Charles Ellicott Commentary John 12:35

"Jesus 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." — John 12:35 (ASV)

Then Jesus said to them, Yet a little while is the light with you.—It is better, as we have often seen, to read Therefore for “Then.” The word connects what follows closely with what has gone before. It was because of their question that Jesus said this. And yet it is not said that “He answered them,” because what He said was not a direct answer.

They are asking questions in which we may trace the spirit, if not the very words, of the formal, literal objectors who had, with like technicalities, stifled the truth whenever it was springing up in their minds. Such questions cannot be truly answered, because they are not truly questions.

And now the day has gone, and the night is near. The old thought comes back to Him (John 9:4; John 11:9). The last rays of light are shining. It is only a little while, and He warns them with all the solemnity of this thought.

Walk while you have the light, lest darkness come upon you.—The better reading is, Walk according as you have the light—that is, “Walk as men who are conscious that the light is among them, use your opportunities; do not ask questions to raise objections, but ask them in order that you may know the truth.”

The man who in this way used the light would by no means walk in darkness, but would have the light of life (John 8:12). For the one who neglected to use the means and faculty he had, both would cease to exist. (Compare the note on Romans 1:21.)

The terms “come upon,” or “overtake,” are used to describe some sudden seizure. There are two parallels in Biblical Greek: But you, brethren, are not in darkness that the day should overtake you as a thief (1 Thessalonians 5:4), and Be sure your sin will find you out (Numbers 32:23).

He who walks in darkness.—Compare notes in John 8:12; John 9:4; John 11:9; and 1 John 2:11.

Does not know where he is going.—The last word means “goes away,” “departs.” The frequent use of the word by St. John to express departure to the other world suggests that meaning here.

He was going away. They ask, “Who is this Son of man who is lifted up,” “who goes away?” He warns them lest darkness seize them, and they go away into darkness. In the next four chapters the same word is used twelve times of Christ’s departure. (Compare, for example,John 13:3; John 13:33; John 13:36.)