John 11:9 kjv
Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.
John 11:9 nkjv
Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.
John 11:9 niv
Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world's light.
John 11:9 esv
Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.
John 11:9 nlt
Jesus replied, "There are twelve hours of daylight every day. During the day people can walk safely. They can see because they have the light of this world.
John 11 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jn 9:4 | I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. | Jesus' 'day' as period for divine work. |
| Jn 12:35-36 | Then Jesus said to them, "A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light..." | Importance of walking in the light before it's gone. |
| Jn 8:12 | Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness..." | Jesus as the ultimate spiritual light. |
| Jn 1:4-5 | In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness... | Jesus as source of life and light. |
| Psa 119:105 | Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. | God's word as a guide against stumbling. |
| Psa 27:1 | The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? | God as the source of security and light. |
| Prov 4:18-19 | But the path of the just is like the shining sun... The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble. | Contrast of walking in light (righteous) vs darkness (wicked). |
| Eph 5:8 | For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light... | Believers' call to live in the light of Christ. |
| 1 Jn 1:7 | But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another... | Walking in light brings fellowship and cleansing. |
| Isa 9:2 | The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light... | Prophetic foretelling of Jesus bringing light. |
| Isa 60:1-2 | Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth... | Divine light and glory for God's people. |
| 1 Thes 5:5 | You are all children of light and children of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. | Believers' identity as those belonging to the light. |
| Rom 13:12-13 | The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. | Urgency to walk in light, forsaking darkness. |
| 2 Pet 1:10 | Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble. | Divine enablement to prevent stumbling through diligence. |
| Jude 1:24 | Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy... | God's power to preserve from stumbling. |
| Psa 37:23-24 | The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord... Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him. | God's guidance and support against falling. |
| Prov 16:9 | A man's heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. | God's ultimate guidance in one's path. |
| Ecc 3:1 | To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven... | Divine timing for all actions. |
| Gal 4:4 | But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son... | God's perfect timing for major events. |
| Lk 13:32 | He said to them, "Go, tell that fox, 'Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.'" | Jesus' determination to fulfill His ministry within appointed time. |
John 11 verses
John 11 9 Meaning
John 11:9 conveys Jesus' principle of operating under divine appointment and protection. He asserts that just as one can walk safely in the natural daylight without stumbling because they see the physical sun (the "light of this world"), so too He, or any individual fulfilling God's will within God's appointed time, will not "stumble" (i.e., encounter ultimate failure or be harmed) because they are guided by God's spiritual light. This light, ultimately, is Himself and His Father's divine plan, providing clear direction and safeguarding against spiritual pitfalls.
John 11 9 Context
John chapter 11 opens with the news of Lazarus's illness in Bethany, a village near Jerusalem. Jesus, though informed, delays His journey, waiting two more days before announcing to His disciples His intention to return to Judea. The disciples, recalling recent attempts by Jewish leaders to stone Jesus in Judea (Jn 10:31, 39), express fear and caution. Thomas even implies a readiness to die with Him. In response to this apprehension and perceived danger, Jesus utters the rhetorical question of John 11:9, providing a divine perspective on timing, purpose, and protection. He implies that His actions are not governed by human fears or perceived threats, but by the Father's appointed schedule, which assures safety and success while walking within God's light and will. This sets the stage for the miraculous resurrection of Lazarus, which further highlights Jesus' power and divine authority.
John 11 9 Word analysis
- Jesus answered: (
apekrithē Iēsous) More than just a simple reply; it indicates a solemn, weighty pronouncement. Jesus' responses often elevate the discourse beyond the immediate human question to a profound spiritual truth, revealing His divine wisdom and understanding of the Father's plan. This points to His calm assurance amidst the disciples' fears. - Are there not twelve hours in the day?: (
ouchi dōdeka hōrai eisin tēs hēmeras;) A rhetorical question, assuming an obvious truth for the hearers. In Jewish reckoning, the day (from sunrise to sunset) was consistently divided into twelve hours, regardless of the seasonal length of daylight. This represented the divinely established time for human activity, labor, and safety. The question serves as an appeal to common experience and natural law to illustrate a spiritual principle. - If any man walk: (
ean tis peripatē) "Walk" (peripateō) is frequently used in the Bible as a metaphor for one's way of life, conduct, or spiritual journey. The "if any man" makes the statement universally applicable to anyone operating under the stated condition. It speaks to living purposefully. - in the day: (
en tē hēmera) Refers to the period of natural daylight, the time when one can see clearly and act safely. Spiritually, it signifies being aligned with God's ordained time and will for a task or one's life journey. For Jesus, His "day" was His specific period of earthly ministry to accomplish the Father's work before His crucifixion. For believers, it means operating within divine revelation and guidance. - he stumbleth not: (
ou proskoptei) To stumble, trip, or hit against an obstacle. The negation indicates security and progress without debilitating hindrances or failures. In a spiritual sense, it means one will not err from the path of righteousness, meet spiritual ruin, or fail to achieve God's purpose for them while acting under divine guidance. This isn't a promise against physical injury but against fundamental failure in fulfilling one's God-appointed purpose. - because he seeth: (
hoti... blepei) The direct reason given. "Seeth" (blepō) implies more than just having eyesight; it means to perceive clearly, understand, and discern. It links directly to having proper guidance and revelation. - the light of this world: (
to phōs tou kosmou toutou) Literally refers to the sun, the source of natural illumination that allows physical movement without stumbling. Metaphorically and implicitly, in the Gospel of John, "light" almost always points to Jesus Christ Himself (Jn 8:12, 9:5, 12:46), who is the true spiritual Light enabling clear discernment of God's will and purpose. Walking by His guidance prevents spiritual stumbling. This phrase connects the natural order with the spiritual reality that Jesus embodies. - "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day...": This group establishes the common, observable truth that day provides ample, fixed time for work and safe passage. The repetition of "in the day" subtly emphasizes alignment with a divinely ordered time, linking physical light to spiritual illumination and God's sovereign timing. It highlights that within God's allocated "day," there is a clear window of opportunity and safety.
- "...he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.": This phrase establishes the direct cause-and-effect. Not stumbling is a consequence of seeing the light. This highlights the indispensable role of clear guidance and spiritual illumination in navigating life's path safely. For Jesus, this means His unique mission on earth. For His followers, it means living in His truth and guidance. The phrase reinforces the theological principle that divine protection and purpose are assured when one is aligned with God's revealed will and the ultimate Light.
John 11 9 Bonus section
This verse emphasizes the divine timing of Jesus' actions. He implicitly states that He cannot be prematurely thwarted by human opposition or fear because His time (His 'day') has not yet ended. This concept appears repeatedly in John's Gospel (e.g., "His hour had not yet come" - Jn 2:4, 7:6, 7:30, 8:20). Here, Jesus shifts from 'His hour' not coming to asserting His continuous operation 'in the day' where stumbling is prevented. It also foreshadows His triumph over death itself through the resurrection of Lazarus, underscoring that His ministry, despite facing physical threats, operates under an invulnerable divine schedule until its ultimate fulfillment. This offers profound comfort: if we are in God's will, following His light, we are similarly preserved from spiritual stumble until His purpose for us is complete.
John 11 9 Commentary
John 11:9 encapsulates Jesus' profound theological understanding of His divine mission and God's protective providence. When His disciples, driven by natural fear, questioned the wisdom of returning to a dangerous Judea, Jesus redirected their focus from human peril to divine purpose. He used the simple, observable reality of a day—with its twelve hours of light allowing safe passage—as a potent analogy. Just as physical sunlight illuminates the path, preventing one from stumbling, so too Jesus Himself, as the "light of the world," provides divine illumination and protection for those who walk in His appointed will. His "day" was His time on earth to accomplish the Father's work; while this 'day' persisted, He would not stumble or be defeated. His life would not be cut short before His predestined hour. This verse reassures His followers then and now that when aligned with God's sovereign plan and operating within His timing, guided by His truth, spiritual security is paramount. It emphasizes the importance of discerning and acting according to God's purpose rather than being paralyzed by fear or temporal circumstances. It's a call to proactive faith, moving forward because one 'sees' the guiding light of Christ and His Father's will.