John 9:4
I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
John 9:4 in other translations
| BSB | While it is daytime, we must do the works of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work. |
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| WEB | I must work the works of him who sent me while it is day. The night is coming, when no one can work. |
| ASV | We must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. |
| YLT | it behoveth me to be working the works of Him who sent me while it is day; night doth come, when no one is able to work: -- |
| DARBY | I must work the works of him that has sent me while it is day. The night is coming, when no one can work. |
| BBE | While it is day we have to do the works of him who sent me: the night comes when no work may be done. |
| Webster | I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh when no man can work. |
What does John 9:4 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on John 9:1-5
Joh 9:1-41. The Opening of the Eyes of One Born Blind, and What Followed on It. 1-5. as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from birth--and who "sat begging" (Joh 9:8).
Barnes' Notes
While it is day. The day is the proper time for work-- night is not. This is the general, the universal sentiment. While the day lasts it is proper to labour. The term day here refers to the life of Jesus, and to the opportunity thus afforded of working miracles. His life was drawing to a close. It was probably but about six months after this when he was put to death. The meaning is, My life is near its close. While it continues I must employ it in doing the works which God has appointed.
The night cometh. Night here represents death. It was drawing near, and he must therefore do what he had to do soon. It is not improbable, also, that this took place near the close of the Sabbath, as the sun was declining, and the shades of evening about to appear. This supposition will give increased beauty to the language which follows.
No man can work. It is literally true that day is the appropriate time for toil, and that the night of death is a time when nothing can be done. Eccl 9:10: "There is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave." From this we may learn,
1st. That it is our duty to employ all our time in doing the will of God.
2nd. That we should seek for opportunities of doing good, and suffer none to pass without improving it. We go but once through the world, and we cannot return to correct errors, and recall neglected opportunities of doing our duty.
3rd. We should be especially diligent in doing our Lord's work from the fact that the night of death is coming. This applies to the aged, for they must soon die; and to the young, for they may soon be called away from this world to eternity.
(b) "I am the light" Jn 1:5,9, 8:12, 12:35,46
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on John 9:1-7
Christ cured many who were blind by disease or accident; here he cured one born blind. Thus he showed his power to help in the most desperate cases, and the work of his grace upon the souls of sinners, which gives sight to those blind by nature. This poor man could not see Christ, but Christ saw him. And if we know or apprehend anything of Christ, it is because we were first known of him. Christ says of uncommon…
John 9:4 in the original Greek
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Cross references for John 9:4
- John 12:35
Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
- Ephesians 5:16
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
- John 4:34
Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
- Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
- John 11:9-10
Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any 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 there is no light in him.
- Galatians 6:10
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
- John 17:4
I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
- Colossians 4:5
Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
- John 5:36
But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
- John 10:32
Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
- John 10:37
If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
- Isaiah 38:18-19
For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth. The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth.
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- John 9:3
Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
- John 9:4
I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
- John 9:5
As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
John 9:4 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Conviéneme obrar las obras del que me envió, entre tanto que el día dura: la noche viene, cuando nadie puede obrar. |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Il me faut faire les œuvres de celui qui m’a envoyé, tandis qu’il est jour; la nuit vient, en laquelle personne ne peut travailler. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Ich muß die Werke dessen wirken, der mich gesandt hat, so lange es Tag ist; es kommt die Nacht, da niemand wirken kann. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Me oportet operari opera ejus qui misit me, donec dies est: venit nox, quando nemo potest operari: |