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Selected Verse: John 8:12 - Strong Concordance
Verse |
Translation |
Text |
Joh 8:12 |
Strong Concordance |
Then [3767] spake [2980] Jesus [2424] again [3825] unto them [846], saying [3004], I [1473] am [1510] the light [5457] of the world [2889]: he that followeth [190] me [1698] shall [4043] not [3364] walk [4043] in [1722] darkness [4653], but [235] shall have [2192] the light [5457] of life [2222]. |
|
King James |
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. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
FURTHER DISCOURSES OF JESUS--ATTEMPT TO STONE HIM. (John 8:12-59)
I am the light of the world--As the former references to water (Joh 4:13-14; Joh 7:37-39) and to bread (Joh 6:35) were occasioned by outward occurrences, so this one to light. In "the treasury" where it was spoken (see on Joh 8:20) stood two colossal golden lamp-stands, on which hung a multitude of lamps, lighted after the evening sacrifice (probably every evening during the feast of tabernacles), diffusing their brilliancy, it is said, over all the city. Around these the people danced with great rejoicing. Now, as amidst the festivities of the water from Siloam Jesus cried, saying, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink," so now amidst the blaze and the joyousness of this illumination, He proclaims, "I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD"--plainly in the most absolute sense. For though He gives His disciples the same title, they are only "light in the Lord" (Eph 5:8); and though He calls the Baptist "the burning and shining light" (or "lamp" of his day, Joh 5:35), yet "he was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light: that was THE TRUE LIGHT which, coming into the world, lighteth every man" (Joh 1:8-9). Under this magnificent title Messiah was promised of old (Isa 42:6; Mal 4:2, &c.).
he that followeth me--as one does a light going before him, and as the Israelites did the pillar of bright cloud in the wilderness.
but shall have the light of life--the light, as of a new world, a newly awakened spiritual and eternal life. |
Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
I am the light of the world - See the notes at Joh 1:4, Joh 1:9. |
The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917] |
world
Greek, "kosmos", means "mankind".
(See Scofield) - (Mat 4:8). |
Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
The light of the world (τὸ φῶς τοῦ κόσμου)
Not λύχνος, a lamp, as John the Baptist (Joh 8:35). Light is another of John's characteristic terms and ideas, playing a most important part in his writings, as related to the manifestation of Jesus and His work upon men. He comes from God, who is light (Jo1 1:5). "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men" (Joh 1:4). The Word was among men as light before the incarnation (Joh 1:9; Joh 9:5), and light came with the incarnation (Joh 3:19-21; Joh 8:12; Joh 12:46). Christ is light through the illuminating energy of the Spirit (Joh 14:21, Joh 14:26; Joh 16:13; Jo1 2:20, Jo1 2:27), which is received through love (Joh 14:22, Joh 14:23). The object of Christ's work is to make men sons of light (Joh 12:36, Joh 12:46), and to endow them with the light of life (Joh 8:12).
In Joh 8:20, we are told that Jesus spake these words in the Treasury. This was in the Court of the Women, the most public part of the temple. Four golden candelabra stood there, each with four golden bowls, each one filled from a pitcher of oil by a youth of priestly descent. These were lighted on the first night of the Feast of Tabernacles. It is not unlikely that they may have suggested our Lord's figure, but the figure itself was familiar both from prophecy and from tradition. According to tradition, Light was one of the names of the Messiah. See Isa 9:1; Isa 42:6; Isa 49:6; Isa 60:1-3; Mal 4:2; Luk 2:32.
Walk in darkness (περιπετήσει ἐν τῇ σκοτία)
This phrase is peculiar to the Gospel and First Epistle.
Shall have (ἕξει)
Not only shall see it, but shall possess it. Hence Christ's disciples are the light of the world (Mat 5:14). Compare lights, or, properly, luminaries (φωστῆρες) a name, applied to believers in Phi 2:15. |
Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
He that followeth me shall in nowise walk in darkness - In ignorance, wickedness, misery: but shall have the light of life - He that closely, humbly, steadily follows me, shall have the Divine light continually shining upon him, diffusing over his soul knowledge, holiness, joy, till he is guided by it to life everlasting. |
Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
Then spake Jesus again unto them - Allowing the story about the woman taken in adultery to be authentic, and to stand here in its proper place, we may consider that our Lord, having begun to teach the people in the temple, was interrupted by the introduction of this woman by the scribes and Pharisees; and now, having dismissed them and the woman also, he resumes his discourse.
