King James Version
John 12:36 in the King James Version says “While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed,...” — study this verse from John chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.
“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 12:36 · KJV
The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
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.
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.
But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
KJV Study — Public Domain
“While”
G2193a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
“light”
G5457luminousness (in the widest application, natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative)
“ye have”
G2192to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
“believe”
G4100to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
“in”
G1519to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
“light”
G5457luminousness (in the widest application, natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative)
“the children”
G5207a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
“light”
G5457luminousness (in the widest application, natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative)
“ye may be”
G1096to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
“Jesus”
G2424jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
“and”
G2532and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
“and departed”
G565to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively
“from”
G575"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
“them”
G846the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
John 12:36 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to John 12:36 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge