I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man 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.
- BSB While it is daytime, we must do the works of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one 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 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.
- Eph 5:16Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
- John 4:34Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
- Eccl 9:10Whatsoever 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 11:9–10Jesus 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.
- Gal 6:10As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
- John 17:4I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
- Col 4:5Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
- John 5:36But 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 10:32Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
- Isa 38:18–19For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth.
- John 10:37If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
- Acts 4:20For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
- John 5:19Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
- Luke 13:32–34And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
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.