Devine Scripture

John 11:10

What does John 11:10 mean?

A plain-English look at John 11:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 11:10 means

Completing the image, Jesus says that walking at night leads to stumbling because the light is not in the person. This shifts from external daylight to an internal reality: those without light within will trip in darkness. The point is not simply about clock time but about spiritual orientation. Jesus, who is the light, walks in clear fellowship with the Father and thus does not stumble in His mission. Disciples are safe as they walk in that light. The verse urges heed to inward illumination over outward danger, explaining why returning to Judæa, though risky, is the right path now.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because the light is not in him.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because the light is not in him.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But if a man goes about in the night, he may have a fall because the light is not in him.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and if any one may walk in the night, he stumbleth, because the light is not in him.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But if he walk in the night, he stumbleth, because the light is not in him.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

but if any one walk in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.

Context

Verse 10 balances the proverb of verse 9, warning of the danger of moving without God’s light. The pairing explains Jesus’ confidence about the journey: He acts in the Father’s appointed day, with inward light. With that principle taught, Jesus turns the conversation to Lazarus’s condition, which is the immediate reason for going. The next verse announces Lazarus’s “sleep,” introducing another layer of misunderstanding that will lead to a plain declaration of his death and the purpose behind Jesus’ delay.

v.9Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If a man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.

v.10This passage

v.11These things spake he: and after this he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus is fallen asleep; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Proverbs 4:18

    But the path of the righteous is as the dawning light, That shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

  • 1 John 2:10

    He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is no occasion of stumbling in him.

  • Ecclesiastes 2:14

    The wise man’s eyes are in his head, and the fool walketh in darkness: and yet I perceived that one event happeneth to them all.

  • Jeremiah 13:16

    Give glory to Jehovah 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.

  • Jeremiah 20:11

    But Jehovah is with me as a mighty one and a terrible: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail; they shall be utterly put to shame, because they have not dealt wisely, even with an everlasting dishonor which shall never be forgotten.

  • Psalms 27:2

    When evil-doers came upon me to eat up my flesh, Even mine adversaries and my foes, they stumbled and fell.

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