YHN 12:35 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) Yeshua answered them, “The light will be among you all for just a little bit longer, so get walking while you have the light so that you won’t have to deal with darkness. Anyone walking in the dark doesn’t know where they’re going.

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, cyan:dative/indirect object, red:negative.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT Jesus then said to them, “The light will be with you yet a short time. Walk while you have the light, so that darkness might not overtake you. And the one walking in the darkness does not know where he goes.

UST Jesus told them, “I am the light that reveals God’s truth and goodness. I will be with you only a little longer. Live according to my example while I am still here in order to prevent the darkness that is sin and evil from controlling you. Those who live sinfully are like people who wander around in darkness, not knowing where they are going!

BSB Then Jesus told them, “[For] a little while longer, the Light will be among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you. The [one who] walks in the darkness {does} not know where he is going.

MSB Then Jesus told them, “[For] a little while longer, the Light will be with[fn] you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you. The [one who] walks in the darkness {does} not know where he is going.

BLB Therefore Jesus said to them, "Yet a little while, the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, so that darkness might not overtake you. And the one walking in the darkness does not know where he is going.

AICNT So Jesus said to them, “The light is {among}[fn] you for a little while longer. Walk {while}[fn] you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; and the one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.

12:35, among: Some manuscripts read “with.”

12:35, while: Some manuscripts read “as.”

OEB ‘Only a little while longer,’ answered Jesus, ‘will you have the light among you. Travel on while you have the light, so that darkness may not overtake you; he who travels in the darkness does not know where he is going.

WEBBE Jesus therefore said to them, “Yet a little while the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, that darkness doesn’t overtake you. He who walks in the darkness doesn’t know where he is going.

WMBB Yeshua therefore said to them, “Yet a little while the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, that darkness doesn’t overtake you. He who walks in the darkness doesn’t know where he is going.

NET Jesus replied, “The light is with you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.

LSV Therefore Jesus said to them, “Yet a short time is the light with you; walk while you have the light, that darkness may not overtake you; and he who is walking in the darkness has not known where he goes;

FBV Jesus replied, “The light is here with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light so that the darkness doesn't overtake you. Those who walk in the dark don't know where they're going.

TCNT Jesus said to them, “The light is [fn]with you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness will not overtake you. He who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.

12:35 with ¦ among CT

T4T Then Jesus said to them, “My message is like [MET] a light for you. I will be with you for only a little while longer. Live and act as you should while I am still with you, because suddenly you will have no more opportunity to hear my message! You do not want to be like [MET] someone who cannot see where he is going any more when it suddenly becomes dark!

LEB So Jesus said to them, “Yet a little time the light is with you! Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness does not overtake you! And the one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.

BBE Jesus said to them, For a little time longer the light will be among you; while you have the light go on walking in it, so that the dark may not overtake you: one walking in the dark has no knowledge of where he is going.

Moff Then Jesus said to them, "The Light will shine among you for a little longer yet; walk while you have the Light, that the darkness may not overtake you. He who walks in the dark does not know where he is going.

Wymth "Yet a little while," He replied, "the light is among you. Be faithful to the light that you have, for fear darkness should overtake you; for a man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going.

ASV 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.

DRA Jesus therefore said to them: Yet a little while, the light is among you. Walk whilst you have the light, that the darkness overtake you not. And he that walketh in darkness, knoweth not whither he goeth.

YLT Jesus, therefore, said to them, 'Yet a little time is the light with you; walk while ye have the light, that darkness may not overtake you; and he who is walking in the darkness hath not known where he goeth;

Drby Jesus therefore said to them, Yet a little while is the light amongst you. Walk while ye have the light, that darkness may not overtake you. And he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes.

RV 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.
(Jesus therefore said unto them, Yet a little while is the light among you. Walk while ye/you_all have the light, that darkness overtake you not: and he that walketh in the darkness knoweth/knows not whither/where he goeth/goes. )

SLT Then said Jesus to them, Yet a little time the light is with you. Walk while ye have light, lest darkness overtake you: and he walking in darkness knows not where he retires.

Wbstr Then Jesus said to 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.

KJB-1769 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.
(Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye/you_all have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth/knows not whither/where he goeth/goes. )

KJB-1611 Then Iesus said vnto them, Yet a little while is the light with you: walke while ye haue the light, lest darkdesse come vpon you: For he that walketh in darkenesse, knoweth not whither he goeth.
(Then Yesus/Yeshua said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you: walk while ye/you_all have the light, lest darkdesse come upon you: For he that walketh in darkness, knoweth/knows not whither/where he goeth/goes.)

Bshps Then Iesus sayde vnto them: Yet a litle while is the light with you. Walke while ye haue light, lest the darknesse come on you: For he that walketh in the darke, wotteth not whither he goeth.
(Then Yesus/Yeshua said unto them: Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye/you_all have light, lest the darkness come on you: For he that walketh in the dark, wotteth not whither/where he goeth/goes.)

