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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - John 11:9 - 11:9
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
9. οὐχὶ δώδεκα. As so often, Christ gives no direct answer to the question asked, but a general principle, involving the answer to the question. Comp. Joh 2:6; Joh 2:19, Joh 3:5; Joh 3:10, Joh 4:13; Joh 4:21, Joh 6:32; Joh 6:53, Joh 8:7; Joh 8:25; Joh 8:54, Joh 10:25. The meaning seems to be, ‘Are there not twelve working-hours in which a man may labour without fear of stumbling? I have not yet reached the end of My working-day, and so can safely continue the work I came to do. The night cometh, when I can no longer work; but it has not yet come.’ Comp. Joh 9:4. Thus it is practically equivalent to ‘Mine hour is not yet come;’ it is still right for Him to work: but the figure here adopted is of wider application, and contains a moral for the disciples and all Christians as well as an application to Christ; ‘Add nothing and lose nothing, but use the time that is allowed.’ The expression throws no light on S. John’s method of reckoning time. see on Joh 19:14.
προσκόπτει. Knock one’s foot against; offendere.
τὸ φῶς τ. κ. τ. The sun: the words were spoken just before the departure, which probably took place at dawn.