John 12:36
What does John 12:36 mean?
A plain-English look at John 12:36 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 12:36 means
To believe in the light is to entrust oneself to Jesus and receive a new identity as sons of light—people characterized by God’s illumination rather than darkness. This is not merely intellectual assent but a transformative trust. After saying this, Jesus departs and hides Himself, introducing a solemn note: the day of open opportunity is waning. His withdrawal serves both as protection and as a sign of judicial consequence for persistent unbelief. The gracious invitation stands, but it will not be endlessly extended in the same way. The moment calls for decision before the light is withdrawn.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000While ye have the light, believe on the light, that ye may become sons of light. These things spake Jesus, and he departed and hid himself from them.
KJV
King James Version · 1611While 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901While ye have the light, believe on the light, that ye may become sons of light. These things spake Jesus, and he departed and hid himself from them.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949In so far as you have the light, put your faith in the light so that you may become sons of light. With these words Jesus went away and for a time was not seen again by them.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862while ye have the light, believe in the light, that sons of light ye may become.' These things spake Jesus, and having gone away, he was hid from them,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Whilst you have the light, believe in the light, that you may be the children of light. These things Jesus spoke: and he went away and hid himself from them.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890While ye have the light, believe in the light, that ye may become sons of light. Jesus said these things, and going away hid himself from them.
Context
Jesus completes His appeal to walk and believe in the light. Immediately, He withdraws from public view. John then comments that despite many signs, the people did not believe, fulfilling Isaiah’s words. The next verses will quote Isaiah about unbelief and divine hardening, then assert that Isaiah spoke these things because he saw Jesus’ glory. A note about rulers who believed secretly but feared confession will precede Jesus’ final public summary of His mission and authority.
v.35Jesus therefore said unto them, Yet a little while is the light among you. Walk while ye have the light, that darkness overtake you not: and he that walketh in the darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
v.36This passage
v.37But though he had done so many signs before them, yet they believed not on him:
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 60:1
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of Jehovah is risen upon thee.
- John 8:59
They took up stones therefore to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple.
- Matthew 21:17
And he left them, and went forth out of the city to Bethany, and lodged there.
- Acts 13:47
For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee for a light of the Gentiles, That thou shouldest be for salvation unto the uttermost part of the earth.
- 1 John 2:9
He that saith he is in the light and hateth his brother, is in the darkness even until now.
- John 10:39
They sought again to take him: and he went forth out of their hand.
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