Gnva Then Iesus sayd vnto them, Yet a litle while is the light with you: walke while ye haue that light, lest the darkenes come vpon you: for hee that walketh in the darke, knoweth not whither he goeth.
(Then Yesus/Yeshua said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you: walk while ye/you_all have that light, lest the darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in the dark, knoweth/knows not whither/where he goeth/goes. )

Cvdl Then sayde Iesus vnto them: The light is yet a litle whyle with you, walke whyle ye haue the light, that the darknesse fall not vpo you. He that walketh in the darknesse, woteth not whither he goeth.
(Then said Yesus/Yeshua unto them: The light is yet a little while with you, walk while ye/you_all have the light, that the darkness fall not upon you. He that walketh in the darkness, woteth not whither/where he goeth/goes.)

TNT Then Iesus sayde vnto them: yet a lytell whyle is the light with you. Walke whill ye have light lest the darcknes come on you. He that walketh in the darke wotteth not whither he goeth.
(Then Yesus/Yeshua said unto them: yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye/you_all have light lest the darkness come on you. He that walketh in the dark wotteth not whither/where he goeth/goes. )

Wycl Who is this mannus sone? And thanne Jhesus seith to hem, Yit a litil liyt is in you; walke ye, the while ye han liyt, that derknessis catche you not; he that wandrith in derknessis, woot nere whidur he goith.
(Who is this man’s son? And then Yhesus saith/says to hem, Yet a little light is in you; walk ye/you_all, the while ye/you_all have light, that darkness catch you not; he that wandrith in darkness, know nere whither/where he goeth/goes.)

Luth Da sprach JEsus zu ihnen: Es ist das Licht noch eine kleine Zeit bei euch. Wandelt, dieweil ihr das Licht habt, daß euch die Finsternisse nicht überfallen. Wer in Finsternis wandelt, der weiß nicht, wo er hingehet.
(So spoke Yesus to/for to_them: It is the light(n) still a/one small time/period at/in you. change(n)t, meanwhile you(pl)/their/her the light(n) have, that you the darknessse not attacked. Who in darkness transforms, the/of_the white not, where he goes_there.)

ClVg Dixit ergo eis Jesus: Adhuc modicum, lumen in vobis est. Ambulate dum lucem habetis, ut non vos tenebræ comprehendant; et qui ambulat in tenebris, nescit quo vadat.[fn]
(He/She_said therefore to_them Yesus: Still modicum, the_light in/into/on to_you(pl) it_is. Ambulate while the_light you(pl)_have, as not/no you(pl) darkness comprehendant; and who/which he_walks in/into/on darkness, doesn't_know where let_it_go. )

12.35 Ambulate. Id est, totum intelligite, et moriturum Christum ut redimat victurum in æternum in cœlo quo perducat. Vel dum Christum vobiscum habetis ne tenebræ ignorantiæ et mortis perpetuæ vos comprehendant. Nescit quo vadat. Qui non credit mortem Christi, nescit quo vadit, sed offendit in petram scandali, quod est Christus, Judæis contemnentibus et irridentibus mortuum.

12.35 Ambulate. That it_is, whole understand, and he_diesum Christ/Messiah as redimat victurum in/into/on eternal in/into/on sky where perducat. Or while Christ/Messiah with_you(pl) you(pl)_have not darkness ignorantiæ and of_death perpetuæ you(pl) comprehendant. Nescit where let_it_go. Who not/no he_believes death Christi, doesn't_know where goes, but offends in/into/on a_rock scandali, that it_is Christ/Messiah, To_the_Jews contemnentibus and irridentibus dead.

UGNT εἶπεν οὖν αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς, ἔτι μικρὸν χρόνον, τὸ φῶς ἐν ὑμῖν ἐστιν. περιπατεῖτε ὡς τὸ φῶς ἔχετε, ἵνα μὴ σκοτία ὑμᾶς καταλάβῃ; καὶ ὁ περιπατῶν ἐν τῇ σκοτίᾳ, οὐκ οἶδεν ποῦ ὑπάγει.
(eipen oun autois ho Yaʸsous, eti mikron ⱪronon, to fōs en humin estin. peripateite hōs to fōs eⱪete, hina maʸ skotia humas katalabaʸ; kai ho peripatōn en taʸ skotia, ouk oiden pou hupagei.)

SBL-GNT εἶπεν οὖν αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Ἔτι μικρὸν χρόνον τὸ φῶς ⸂ἐν ὑμῖν⸃ ἐστιν. περιπατεῖτε ⸀ὡς τὸ φῶς ἔχετε, ἵνα μὴ σκοτία ὑμᾶς καταλάβῃ, καὶ ὁ περιπατῶν ἐν τῇ σκοτίᾳ οὐκ οἶδεν ποῦ ὑπάγει.
(eipen oun autois ho Yaʸsous; Eti mikron ⱪronon to fōs ⸂en humin⸃ estin. peripateite ⸀hōs to fōs eⱪete, hina maʸ skotia humas katalabaʸ, kai ho peripatōn en taʸ skotia ouk oiden pou hupagei.)

