Show Bible Commentary For A Bible Verse

Click here to show/hide instructions.

Selected Verse: 1 John 2:11 - King James

Verse	Translation	Text
1Jo 2:11	King James	But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

Open All | Close All Open All | Close All

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
is in darkness . . . walketh--"is" marks his continuing STATE: he has never come out of "the darkness" (so Greek); "walketh" marks his OUTWARD WALK and acts. whither--Greek, "where"; including not only the destination to which, but the way whereby. hath blinded--rather, as Greek aorist, "blinded" of old. Darkness not only surrounds, but blinds him, and that a blindness of long standing.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

is in darkness . . . walketh--"is" marks his continuing STATE: he has never come out of "the darkness" (so Greek); "walketh" marks his OUTWARD WALK and acts.

whither--Greek, "where"; including not only the destination to which, but the way whereby.

hath blinded--rather, as Greek aorist, "blinded" of old. Darkness not only surrounds, but blinds him, and that a blindness of long standing.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
But he that hateth his brother - The word here used would, in this connection, include both the mere absence of love, and positive hatred. It is designed to include the whole of that state of mind where there is not love for the brethren. Is in darkness - Jo1 2:9. And walketh in darkness - He is like one who walks in the dark, and who sees no object distinctly. See the notes at Joh 12:35. And knoweth not whither he goeth - Like one in the dark. He wanders about not knowing what direction he shall take, or where the course which he is on will lead. The general meaning is, that he is ignorant of the whole nature of religion; or, in other words, love to the brethren is a central virtue in religion, and when a man has not that, his mind is entirely clouded on the whole subject, and he shows that he knows nothing of its nature. There is no virtue that is designed to be made more prominent in Christianity; and there is none that will throw its influence farther over a man's life.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

But he that hateth his brother - The word here used would, in this connection, include both the mere absence of love, and positive hatred. It is designed to include the whole of that state of mind where there is not love for the brethren.

Is in darkness - Jo1 2:9.

And walketh in darkness - He is like one who walks in the dark, and who sees no object distinctly. See the notes at Joh 12:35.

And knoweth not whither he goeth - Like one in the dark. He wanders about not knowing what direction he shall take, or where the course which he is on will lead. The general meaning is, that he is ignorant of the whole nature of religion; or, in other words, love to the brethren is a central virtue in religion, and when a man has not that, his mind is entirely clouded on the whole subject, and he shows that he knows nothing of its nature. There is no virtue that is designed to be made more prominent in Christianity; and there is none that will throw its influence farther over a man's life.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Is - walketh - whither The condition of him who hates is viewed as related to being, action, and tendency. He goeth (ὑπάγει) Or, is going. See on Joh 6:21; see on Joh 8:21. Hath blinded (ἐτύφλωσεν) For the image see Isa 6:10. See on closed, Mat 13:15. Compare Joh 1:5, and see note on κατέλαβεν, overtook; Joh 11:35, Joh 11:40. The aorist tense, blinded, indicates a past, definite, decisive act. When the darkness overtook, it blinded. The blindness is no new state into which he has come.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]

Is - walketh - whither

The condition of him who hates is viewed as related to being, action, and tendency.

He goeth (ὑπάγει)

Or, is going. See on Joh 6:21; see on Joh 8:21.

Hath blinded (ἐτύφλωσεν)

For the image see Isa 6:10. See on closed, Mat 13:15. Compare Joh 1:5, and see note on κατέλαβεν, overtook; Joh 11:35, Joh 11:40. The aorist tense, blinded, indicates a past, definite, decisive act. When the darkness overtook, it blinded. The blindness is no new state into which he has come.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
He that hateth his brother - And he must hate, if he does not love him: there is no medium. Is in darkness - In sin, perplexity, entanglement. He walketh in darkness, and knoweth not that he is in the high road to hell.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]

He that hateth his brother - And he must hate, if he does not love him: there is no medium. Is in darkness - In sin, perplexity, entanglement. He walketh in darkness, and knoweth not that he is in the high road to hell.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
But he that hateth his brother is in darkness - He is still in his heathen or unconverted state; and walketh in darkness, his conduct being a proof of that state; and knoweth not whither he goeth - having no proper knowledge of God or eternal things; and cannot tell whether he is going to heaven or hell, because that darkness has blinded his eyes - darkened his whole soul, mind, and heart.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

But he that hateth his brother is in darkness - He is still in his heathen or unconverted state; and walketh in darkness, his conduct being a proof of that state; and knoweth not whither he goeth - having no proper knowledge of God or eternal things; and cannot tell whether he is going to heaven or hell, because that darkness has blinded his eyes - darkened his whole soul, mind, and heart.

Top