I am the light of the world - The fountain whence an intellectual light and spiritual understanding proceed: without me all is darkness, misery, and death. The Divine Being was, by the rabbins denominated, The light of the world. So in Bamidbar Rabba: "The Israelites said to God, O Lord of the universe, thou commandest us to light lamps to thee, yet thou art The Light of The World: and with thee the light dwelleth." Our Lord, therefore, assumes here a well known character of the Supreme Being; and with this we find the Jews were greatly offended.
Shall not walk in darkness - He shall be saved from ignorance, infidelity, and sin. If he follow me, become my disciple, and believe on my name, he shall have my Spirit to bear witness with his, that he is a child of God. He shall have the light of life - such a light as brings and supports life. The sun, the fountain of light, is also the fountain of life: by his vivifying influences, all things live - neither animal nor vegetative life could exist, were it not for his influence. Jesus, the Sun of righteousness, Mal 4:2, is the fountain of all spiritual and eternal Life. His light brings life with it, and they who walk in his light live in his life. This sentiment is beautifully expressed and illustrated in the following inimitable verse (all monosyllables except one word) of that second Spenser, Phineas Fletcher. Speaking of the conversion of a soul to God, he says: -
"New Light new Love, new Love new Life hath bred;
A Life that lives by Love, and loves by Light:
A Love to him, to whom all Loves are wed;
A Light, to whom the sun is darkest night:
Eye's Light, heart's Love, soul's only Life he is:
Life, soul, love, heart, Light, eye, and all are his:
He eye, Light, heart, Love, soul; He all my joy and bliss."
Purple Island, Can. I. v. 7.
Some suppose our Lord alludes to the custom of lighting lamps or torches, on the first day of the feast of tabernacles. But as these words seem to have been spoken the day after that last and great day of the feast, mentioned Joh 7:37, they may rather be considered as referring to the following custom: It has already been observed, that the Jews added a ninth day to this feast, which day they termed, The feast of joy for the law; and on that day they were accustomed to take all the sacred books out of the chest where they had been deposited, and put a lighted candle in their place, in allusion to Pro 6:23 : For the commandment is a Lamp (or Candle) and the law is life: or to Psa 119:105 : Thy word is a Lamp unto my feet, and a Light unto my path. If this custom existed in the time of our Lord, it is most likely that it is to it he here alludes; as it must have happened about the same time in which these words were spoken. See Buxtorf. Synagog. Jud. c. xxi.
As the Messiah was frequently spoken of by the prophets under the emblem of light, see Isa 60:1; Isa 49:6; Isa 9:2, the Pharisees must at once perceive that he intended to recommend himself to the people as the Messiah, when he said, I am the light of the world.
The rabbins think that the Messiah is intended in Gen 1:8, And God said, Let there be light, and there was light. "From this we may learn that the holy and blessed God saw the light of the Messiah and his works before the world was created; and reserved it for the Messiah, and his generation, under the throne of his glory. Satan said to the holy and blessed God, For whom dost thou reserve that light which is under the throne of thy glory? God answered: For him who shall subdue thee, and overwhelm thee with confusion. Satan rejoined, Lord of the universe, show that person to me! God said, Come and see him. When he saw him, he was greatly agitated, and fell upon his face, saying, Truly this is the Messiah, who shall cast me and idolaters into hell." Yalcut Rubeni, fol. 6. This is a very remarkable saying; and, as it might have existed in the time of our Lord, to it he might have alluded in the verse before us. The thing itself is true: the Messiah is the light of the world, and by him Satan's empire of idolatry is destroyed in the world, and the kingdom of light and life established. See several similar testimonies in Schoettgen. |
2 But unto you that fear [03373] my name [08034] shall the Sun [08121] of righteousness [06666] arise [02224] with healing [04832] in his wings [03671]; and ye shall go forth [03318], and grow up [06335] as calves [05695] of the stall [04770].
6 I the LORD [03068] have called [07121] thee in righteousness [06664], and will hold [02388] thine hand [03027], and will keep [05341] thee, and give [05414] thee for a covenant [01285] of the people [05971], for a light [0216] of the Gentiles [01471];
8 He was [2258] not [3756] that [1565] Light [5457], but [235] was sent to [2443] bear witness [3140] of [4012] that Light [5457].
