The Light Of The World Verse and Its Significance

The Light of the World verse appears in the Bible at John 8:12, John 9:5, and Matthew 5:14. Let’s study the context and significance.

John 8:12

The Light of the World verse appears first in John 8:12

12 Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12 WEB

The verse came directly after the story of the woman caught in adultery in John 8:3-11.

The Pharisees tried to put Jesus on the spot by throwing a woman they caught in adultery in front of Him, and challenge Him to condemn her or condone her. They thought they had the perfect dilemma to test Him. Jesus did neither. After the Pharisees failed to trap Jesus, He declared to them, “I am the light of the world“.

The Pharisees who professed to be followers of the Law did not have the light. They could not recognize that Jesus is the one who wrote the Law. In John 8:6, Jesus wrote with his fingers on the ground. The Temple ground is made of stone. Does it not resemble God writing the Ten Commandments on stone tablets?

Jesus’ declaration should have also reminded the Pharisees of Isaiah 60:1:

“Arise, shine; for your light has come,
    and Yahweh’s glory has risen on you.

Isaiah 60:1 WEB

If the Pharisees are truly followers of God, they will have the light of life. They won’t be blind to the truth of Jesus’ identity.

John 9:5

The Light of the World verse appears a second time in John 9:5

I must work the works of him who sent me while it is day. The night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When he had said this, he spat on the ground, made mud with the saliva, anointed the blind man’s eyes with the mud, and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means “Sent”). So he went away, washed, and came back seeing.

John 9:4-7 WEB

Jesus said this right before He healed the blind man and give him back his sight, allowing light to enter the man’s eyes again.

He is the light of the world, He is the answer to the needs of the world then. It is not just spiritual sight He bring. It is physical sight as well.

Matthew 5:14

The light of the world verse appears a third time in Matthew 5:14.

There is a slight difference here though.

14 You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden. 15 Neither do you light a lamp and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house.

Matthew 5:14-15 WEB

It is no longer He is the light of the world. Now, it is you. YOU are the light of the world. It is also not you WILL become the light of the world, it is You ARE the light of the world.

Jesus uses two examples to explain what he meant by that.

  1. City on a hill
  2. Lamp in the house

What is the difference between the light of the “city on a hill” and the “lamp in the house“?

The light of the city draws attention to itself. It is not to give light to its surroundings.

The light of the lamp is used to illuminate its surroundings. In most cases, the lamp is not even noticed by the people in the house. It does not draw attention to itself.

The sequence is significant too. Like the city on a hill, we draw others to ourselves with our lights. Then, like a lamp in a house, we illuminate for others.

Our blessed lives and good works are to be like lights pointing men to God the Father. Good works are not used as qualifications to enter into God’s Kingdom.

There are two worship songs that reference the Light of the World.

1. Light of the World by Lauren Daigle

The world waits for a miracle
The heart longs for a little bit of hope
Oh come, oh come, Emmanuel

A child prays for peace on Earth
And she's calling out from a sea of hurt
Oh come, oh come, Emmanuel

And can you hear the angels singing

Glory to the light of the world
Glory, the light of the world is here

The drought breaks with the tears of a mother
A baby's cry is the sound of love
Come down, come down, Emmanuel

He is the song for the suffering
He is Messiah, the Prince of Peace has come
He has come, Emmanuel

Glory to the light of the world
Glory to the light of the world
Glory to the light of the world
Glory to the light of the world
For all who wait
For all who hunger
For all who've prayed
For all who…

2. Here I Am To Worship by Tim Hughes

This song was Tim Hughes’ response after reading Philippians 2 in 1999. The opening line “Light of the world, you stepped down into darkness, opened my eyes, let me see” juxtaposes light with darkness and how blind eyes are opened with light.

Light of the world
You stepped down into darkness
Opened my eyes, let me see

Beauty that made this heart adore You
Hope of a life spent with You

Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You're my God

You're altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me

King of all days
Oh so highly exalted
Glorious in heaven above

Humbly You came to the earth You created
All for love's sake became poor

Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You're my God
You're altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me

Well, I'll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross
Well, I'll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross
Well, I'll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross
Well, I'll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross

We have come to the end of this post. I pray you have found it useful. Do let me know by liking or sharing it or leaving a comment about what you found useful.

Be greatly blessed!

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