John 9:4

I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

John 9:4 (KJV)

Context

In John 9, Jesus and His disciples encounter a man who was born blind. The disciples ask Jesus whether the man’s blindness was due to his own sin or his parents’ sin. Jesus responds that it was neither, but rather an opportunity for God’s works to be displayed in him.

Meaning

Jesus declares, “I must work the works of him that sent me.” Here, Jesus refers to God the Father as the one who sent Him. He acknowledges that it is His divine mission to perform the works assigned to Him by the Father. Jesus came to earth to fulfill the will of the Father and accomplish the work of salvation.

The phrase “while it is day” refers to the present time, the period in which Jesus was physically present on earth. It signifies the opportunity for Jesus to carry out His ministry—to teach, to heal, and to ultimately offer Himself as a sacrifice for humanity. During His earthly ministry, Jesus was focused on fulfilling His mission to bring salvation to the world.

“The night cometh, when no man can work” signifies the approaching time of Jesus’ crucifixion and death. It refers to the limitation of His earthly ministry and the fact that there would come a time when His physical presence would no longer be available to accomplish the works of God. The night represents the darkness and the end of His earthly ministry, ultimately leading to His death on the cross.

Application

John 9:4 also holds significance for believers today. It reminds us of the importance of recognizing the limited time we have to fulfill the work that God has called us to do. We should be diligent in carrying out God’s will, spreading the message of salvation, and living out our faith while we have the opportunity. Just as Jesus had a sense of urgency, we too should be mindful of the brevity of life and use our time wisely to serve God and others.

This verse teaches that the works of God were to be manifested through Christ, and that there was a necessity for Him to accomplish them. The plural “we” in many translations extends the principle to believers, indicating that Christians also have a limited time to do the works of God. The verse emphasizes the importance of seizing the present opportunity for faithful service, recognizing that the opportunity will not last forever.