Jesus is headed back to Judea to see the weakening Lazarus and his disciples remind him that he was almost stoned last time he was in Judea asking if he want to bring that back.
John 11:9 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.
John 11:9 Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light.
Twelve hours belong to the daytime, don't they? When anyone walks around during the daytime, he doesn't strike against [anything] because the light of the world order, of this one, he sees.
People see the light about half of the time.
Jesus here is making "light" of the attempts to stone him. The negative beginning of the verse means "not really," but it is used in questions and their answers to reverse the like we add the negative "isn't it?" or "doesn't it" at the end of a sentence. The verb "to be" means "belongs to" when followed by a genitive object, "the day." The word translated as "walk" has the sense of pacing back and forth, but it is used specifically for the pacing of a teacher in front of a class. It could refer to his opposition from teachers like the Pharisees. The word translated as "stumble" primarily means to "strike against." This is a play on words referring to his having rocks thrown at him. Light in Greek is closely tied to the idea of "knowledge." The word, "this one," toward the end of the verse could refer to himself since both he and the word, "world," are masculine.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "there" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "not" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The word translated as "if" has more of a probability of "if" alone, more like our "when."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "man" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "in" is the common word usually translated as "in."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "stumble" is not the common word usually translated as "stumble."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "see" is not the common word usually translated as "see."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "world" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "there" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "no" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "daylight" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "when" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "who" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "should" or "might" is not shown in the English translation.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "will" indicates the future tense, but that is not the tense here.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "stumble" is not the common word usually translated as "stumble."
- WN - Wrong Number- The word "they" is translated as plural but the Greek word is singular.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "see" is not the common word usually translated as "see."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "by" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "world" is not shown in the English translation.
Are -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions. -- When the verb "to be" appears early in the clause before the subject, the sense is more like "it is" or, in the plural, "there are."
there -- (IW) This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb. However, its addition hides the real subject of the verb, the "hour."
not -- (CW) The word translated as "not" is a different form of the usual Greek negative of fact meaning "no truly," "assuredly not," "not however," "nevertheless," and "notwithstanding." Used in questions where an affirmative answer is expected. Used in answers where a "yes" must be supplied. Perhaps best translated as an "isn't it?" at the end of the sentence. The fact that ancient Greek has no clear verb form for questions makes interpreting it difficult.
twelve -- "Twelve" is the Greek word for the number.
hours - The word translated as "hour" means a period of time equal to the one-twelfth part of the daylight, like an "hour."
in -- (CW) This word "in" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. In reference to time, it could be translated ‘during’, ‘at’, or ‘within’. However, it is not the same as the preposition translated as "in" below, which is the word usually translated as "in."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
day? -- The Greek word translated as "day" also means "time," in general, and refers specifically to the "daytime."
If -- (CW) The Greek word meaning "when" indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. This is how we use the word "when." This is not the simple "if.
any -- The Greek word translated as "any" in the singular means "anyone," "someone," "something," and "anything." As a subject, the word can be used either as masculine or feminine so "anyone" works best for a person. In the plural, it means "some," "they," and "those." Jesus often uses it to start a question so it means "who," "what," or even "why."
man -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "man" in the Greek source.
walk -- "Walk" is a Greek verb that means "to walk up and down," "to walk about," and "to walk about while teaching." Jesus uses it somewhat humorously in the sense that we use "parade." The form is one of possibility, but that is implied by the "if/when."
in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
day -- The Greek word translated as "day" also means "time," in general, and refers specifically to the "daytime."
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
stumbleth -- (CW) This word is only used three times by Jesus. Twice in parallel verses to means "stumble upon," even though it is not the common word for "stumble." Once to describe a storm beating against a house in last story in the Sermon on the Mount. " The word means "strike against" so in the context of walking, it means "stumble upon."
not, -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.
because - The word translated as "because" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
seeth -- (CW) The verb translated as "see ye" means "to see," "to look to," "to look like," "to beware," and "to look for." It is the more tangible sense of seeing, such as seeing what is right in front of you rather than understanding so "watch" works better. "Look" does not work as well because it doesn't take a direct object and this word does.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
light -- The Greek word translated as "the light" means "light," "daylight [primarily], "opening," and "public visibility." Jesus uses it as a metaphor for "knowledge,"
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
this -- "This" is a demonstrative pronoun that means "this," "here," "the nearer," and "the familiar." It often stands apart from its noun, acting like a pronoun, "this one here" or "this here."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article,"the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
world. -- Jesus uses the word translated as "the world" to mean "the world order," and "civilization," specifically its "rulers," or its organization. Today, we might use the word "society" or "regime" in this sense. More about this word in this article about related words.
