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John 12:36

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 12:36 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “While 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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

While 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.
John 12:36 — American Standard Version

Context — John 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
33But this he said, signifying by what manner of death he should die.
34The multitude therefore answered him, We have heard out of the law that the Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
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.
36While 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.
37But though he had done so many signs before them, yet they believed not on him:
38that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? And to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
39For this cause they could not believe, for that Isaiah said again,
← John 12:35John 12:37 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“While ye have light, believe in the light, etc.] Receive the Messiah, and credit the Gospel revelation; this is an explanation of the exhortation in the preceding verse: that ye may be the children of the light; that is, that they might appear to be such who are enlightened persons; and such are truly so, who are made light in the Lord, or who are enlightened by the Spirit of God to see their own sinfulness, impotency, and unrighteousness, and their need of Christ, and his righteousness and strength, and of salvation by him; and who are made meet, by the grace of God, to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; and which is made manifest by believing in Christ, and walking on…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them--He who spake as never man spake, and immediately after words fraught with unspeakable dignity and love, had to "hide Himself" from His auditors! What then must they have been? He retired, probably to Bethany. (The parallels are: Mat 21:17; Luk 21:37).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“While ye have light - This implied two things: 1.That he was the light, or was the Messiah. 2.That he was soon to be taken away by death. In this manner he answered their question - not directly, but in a way to convey the truth to their minds, and at the same time to administer to them a useful admonition. Jesus never aroused the prejudices of men unnecessarily, yet he never shrank from declaring to them the truth in some way, however unpalatable it might be. Believe in the light - That is, in the Messiah, who is the light of the world. That ye may be the children ... - That ye may be the friends and followers of the Messiah. See the notes at Matthew 1:1. Compare John 8:12; Ephesians 5:8;…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The children of light - The children of God, wise, holy, happy. John 12:37”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“12:36 Jesus was the light (1:4, 7-9; 3:19-21; 8:12), and he urged the crowd to quickly make the choice to believe in him before it was too late. • They had the choice of becoming children of the light by rebirth through the power of God (1:12-13). • Jesus . . . was hidden from them: Jesus withdrew first from Judea (11:54) and then from this audience (12:36), and soon he would withdraw from the world (17:11).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“believe: Joh 1:7, Joh 3:21; Isa 60:1; Act 13:47, Act 13:48 the children: Luk 16:8; Eph 5:8; Th1 5:5, Th1 5:8; Jo1 2:9-11 and departed: Joh 8:59, Joh 10:39, Joh 10:40, Joh 11:54; Mat 21:17 John 12:37”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification