New Living Translation
John 9:4
4We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work.
John 9:4 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
- New International Version (NIV)As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.
- English Standard Version (ESV)We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.
- New King James Version (NKJV)I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.
Context of John 9:4
2“Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?” 3“It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him. We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work. 5But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man’s eyes.
Read all of John 9John 9:4 word by word
ἡμᾶς δεῖ ἐργάζεσθαι τὰ ἔργα τοῦ πέμψαντός με ἕως ἡμέρα ἐστίν· ἔρχεται νύξ, ὅτε οὐδεὶς δύναται ἐργάζεσθαι.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Iἐγώegō · I/weG1473
- mustδεῖdei · be necessaryG1163
- workἐργάζομαιergazomai · to workG2038
- the worksὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- the worksἔργονergon · workG2041
- of him that sentπέμπωpempō · to sendG3992
- whileἕωςheōs · untilG2193
- it isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- dayἡμέραhēmera · dayG2250
- the nightνύξnux · nightG3571
- comethἔρχομαιerchomai · to come/goG2064
- whenὅτεhote ho te hē te tō te · whenG3753
- no manοὐδείςoudeis · noneG3762
- canδύναμαιdunamai · be ableG1410
Cross-references for John 9:4
- John 4:34Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.
- John 5:19So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.
- John 10:32Jesus said, “At my Father’s direction I have done many good works. For which one are you going to stone me?”
- John 17:4I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.
- Luke 13:32Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox that I will keep on casting out demons and healing people today and tomorrow; and the third day I will accomplish my purpose.
- Acts 4:20We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.”
- John 11:9Jesus replied, “There are twelve hours of daylight every day. During the day people can walk safely. They can see because they have the light of this world.
- John 12:35Jesus replied, “My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going.
- Ecclesiastes 9:10Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.
- Isaiah 38:18For the dead cannot praise you; they cannot raise their voices in praise. Those who go down to the grave can no longer hope in your faithfulness.
- Ephesians 5:16Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.
- Colossians 4:5Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.
Commentaries on John 9:4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4While it is day - Though I plainly perceive that the cure of this man will draw down upon me the malice of the Jewish rulers, yet I must accomplish the work for which I came into the world whole it is day - while the term of this life of mine shall last. It was about six months after this that our Lord was crucified. It is very likely that the day was now declining, and night coming on; and he took occasion from this circumstance to introduce the elegant…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4The works of him - The works of beneficence and mercy which God has commissioned me to do, and which are expressive of his goodness and power. This was on the Sabbath day John 9:14; and though Jesus had endangered his life (Ecclesiastes 9:10; “there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave.” From this we may learn: 1.that it is our duty to employ all our time in doing the will of God. 2.that we should seek for opportunities of…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-41At the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus claimed to be the light of the world (chapters 7–8; see 8:12). Now John tells about Jesus giving light, both physically and spiritually, to a blind man who lived in darkness (see 9:5). The story ends with a surprising reversal (a complete change) of roles: The man who had been blind was assumed to live in spiritual darkness. Yet he came to see and accept God’s light. The Pharisees could see with their physical eyes…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-411-5. as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from birth--and who "sat begging" (Joh 9:8).Read the comment
Topics related to John 9:4
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on John 9
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Catena Aurea
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- John Lightfoot Commentary
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
New Living Translation — © 1996, 2004, 2015 Tyndale House Foundation
Commentaries