Are -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions. -- When the verb "to be" appears early in the clause before the subject, the sense is more like "it is" or, in the plural, "there are."
there -- (IW) This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb. However, its addition hides the real subject of the verb, the "hour."
not -- (CW) The word translated as "not" is a different form of the usual Greek negative of fact meaning "no truly," "assuredly not," "not however," "nevertheless," and "notwithstanding." Used in questions where an affirmative answer is expected. Used in answers where a "yes" must be supplied. Perhaps best translated as an "isn't it?" at the end of the sentence. The fact that ancient Greek has no clear verb form for questions makes interpreting it difficult.
twelve -- "Twelve" is the Greek word for the number.
hours - The word translated as "hour" means a period of time equal to the one-twelfth part of the daylight, like an "hour."
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession. In reference to time, it could instead be translated ‘during’, ‘at’, or ‘within’.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article,"the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
daylight? -- The Greek word translated as "day" also means "time," in general, and refers specifically to the "daytime."
missing "when" -- (MW) The untranslated word "when" indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. This is how we use the word "when." This is not the simple "if.
Anyone -- The Greek word translated as "Anyone " in the singular means "anyone," "someone," "something," and "anything." As a subject, the word can be used either as masculine or feminine so "anyone" works best for a person. In the plural, it means "some," "they," and "those." Jesus often uses it to start a question so it means "who," "what," or even "why."
who -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "who" in the Greek source.
missing "should" or "might"-- (MW) A helping verb is necessary because the following verb is a verb of possibility, a subjunctive, something that "should" or "might" occur. The helping verb is not needed in a clause beginning with an "if" or a "when." By eliminating the initial word, the verb needs to be translated differently.
walk -- "Walk" is a Greek verb that means "to walk up and down," "to walk about," and "to walk about while teaching." Jesus uses it somewhat humorously in the sense that we use "parade." The form is one of possibility, but that is implied by the "if/when."
in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here. It is not the same "in" as used above with "the day."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
daytime -- The Greek word translated as "day" also means "time," in general, and refers specifically to the "daytime."
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
will -- (WT) This helping verb "will" indicates the future tense, but the verb is not the future.
not, -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.
stumble -- (CW) This word is only used three times by Jesus. Twice in parallel verses to means "stumble upon," even though it is not the common word for "stumble." Once to describe a storm beating against a house in last story in the Sermon on the Mount. " The word means "strike against" so in the context of walking, it means "stumble upon."
for - The word translated as "for" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."
they -- (WN) This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb. It is not plural.
see -- (CW) The verb translated as "see ye" means "to see," "to look to," "to look like," "to beware," and "to look for." It is the more tangible sense of seeing, such as seeing what is right in front of you rather than understanding so "watch" works better. "Look" does not work as well because it doesn't take a direct object and this word does.
by -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "by" in the Greek source.
this -- "This" is a demonstrative pronoun that means "this," "here," "the nearer," and "the familiar." It often stands apart from its noun, acting like a pronoun, "this one here" or "this here."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article,"the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
world. -- Jesus uses the word translated as "the world" to mean "the world order," and "civilization," specifically its "rulers," or its organization. Today, we might use the word "society" or "regime" in this sense. More about this word in this article about related words.
’s -- This word apostrophe "s" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" or apostrophe "s" of possession.
light -- The Greek word translated as "the light" means "light," "daylight [primarily], "opening," and "public visibility." Jesus uses it as a metaphor for "knowledge,"
Οὐχὶ [23 verses](adv) "Not" is ouchi, an adverb which means "no," "no truly," "assuredly not," "not however," "nevertheless," "notwithstanding," "yet," "still," "never yet," "for not," "indeed," "for surely not," "no,—certainly not," "for I don't suppose," and "for in no manner." It is not the "not" used below. Sometimes it is used to create negative questions where the expected answer is disagreement.
