What does John 12:35 mean?
Metaphors about light and darkness are common in the Bible. For the people of Israel, "light" was the universal symbol of all that was good and right. The contrast is one all people can understand: stumbling around in the dark can be frightening and dangerous. It's no exaggeration to say that having a source of light, in some situations, can be the difference between life and death.In this context, Jesus is indicating that there is a "light" available in the form of His message, miracles, and testimony. The people have an opportunity to respond to those, as God intends, by believing (John 12:30; 20:30–31). But that opportunity is limited. In the literal sense, Jesus has only a few days left prior to His crucifixion. These are among the last words He will publicly preach before being arrested. In the more general sense, people are not offered unlimited opportunities for salvation—sooner or later, our fragile lives will end (James 4:14). Those who reject God have no guarantee they'll have another chance (Proverbs 29:1; Hebrews 9:28).