While it is daytime, we must do the works of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work.
Parallel translations
- WEB I must work the works of him who sent me, while it is day. The night is coming, when no one can work.
- KJV I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
- NKJV I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.
- NASB We must carry out the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.
- NLT 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.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jesus stresses the urgency of doing the Father's work while it is day, before the night comes. There is a limited time appointed for his mission.
Overview
Using day and night imagery, Jesus underscores the urgency and divinely appointed timing of his work. The "night" likely points to his approaching death, after which this phase of earthly ministry would end. The verse models faithful, timely obedience and reminds believers to labor for God while opportunity remains.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- John 12:35Then 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.
- Eph 5:16redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
- John 4:34Jesus explained, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.
- Eccl 9:10Whatever you find to do with your hands, do it with all your might, for in Sheol, where you are going, there is no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.
- John 11:9–10Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? If anyone walks in the daytime, he will not stumble, because he sees by the light of this world.
- Gal 6:10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.
- John 17:4I have glorified You on earth by accomplishing the work You gave Me to do.
- Col 4:5Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.
- John 5:36But I have testimony more substantial than that of John. For the works that the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works I am doing—testify about Me that the Father has sent Me.
- John 10:32But Jesus responded, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone Me?”
- Isa 38:18–19For Sheol cannot thank You; Death cannot praise You. Those who descend to the Pit cannot hope for Your faithfulness.
- John 10:37If I am not doing the works of My Father, then do not believe Me.
- Acts 4:20For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
- John 5:19So Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself, unless He sees the Father doing it. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does.
- Luke 13:32–34But Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘Look, I will keep driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach My goal.’
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
John declares him plainly: the eternal Word made flesh, the Lamb of God, the great 'I AM' — bread, light, door, shepherd, way, truth, life, resurrection — that you may believe and have life in his name.
How John 9:4 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.