RP-GNT Εἶπεν οὖν αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς, Ἔτι μικρὸν χρόνον τὸ φῶς μεθ' ὑμῶν ἐστιν. Περιπατεῖτε ἕως τὸ φῶς ἔχετε, ἵνα μὴ σκοτία ὑμᾶς καταλάβῃ· καὶ ὁ περιπατῶν ἐν τῇ σκοτίᾳ οὐκ οἶδεν ποῦ ὑπάγει.
(Eipen oun autois ho Yaʸsous, Eti mikron ⱪronon to fōs meth' humōn estin. Peripateite heōs to fōs eⱪete, hina maʸ skotia humas katalabaʸ; kai ho peripatōn en taʸ skotia ouk oiden pou hupagei.)

TC-GNT Εἶπεν οὖν αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς, Ἔτι μικρὸν χρόνον τὸ φῶς [fn]μεθ᾽ ὑμῶν ἐστι. Περιπατεῖτε [fn]ἕως τὸ φῶς ἔχετε, ἵνα μὴ σκοτία ὑμᾶς καταλάβῃ· καὶ ὁ περιπατῶν ἐν τῇ σκοτίᾳ οὐκ οἶδε ποῦ ὑπάγει.
(Eipen oun autois ho Yaʸsous, Eti mikron ⱪronon to fōs meth humōn esti. Peripateite heōs to fōs eⱪete, hina maʸ skotia humas katalabaʸ; kai ho peripatōn en taʸ skotia ouk oide pou hupagei. )

12:35 μεθ υμων ¦ εν υμιν CT

12:35 εως ¦ ως CT

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 12:27–36b: Jesus talked about his death

Jesus spoke about his coming death. He said that he was disturbed by what was going to happen, but that was why he came to earth. He prayed that his Father God would reveal his glory in Jesus’ death. God answered that had already revealed his glory and that he would do it again.

Jesus said that the time had now come for God to judge the world and drive out Satan. And Jesus’ death would attract people to him. But the people there were confused because they did not think that the Messiah would die. Jesus told them to believe in the light, which was himself.

Here are some other possible titles for this section:

Jesus’ death will attract people to himself

What Jesus’ death would do

12:35a

Then Jesus told them, “For a little while longer, the Light will be among you.

¶ So Jesus told the crowd, “The light will be among you^(plur) just a little while longer.
¶ Then Jesus told the people, “It is only for a short while more that you^(plur) will have the/my light.

Then: The Greek word that the BSB translates as Then is often translated “therefore.” Many English translations do not translate this word. Others do translate this word. Translate this connection in a way that is natural in your language. For example:

So (ESV)

Jesus told them: The word them refers to the crowd.

For a little while longer, the Light will be among you: This is a metaphor. In this metaphor the Light represents Jesus. He is like light in that he shows/reveals things as they truly are. He reveals the true God to people.

In some languages a literal translation of this metaphor may be difficult to understand. Here are some other ways to translate it:

Make it explicit that Jesus is the source of light. For example:
My light will shine out for you just a little while longer. (NLT)
Change the metaphor to a simile and make it explicit that Jesus is the one like the light. For example:
I am like a light that will be with you a little longer.
For just a little more time I, who am like a light which shines on you, will be with you.

a little while longer…will be among you: This phrase indicates that Jesus will be with them just a little while more. (The Greek text emphasizes the phrase a little while longer.) After that, Jesus implied, he would no longer be with them. It may be natural to use the future tense for the verb. For example:

will be with you for a little longer (NCV)

will still be with you for a little while (GW)

12:35b

Walk while you have the Light,

Keep going while you^(plur) still have the light
Continue on your way while you have the light, (GNT)

Walk while you have the Light: The word Walk is a command to keep on going to continue following Jesus, as long as it is possible. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

Continue on your way while you have the light (GNT)

Go on your way while you have the light. (NJB)

Walk in the light while you can. (NLT)

while you have the Light: While they still have Jesus with them, the people need to listen to him and believe him. Jesus was implying that he would not always be with them. Refer to how you translated the metaphor of the Light in 12:35a. Also check that your readers understand that Jesus continued to refer to himself. For example:

while I am with you to give you light

12:35c

so that darkness will not overtake you.

before the darkness reaches you^(plur).
so that you^(plur) will not find yourself walking in dark places.

so that: This phrase introduces a purpose clause. It introduces the reason why the people should walk in the light.

