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John 12:46
ESV I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.
NIV I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
NASB I have come as Light into the world, so that no one who believes in Me will remain in darkness.
CSB I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me would not remain in darkness.
NLT I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.
KJV I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
NKJV I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.

What does John 12:46 mean?

When speaking at an earlier festival, Jesus referred to Himself as "the light of the world" (John 8:12). The metaphor of light versus darkness was crucial to Hebrew thinking. Light was symbolic of goodness, knowledge, and truth. The imagery of someone who lacks light is that of a person who makes mistakes—they stumble and become lost—as well as one who is in danger—they can fall or be taken by surprise. 2 Corinthians 4:4 explains that Christ came into the world to be the Light, and those who do not see Him that way are "blinded."

As Jesus indicated when speaking to a crowd in Jerusalem, this means that the things Jesus said and did are meant to lead people to truth (John 12:30). Those who reject that knowledge must do so deliberately (John 5:39–40; 12:37–43). To "remain in darkness" is not merely to choose ignorance. It means to decide to remain away from God, forever (Matthew 25:30). Those who do not believe in Christ are turning away from the only means of salvation (John 14:6). The end result of that is facing the wrath of God (John 3:36) and paying one's own eternal penalty for sin (Revelation 20:11–15).
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