John 8:12

Authorized King James Version

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Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Original Language Analysis

Πάλιν again G3825
Πάλιν again
Strong's: G3825
Word #: 1 of 28
(adverbially) anew, i.e., (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand
οὖν Then G3767
οὖν Then
Strong's: G3767
Word #: 2 of 28
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 3 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς Jesus G2424
Ἰησοῦς Jesus
Strong's: G2424
Word #: 4 of 28
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
αὐτοῖς unto them G846
αὐτοῖς unto them
Strong's: G846
Word #: 5 of 28
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐλάλησεν spake G2980
ἐλάλησεν spake
Strong's: G2980
Word #: 6 of 28
to talk, i.e., utter words
λέγων, saying G3004
λέγων, saying
Strong's: G3004
Word #: 7 of 28
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Ἐγώ I G1473
Ἐγώ I
Strong's: G1473
Word #: 8 of 28
i, me
εἰμι am G1510
εἰμι am
Strong's: G1510
Word #: 9 of 28
i exist (used only when emphatic)
τὸ G3588
τὸ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 10 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
φῶς the light G5457
φῶς the light
Strong's: G5457
Word #: 11 of 28
luminousness (in the widest application, natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative)
τοῦ G3588
τοῦ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 12 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κόσμου· of the world G2889
κόσμου· of the world
Strong's: G2889
Word #: 13 of 28
orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 14 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀκολουθῶν he that followeth G190
ἀκολουθῶν he that followeth
Strong's: G190
Word #: 15 of 28
properly, to be in the same way with, i.e., to accompany (specially, as a disciple)
ἐμοὶ me G1698
ἐμοὶ me
Strong's: G1698
Word #: 16 of 28
to me
οὐ G3756
οὐ
Strong's: G3756
Word #: 17 of 28
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
μὴ G3361
μὴ
Strong's: G3361
Word #: 18 of 28
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
περιπατήσει shall G4043
περιπατήσει shall
Strong's: G4043
Word #: 19 of 28
to tread all around, i.e., walk at large (especially as proof of ability); figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow (as a companion or votary)
ἐν in G1722
ἐν in
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 20 of 28
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
τῇ G3588
τῇ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 21 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σκοτίᾳ darkness G4653
σκοτίᾳ darkness
Strong's: G4653
Word #: 22 of 28
dimness, obscurity (literally or figuratively)
ἀλλ' but G235
ἀλλ' but
Strong's: G235
Word #: 23 of 28
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ἕξει shall have G2192
ἕξει shall have
Strong's: G2192
Word #: 24 of 28
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
τὸ G3588
τὸ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 25 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
φῶς the light G5457
φῶς the light
Strong's: G5457
Word #: 26 of 28
luminousness (in the widest application, natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative)
τῆς G3588
τῆς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 27 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ζωῆς of life G2222
ζωῆς of life
Strong's: G2222
Word #: 28 of 28
life (literally or figuratively)

Analysis & Commentary

Jesus declares 'I am the light of the world' (ego eimi to phos tou kosmou), the second major 'I am' statement in John's Gospel. The metaphor of light connotes revelation, guidance, life, and purity - contrasted with darkness representing ignorance, sin, and death. The universal scope 'of the world' (tou kosmou) indicates Christ's illumination extends to all humanity, not merely Israel. The promise 'he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness' connects discipleship (following) with enlightenment - knowing Christ transforms one's entire path. The phrase 'shall have the light of life' uses zoes (life), indicating this light is not merely intellectual illumination but life-giving power. Walking in darkness represents moral and spiritual blindness; following Christ provides both moral direction and the power to walk in it.

Historical Context

This declaration occurs during the Feast of Tabernacles, when the Temple court was illuminated by massive golden lampstands commemorating the pillar of fire that guided Israel through wilderness darkness. Jesus' claim to be the light of the world would be heard against this visual backdrop. In Jewish theology, light imagery was rich: creation begins with light (Genesis 1:3), God is described as light (Psalm 27:1), Messiah will be a light to nations (Isaiah 49:6). The Johannine prologue established that the Logos was 'the light of men' (1:4). Philo and rabbinic literature portrayed Torah as light. Jesus' claim supersedes both Temple symbolism and Torah - He Himself is the ultimate illumination. Early Christian baptism was called 'enlightenment,' reflecting this passage's influence.

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