9 That was [2258] the true [228] Light [5457], which [3739] lighteth [5461] every man [3956] [444] that cometh [2064] into [1519] the world [2889].
35 He [1565] was [2258] a burning [2545] and [2532] a shining [5316] light [3088]: and [1161] ye [5210] were willing [2309] for [4314] a season [5610] to rejoice [21] in [1722] his [846] light [5457].
8 For [1063] ye were [2258] sometimes [4218] darkness [4655], but [1161] now [3568] are ye light [5457] in [1722] the Lord [2962]: walk [4043] as [5613] children [5043] of light [5457]:
20 These [5023] words [4487] spake [2980] Jesus [2424] in [1722] the treasury [1049], as he taught [1321] in [1722] the temple [2411]: and [2532] no man [3762] laid hands [4084] on him [846]; for [3754] his [846] hour [5610] was [2064] not yet [3768] come [2064].
35 And [1161] Jesus [2424] said [2036] unto them [846], I [1473] am [1510] the bread [740] of life [2222]: he that cometh [2064] to [4314] me [3165] shall never [3364] hunger [3983]; and [2532] he that believeth [4100] on [1519] me [1691] shall [1372] never [3364] [4455] thirst [1372].
37 [1161] In [1722] the last [2078] day [2250], that great [3173] day of the feast [1859], Jesus [2424] stood [2476] and [2532] cried [2896], saying [3004], If [1437] any man [5100] thirst [1372], let him come [2064] unto [4314] me [3165], and [2532] drink [4095].
38 He that believeth [4100] on [1519] me [1691], as [2531] the scripture [1124] hath said [2036], out of [1537] his [846] belly [2836] shall flow [4482] rivers [4215] of living [2198] water [5204].
39 (But [1161] this [5124] spake he [2036] of [4012] the Spirit [4151], which [3739] they that believe [4100] on [1519] him [846] should [3195] receive [2983]: for [1063] the Holy [40] Ghost [4151] was [2258] not yet [3768] given; because [3754] that Jesus [2424] was [1392] not yet [3764] glorified [1392]
13 Jesus [2424] answered [611] and [2532] said [2036] unto her [846], Whosoever [3956] drinketh [4095] of [1537] this [5127] water [5204] shall thirst [1372] again [3825]:
14 But [1161] whosoever [3739] [302] drinketh [4095] of [1537] the water [5204] that [3739] I [1473] shall give [1325] him [846] shall [1372] never [1519] [165] [3364] thirst [1372]; but [235] the water [5204] that [3739] I shall give [1325] him [846] shall be [1096] in [1722] him [846] a well [4077] of water [5204] springing up [242] into [1519] everlasting [166] life [2222].
9 That was [2258] the true [228] Light [5457], which [3739] lighteth [5461] every man [3956] [444] that cometh [2064] into [1519] the world [2889].
4 In [1722] him [846] was [2258] life [2222]; and [2532] the life [2222] was [2258] the light [5457] of men [444].
8 Again [3825], the devil [1228] taketh [3880] him [846] up [3880] into [1519] an exceeding [3029] high [5308] mountain [3735], and [2532] sheweth [1166] him [846] all [3956] the kingdoms [932] of the world [2889], and [2532] the glory [1391] of them [846];
15 That [2443] ye may be [1096] blameless [273] and [2532] harmless [185], the sons [5043] of God [2316], without rebuke [298], in [1722] the midst [3319] of a crooked [4646] and [2532] perverse [1294] nation [1074], among [1722] whom [3739] ye shine [5316] as [5613] lights [5458] in [1722] the world [2889];
14 Ye [5210] are [2075] the light [5457] of the world [2889]. A city [4172] that is set [2749] on [1883] an hill [3735] cannot [3756] [1410] be hid [2928].
32 A light [5457] to [1519] lighten [602] the Gentiles [1484], and [2532] the glory [1391] of thy [4675] people [2992] Israel [2474].
2 But unto you that fear [03373] my name [08034] shall the Sun [08121] of righteousness [06666] arise [02224] with healing [04832] in his wings [03671]; and ye shall go forth [03318], and grow up [06335] as calves [05695] of the stall [04770].
1 Arise [06965], shine [0215]; for thy light [0216] is come [0935], and the glory [03519] of the LORD [03068] is risen [02224] upon thee.
2 For, behold, the darkness [02822] shall cover [03680] the earth [0776], and gross darkness [06205] the people [03816]: but the LORD [03068] shall arise [02224] upon thee, and his glory [03519] shall be seen [07200] upon thee.