darkness will not overtake you: This is a metaphor. In this metaphor, darkness represents evil. People who do not believe in Jesus will not know the truth about God. So spiritual darkness will overcome them, and they will not know what is true or how they should live. In your translation, help your readers understand the meaning by implying that darkness is an evil thing to be avoided. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

the darkness may not come upon you (GNT)

the darkness will not catch you (NCV)

overtake: The Greek verb that the BSB translates as overtake can mean “to suddenly seize someone like an enemy.” It can also include the idea of overcoming and gaining control over someone or something. The same verb is used in John 1:5b (darkness is unable to overcome the light), Mark 9:18 (an evil spirit seized a boy), and 1 Thessalonians 5:4 (a day cannot overtake you like a thief). Refer to the notes on those verses and use a verb that refers to the sudden arrival of some enemy. For example:

seize you

overcome you

General Comment on 12:35c

In some languages it may not be natural to talk about “darkness” as though it were a person that can “overtake” or overcome someone. It may be more natural for the pronoun “you” to be the subject of the clause. For example:

so that you will not be suddenly walking in the dark

so that you will not find yourselves walking in dark places

12:35d

The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.

If you^(plur) walk in the dark, you will not know/see the way.
The person who walks in the dark cannot see where he is going.
People who walk in dark places do not know where they are going.

The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going: This is a metaphor or illustration of a spiritual truth. In this figure of speech darkness again represents evil. People who refuse to believe in Jesus, the light, are separated from good. They cannot know the truth about God and what he is like. They cannot know how loving and holy he is. They cannot know how he wants them to live. They walk in spiritual darkness.Two English translations, KJV and GNT, supply the word “for” (meaning “because”) before “the one who walks in the dark does not know where he is going” (GNT). The Greek conjunction translated “for” usually means “and” (see NJB), though there could be a reason implied here. It is recommended that you follow BSB and not translate this word. However, if a major translation in your area includes a word like “for,” you may want to follow it.

The metaphors of “light” and darkness are important in scripture. So it is recommended that you keep the metaphor in your translation. Here are other ways to translate this sentence:

Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. (NIV)

Those who walk in the dark don’t know where they’re going. (GW)

He who walks when it is dark cannot find the good/right path to walk on.

General Comment on 12:35d

The BSB follows the Greek and translates this verse part in the third person. In some languages it may be more natural to express the idea in second person. For example:

If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. (NRSV)

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

τὸ φῶς ἐν ὑμῖν ἐστιν & ὡς τὸ φῶς ἔχετε

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἶπεν Οὖν αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἔτι μικρόν χρόνον Τό φῶς ἐν ὑμῖν ἐστίν περιπατεῖτε ὡς τό φῶς ἔχετε ἵνα μή σκοτία ὑμᾶς καταλάβῃ καί ὁ περιπατῶν ἐν τῇ σκοτίᾳ οὐκ οἶδεν ποῦ ὑπάγει)

Jesus uses light to refer to refer to himself. He is “the Light of the World” who reveals God’s truth and goodness the way a light reveals a person’s surroundings. See how you translated light in [8:12](../08/12.md). Alternate translation: [The one who reveals God’s truth and goodness will be with you … while you have him]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / 123person

τὸ φῶς ἐν ὑμῖν ἐστιν & ὡς τὸ φῶς ἔχετε

Jesus is speaking of himself in the third person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate these phrases in the first person. Alternate translation: [I, the light, will be with you … while you have me]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

περιπατεῖτε

˓be˒_walking

Jesus uses Walk to refer to how a person lives and behaves. He is telling the crowd to live and act according to the example that he has shown them while he has been with them. If this would be confusing in your language, you could express the meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: [Behave righteously]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / personification

ἵνα μὴ σκοτία ὑμᾶς καταλάβῃ

in_order_that (Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἶπεν Οὖν αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἔτι μικρόν χρόνον Τό φῶς ἐν ὑμῖν ἐστίν περιπατεῖτε ὡς τό φῶς ἔχετε ἵνα μή σκοτία ὑμᾶς καταλάβῃ καί ὁ περιπατῶν ἐν τῇ σκοτίᾳ οὐκ οἶδεν ποῦ ὑπάγει)

Jesus uses darkness as though it were a person who could overtake someone. If this might be confusing for your readers, you could express this meaning plainly or with a simile. Alternate translation: [so that you do not act sinfully, as if the darkness of sin had taken control of you]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

σκοτία

darkness

Jesus uses darkness to refer to what is false and evil. See how you translated this term in [1:5](../01/05.md).

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ὁ περιπατῶν ἐν τῇ σκοτίᾳ

¬the the_‹one› walking in the darkness

Jesus uses this phrase to refer to a person who lives a sinful life and behaves sinfully. If this would confuse your readers, you could express the meaning plainly or use a simile. Alternate translation: [the one who lives sinfully] or [the one who does not behave righteously]