Church Fathers Commentary John 11:6-10

"When therefore he heard that he was sick, he abode at that time two days in the place where he was. Then after this he saith to the disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. The disciples say unto him, Rabbi, the Jews were but now seeking to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If a man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because the light is not in him." — John 11:6-10 (ASV)

Alcuin of York: Our Lord heard of Lazarus's sickness but allowed four days to pass before He cured it, so that the recovery might be all the more wonderful. Therefore, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed for two more days in the place where He was.

St. John Chrysostom: He did this to allow time for his death and burial, so that people might say, "He stinks," and no one could doubt that he was raised from death and not merely from a trance.

St. Augustine of Hippo: This was the place where He had just escaped being stoned, which was the reason He left. Indeed, He left as a man in weakness, but He returns in power.

St. John Chrysostom: He had not yet told His disciples where He was going, but now He tells them to prepare them beforehand, for they were greatly alarmed when they heard of it. His disciples said to Him, "Master, the Jews there recently sought to stone you, and you are going there again?" They feared for both Him and themselves, for their faith was not yet strong.

St. Augustine of Hippo: When men presumed to give advice to God, and disciples their Master, our Lord rebuked them. Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day?

He showed Himself to be the Day by appointing twelve disciples (counting Matthias in place of Judas and passing over the latter entirely). The hours are illuminated by the Day, so that through the preaching of the hours, the world might believe in the Day.

His command, therefore, is to follow Him so as not to stumble, and He explains why: If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if a man walks in the night, he stumbles, because there is no light in him.

St. John Chrysostom: This is as if to say that the upright need not fear any evil; only the wicked have cause to fear. We have done nothing deserving of death and are therefore in no danger. Or, if anyone who sees this world's light is safe, how much more safe is the one who is with Me.

Theophylact of Ohrid: Some understand "the day" to mean the time before the Passion, and "the night" to mean the Passion itself.

In this sense, the phrase "while it is day" would mean "before My Passion." You will not stumble before My Passion because the Jews will not persecute you; but when the night—that is, My Passion—comes, then you will be beset with darkness and difficulties.