Bible Strands
John 12:35
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 Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses the crowd that has just questioned him about the Son of Man being lifted up (v.34), during the final week before the crucifixion.
The words — ἔτι (eti, "yet/still") modifies μικρόν (mikron, "a little"), making the phrase not merely brief but imminently closing.
The thread — The "little while" formula recurs throughout John 16 (vv.16, 18, 21, 25, 33), each time marking the gap between Jesus' departure and return. Ephesians 5:8 picks up the walk-in-light imperative but without the urgency of a closing window.
Why it lands — It is a command to act within a defined time window, with the stated consequence of inaction: not knowing where you are going. The verse does not describe what faith feels like; it describes what happens when you delay.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- John 12:46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in Me should remain in darkness.
- John 16:16 In a little while you will see Me no more, and then after a little while you will see Me.”
- Ephesians 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,
- 1 John 1:6 If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
- 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.”
- John 11:10 But if anyone walks at night, he will stumble, because he has no light.”
- Jeremiah 13:16 Give glory to the LORD your God before He brings darkness, before your feet stumble on the dusky mountains. You wait for light, but He turns it into deep gloom and thick darkness.
- John 9:4 While it is daytime, we must do the works of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work.
- John 12:36 While 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.
- Isaiah 2:5 Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD.