John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

◄ John 8:12 ►

Parallel Verses

Cross References

Matthew 5:14
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

John 1:4
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

John 3:19
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

John 9:5
As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

John 12:35
Then Jesus said to them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness come on you: for he that walks in darkness knows not where he goes.

John 12:36
While you have light, believe in the light, that you may be the children of light. These things spoke Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.

John 12:46
I am come a light into the world, that whoever believes on me should not abide in darkness.

1 John 1:6
If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

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Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

8:12-16 Christ is the Light of the world. God is light, and Christ is the image of the invisible God. One sun enlightens the whole world; so does one Christ, and there needs no more. What a dark dungeon would the world be without the sun! So would it be without Jesus, by whom light came into the world. Those who follow Christ shall not walk in darkness. They shall not be left without the truths which are necessary to keep them from destroying error, and the directions in the way of duty, necessary to keep them from condemning sin.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

Joh 8:12-59. Further Discourses of Jesus—Attempt to Stone Him.

12. I am the light of the world—As the former references to water (Joh 4:13, 14; 7:37-39) and to bread (Joh 6:35) were occasioned by outward occurrences, so this one to light. In "the treasury" where it was spoken (see on [1804]Joh 8:20) stood two colossal golden lamp-stands, on which hung a multitude of lamps, lighted after the evening sacrifice (probably every evening during the feast of tabernacles), diffusing their brilliancy, it is said, over all the city. Around these the people danced with great rejoicing. Now, as amidst the festivities of the water from Siloam Jesus cried, saying, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink," so now amidst the blaze and the joyousness of this illumination, He proclaims, "I AM THE Light of the world"—plainly in the most absolute sense. For though He gives His disciples the same title, they are only "light in the Lord" (Eph 5:8); and though He calls the Baptist "the burning and shining light" (or "lamp" of his day, Joh 5:35), yet "he was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light: that was THE TRUE Light which, coming into the world, lighteth every man" (Joh 1:8, 9). Under this magnificent title Messiah was promised of old (Isa 42:6; Mal 4:2, &c.).

he that followeth me—as one does a light going before him, and as the Israelites did the pillar of bright cloud in the wilderness.

but shall have the light of life—the light, as of a new world, a newly awakened spiritual and eternal life.