“John 12:36, “While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of the light.” Must be studied in its connection. Jesus at Jerusalem had predicted “what death He should die,” and its results, verse 32, 33. His hearers, who were obstinately prejudiced in favour of their religion and determined to repudiate His teachings, rejoined by a question which was evidently intended to stagger the great Teacher. He does not answer their query, but rebukes the spirit which prompted it. “Walk while ye have the light”—while My ministry continues—“lest darkness come upon you,” which it did by the judicial blindness which was sent upon them. “While ye have the light, believe in the light,” receive my testimony concerning Myself and My mission. Ye assume great things. Ye pretend to great intelligence and uncommon knowledge—in a word, ye in effect arrogate to yourselves the title of children of light—but know this, that it is only by acknowledging Me, and becoming my disciples that ye can justly earn the appellation.
Where note. (1) Not men as men, but Jews as Jews were addressed, (2) A reception of Jesus as Israel’s Messiah (not as one’s personal Saviour) is contemplated and (3) The title “children of light,” does not as in Eph. 5:8 intend spiritually illuminated persons, but Jews whose minds were informed by the teaching of Jesus.