3 And the Gentiles [01471] shall come [01980] to thy light [0216], and kings [04428] to the brightness [05051] of thy rising [02225].
6 And he said [0559], It is a light thing [07043] that thou shouldest be my servant [05650] to raise up [06965] the tribes [07626] of Jacob [03290], and to restore [07725] the preserved [05341] [05336] of Israel [03478]: I will also give [05414] thee for a light [0216] to the Gentiles [01471], that thou mayest be my salvation [03444] unto the end [07097] of the earth [0776].
6 I the LORD [03068] have called [07121] thee in righteousness [06664], and will hold [02388] thine hand [03027], and will keep [05341] thee, and give [05414] thee for a covenant [01285] of the people [05971], for a light [0216] of the Gentiles [01471];
1 Nevertheless the dimness [04155] shall not be such as was in her vexation [04164], when [06256] at the first [07223] he lightly afflicted [07043] the land [0776] of Zebulun [02074] and the land [0776] of Naphtali [05321], and afterward [0314] did more grievously afflict [03513] her by the way [01870] of the sea [03220], beyond [05676] Jordan [03383], in Galilee [01551] of the nations [01471].
20 These [5023] words [4487] spake [2980] Jesus [2424] in [1722] the treasury [1049], as he taught [1321] in [1722] the temple [2411]: and [2532] no man [3762] laid hands [4084] on him [846]; for [3754] his [846] hour [5610] was [2064] not yet [3768] come [2064].
12 Then [3767] spake [2980] Jesus [2424] again [3825] unto them [846], saying [3004], I [1473] am [1510] the light [5457] of the world [2889]: he that followeth [190] me [1698] shall [4043] not [3364] walk [4043] in [1722] darkness [4653], but [235] shall have [2192] the light [5457] of life [2222].
46 I [1473] am come [2064] a light [5457] into [1519] the world [2889], that [3363] whosoever [3956] believeth [4100] on [1519] me [1691] should [3306] not [3363] abide [3306] in [1722] darkness [4653].
36 While [2193] ye have [2192] light [5457], believe [4100] in [1519] the light [5457], that [2443] ye may be [1096] the children [5207] of light [5457]. These things [5023] spake [2980] Jesus [2424], and departed [565], and [2532] did hide himself [2928] from [575] them [846].
23 Jesus [2424] answered [611] and [2532] said [2036] unto him [846], If [1437] a man [5100] love [25] me [3165], he will keep [5083] my [3450] words [3056]: and [2532] my [3450] Father [3962] will love [25] him [846], and [2532] we will come [2064] unto [4314] him [846], and [2532] make [4160] our abode [3438] with [3844] him [846].
22 Judas [2455] saith [3004] unto him [846], not [3756] Iscariot [2469], Lord [2962], how [5101] is it [1096] that [3754] thou wilt [3195] manifest [1718] thyself [4572] unto us [2254], and [2532] not [3780] unto the world [2889]?
27 But [2532] the anointing [5545] which [3739] ye [5210] have received [2983] of [575] him [846] abideth [3306] in [1722] you [5213], and [2532] ye need [5532] [2192] not [3756] that [2443] any man [5100] teach [1321] you [5209]: but [235] as [5613] the same [846] anointing [5545] teacheth [1321] you [5209] of [4012] all things [3956], and [2532] is [2076] truth [227], and [2532] is [2076] no [3756] lie [5579], and [2532] even as [2531] it hath taught [1321] you [5209], ye shall abide [3306] in [1722] him [846].
20 But [2532] ye [5210] have [2192] an unction [5545] from [575] the Holy One [40], and [2532] ye know [1492] all things [3956].
13 Howbeit [1161] when [3752] he [1565], the Spirit [4151] of truth [225], is come [2064], he will guide [3594] you [5209] into [1519] all [3956] truth [225]: for [1063] he shall [2980] not [3756] speak [2980] of [575] himself [1438]; but [235] whatsoever [3745] [302] he shall hear [191], that shall he speak [2980]: and [2532] he will shew [312] you [5213] things to come [2064].
26 But [1161] the Comforter [3875], which is the Holy [40] Ghost [4151], whom [3739] the Father [3962] will send [3992] in [1722] my [3450] name [3686], he [1565] shall teach [1321] you [5209] all things [3956], and [2532] bring [5279] all things [3956] to [5279] your [5209] remembrance [5279], whatsoever [3739] I have said [2036] unto you [5213].
