"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'"
— John 8:12 (NIV)
John 8:12 is the "I am the light of the world" verse. This page gives the verse, where it sits in John 8, and a plain reading. For more on the theme, see Bible verses about the light of the world, Bible verses about light, and Bible verses about the light of life.
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The verse
The King James says, "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
"Light" is phōs (G5457), and "world" is kosmos (G2889). "Follows" is akoloutheō (G190), to go along after someone as a disciple. "Darkness" is skotia (G4653), and "life" is zōē (G2222).
Where it sits in John 8
Jesus is in Jerusalem around the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7:2, 37). John says he spoke these words "while teaching in the temple courts near the place where the offerings were put" (John 8:20).
The Pharisees answer right away: "Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid" (John 8:13). Jesus says it again in John 9:5, "While I am in the world, I am the light of the world," and then heals a man born blind.
What the verse is saying
Jesus does not say he has light or shows the way to light. He says he is the light. The promise is tied to following him: the one who follows "will never walk in darkness."
"The light of life" echoes the start of the Gospel: "In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it" (John 1:4-5). For more, see Bible verses about the true light and Bible verses about Jesus.
Questions people ask
What does John 8:12 say?
In the NIV it says, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." The KJV says, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
Where was Jesus when he said John 8:12?
He was teaching in the temple courts in Jerusalem, near the place where the offerings were put (John 8:20), around the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7:2, 37).
Is John 8:12 one of the "I am" statements?
Yes. It is one of seven "I am" sayings in John's Gospel, along with the bread of life (John 6:35), the gate (John 10:9), the good shepherd (John 10:11), the resurrection and the life (John 11:25), the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), and the true vine (John 15:1).
What does "the light of life" mean?
It is light that gives life. John 1:4 says of Jesus, "In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind."
How does John 8:12 connect to Matthew 5:14?
In John 8:12 Jesus says, "I am the light of the world." In Matthew 5:14 he tells his followers, "You are the light of the world." His light comes first, and they reflect it.
