John 11:9

Are there not twelve hours in the day As so often, Christ gives no direct answer to the question asked, but a general principle, involving the answer to the question. Comp. John 2:6; John 2:19; John 3:5; John 3:10; John 4:13; John 4:21; John 6:32; John 6:52; John 8:7; John 8:25; John 8:54; John 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. John 9:4. Thus it is practically equivalent to -Mine hour is not yet come;" it is still safe 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. The expression throws no light on S. John's method of reckoning time. See on John 19:14.

the light of this world The sun.