21 He that hath [2192] my [3450] commandments [1785], and [2532] keepeth [5083] them [846], he [1565] it is [2076] that loveth [25] me [3165]: and [1161] he that loveth [25] me [3165] shall be loved [25] of [5259] my [3450] Father [3962], and [2532] I [1473] will love [25] him [846], and [2532] will manifest [1718] myself [1683] to him [846].
46 I [1473] am come [2064] a light [5457] into [1519] the world [2889], that [3363] whosoever [3956] believeth [4100] on [1519] me [1691] should [3306] not [3363] abide [3306] in [1722] darkness [4653].
12 Then [3767] spake [2980] Jesus [2424] again [3825] unto them [846], saying [3004], I [1473] am [1510] the light [5457] of the world [2889]: he that followeth [190] me [1698] shall [4043] not [3364] walk [4043] in [1722] darkness [4653], but [235] shall have [2192] the light [5457] of life [2222].
19 And [1161] this [3778] is [2076] the condemnation [2920], that [3754] light [5457] is come [2064] into [1519] the world [2889], and [2532] men [444] loved [25] darkness [4655] rather [3123] than [2228] light [5457], because [1063] their [846] deeds [2041] were [2258] evil [4190].
20 For [1063] every one [3956] that doeth [4238] evil [5337] hateth [3404] the light [5457], neither [2532] [3756] cometh [2064] to [4314] the light [5457], lest [3363] his [846] deeds [2041] should be reproved [1651].
21 But [1161] he that doeth [4160] truth [225] cometh [2064] to [4314] the light [5457], that [2443] his [846] deeds [2041] may be made manifest [5319], that [3754] they are [2076] wrought [2038] in [1722] God [2316].
5 As long as [3752] I am [5600] in [1722] the world [2889], I am [1510] the light [5457] of the world [2889].
9 That was [2258] the true [228] Light [5457], which [3739] lighteth [5461] every man [3956] [444] that cometh [2064] into [1519] the world [2889].
4 In [1722] him [846] was [2258] life [2222]; and [2532] the life [2222] was [2258] the light [5457] of men [444].
5 This [3778] then [2532] is [2076] the message [1860] which [3739] we have heard [191] of [575] him [846], and [2532] declare [312] unto you [5213], that [3754] God [2316] is [2076] light [5457], and [2532] in [1722] him [846] is [2076] no [3756] darkness [4653] at all [3762].
35 And [1161] the servant [1401] abideth [3306] not [3756] in [1722] the house [3614] for [1519] ever [165]: but the Son [5207] abideth [3306] [1519] ever [165].
8 And God [0430] called [07121] the firmament [07549] Heaven [08064]. And the evening [06153] and the morning [01242] were the second [08145] day [03117].
2 The people [05971] that walked [01980] in darkness [02822] have seen [07200] a great [01419] light [0216]: they that dwell [03427] in the land [0776] of the shadow of death [06757], upon them hath the light [0216] shined [05050].
6 And he said [0559], It is a light thing [07043] that thou shouldest be my servant [05650] to raise up [06965] the tribes [07626] of Jacob [03290], and to restore [07725] the preserved [05341] [05336] of Israel [03478]: I will also give [05414] thee for a light [0216] to the Gentiles [01471], that thou mayest be my salvation [03444] unto the end [07097] of the earth [0776].
1 Arise [06965], shine [0215]; for thy light [0216] is come [0935], and the glory [03519] of the LORD [03068] is risen [02224] upon thee.
105 NUN. Thy word [01697] is a lamp [05216] unto my feet [07272], and a light [0216] unto my path [05410].
23 For the commandment [04687] is a lamp [05216]; and the law [08451] is light [0216]; and reproofs [08433] of instruction [04148] are the way [01870] of life [02416]:
37 [1161] In [1722] the last [2078] day [2250], that great [3173] day of the feast [1859], Jesus [2424] stood [2476] and [2532] cried [2896], saying [3004], If [1437] any man [5100] thirst [1372], let him come [2064] unto [4314] me [3165], and [2532] drink [4095].
2 But unto you that fear [03373] my name [08034] shall the Sun [08121] of righteousness [06666] arise [02224] with healing [04832] in his wings [03671]; and ye shall go forth [03318], and grow up [06335] as calves [05695] of the stall [04770].