δώδεκα [5 verses](number) "Twelve" is dodeka, which is the number "twelve," and a noun meaning "a group of twelve." -
ὧραί[37 verses](noun pl fem nom ) "Hour" is hora, which means "any period," "season," (especially springtime), "year' (generally), "climate" (as determined by seasons), "duration," "the twelve equal parts into which the period of daylight was divided," "the fitting time" (for a task).
εἰσιν [614 verses](3rd pl pres ind act) "Are" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen," and "is possible." With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." The object is genitive here.
τῆς [821 verses](article sg fem gen) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἡμέρας [96 verses](noun sg fem gen) "Days" is hemera, which, as a noun, means "day" "a state or time of life," "a time (poetic)," "day break" and "day time." It is also and also has a second meaning, of "quiet," "tame (animals)," "cultivated (crops)," and "civilized (people)."
ἐὰν [162 verses](conj) "If" is ean, which is a conditional particle (derived from ei (if) and an (might), which makes reference to a time and experience in the future that introduces but does not determine an event. This is how we use the word "when."
τις [252 verses](pron sg ,asc/fem nom) "What" is tis, which can mean "someone," "something," "any one," "everyone," "they [indefinite]," "many a one," "whoever," "anyone," "anything," "some sort," "some sort of," "each," "any," "the individual," "such," and so on. In a question, it can mean "who," "why," or "what." It has specific meanings with certain prepositions, \διὰ τί; for what reason? ἐκ τίνος; from what cause? ἐς τί; to what point? to what end?
περιπατῇ [13 verses](3rd sg pres subj act) "Walk" is peripateo, which means "to walk up and down," "to walk about," and "to walk about while teaching."
ἐν [413 verses](prep) "In" is en, which means, with a dative object, "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," "during," and "with." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." Referring to time, it means. "in the course of" or "during."
τῇ [821 verses](article sg fem dat) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἡμέρα [96 verses](noun sg fem gen) "Days" is hemera, which, as a noun, means "day" "a state or time of life," "a time (poetic)," "day break" and "day time." It is also and also has a second meaning, of "quiet," "tame (animals)," "cultivated (crops)," and "civilized (people)."
οὐ [269 verses](partic) "Not" is ou , the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences. The other negative adverb, μή applies to will and thought; οὐ denies, μή rejects; οὐ is absolute, μή relative; οὐ objective, μή subjective.
προσκόπτει, [3 verses](3rd sg pres ind act) "Stumbleth" is proskopto, which means "to strike against", "to stumble upon", "to encounter friction", "to offend," and "to take offense at." The root koptô means "to smite", "to pound," "to chop," "to cut off," and "to beat one's breast. The prefix means "against" or "towards."
ὅτι [332 verses](adv/conj) "Because" is hoti, which introduces a statement of fact "with regard to the fact that," "seeing that," and acts as a causal adverb meaning "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore." --
τὸ [821 verses](article sg neut nom/acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
φῶς [21 verses](noun sg neut nom/acc)"The light" is phos, which means "light," "daylight [primarily], "illumination [of things and of the mind]," "light [of the eyes], "window," "opening," " public visibility," and "publicity." Christ uses it as a metaphor for "knowledge," but in Greek it is also a metaphor for "deliverance," "happiness," "victory," and "glory."
τοῦ [821 verses](article sg masc gen) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
κόσμου [63 verses](noun sg masc gen) "World" is kosmos, which mean "order," "good order," "ruler," "civilization," "world order," "universe," and "the world of men." It is a form of the is verb kosmeô, which means "to order," "to arrange," "to rule," "to adorn" (especially women), and "to equip." It especially means controlling and arranging an army.
τούτου, [51 verses](adj sg masc gen) "This" is toutos, which is a demonstrative pronoun that means "this," "here," "the nearer," and "the familiar."
βλέπει: [46 verses]( 3rd sg pres ind act) "Seeth" is from of blepo, which means "to look," "to see," "to look to," "to look like," "to rely on," "to look longingly," "to propose," "to beware," "to behold," and "to look for."
The word translated as "stumble" primarily means to "strike against." This is a play on words referring to his being stoned.