
Ἔτι (Eti)
Adverb
Strong's 2089: (a) of time: still, yet, even now, (b) of degree: even, further, more, in addition. Perhaps akin to etos; 'yet, ' still.

a little
μικρὸν (mikron)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3398: Little, small. Including the comparative mikroteros apparently a primary word; small (figuratively) dignity).

while longer,
χρόνον (chronon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5550: A space of time or interval; by extension, an individual opportunity; by implication, delay.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Light
φῶς (phōs)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5457: Light, a source of light, radiance. From an obsolete phao; luminousness.

will be
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

among
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

you.
ὑμῖν (hymin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

Walk
περιπατεῖτε (peripateite)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4043: From peri and pateo; to tread all around, i.e. Walk at large; figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow.

while
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

you have
ἔχετε (echete)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Light,
φῶς (phōs)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5457: Light, a source of light, radiance. From an obsolete phao; luminousness.

so that
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

darkness
σκοτία (skotia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4653: Darkness; fig: spiritual darkness. From skotos; dimness, obscurity.

will not overtake
καταλάβῃ (katalabē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2638: From kata and lambano; to take eagerly, i.e. Seize, possess, etc.

you.
ὑμᾶς (hymas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

The [one who]
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

walks
περιπατῶν (peripatōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4043: From peri and pateo; to tread all around, i.e. Walk at large; figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

the
τῇ (tē)
Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

darkness
σκοτίᾳ (skotia)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4653: Darkness; fig: spiritual darkness. From skotos; dimness, obscurity.

{does} not
οὐκ (ouk)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

know
οἶδεν (oiden)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate.

where
ποῦ (pou)
Adverb
Strong's 4226: Genitive case of an interrogative pronoun pos otherwise obsolete; as adverb of place; at what locality.

he is going.
ὑπάγει (hypagei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5217: To go away, depart, begone, die. From hupo and ago; to lead under, i.e. Withdraw or retire, literally or figuratively.


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