The Light of the World

Light of the World (Greek: φώς τοῦ κόσμου Phṓs tou kósmou) is a phrase Jesus used to describe himself and his disciples in the New Testament. The phrase is recorded in the Gospel of John and again in the Gospel of Matthew. It is closely related to the parables of Salt and Light and Lamp under a bushel.

In John 8:12 Jesus applies the title to himself while debating with the Jews and states:

I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.

Jesus again claims to be Light of the World in John 9:5, during the miracle of healing the blind at birth, saying:

This episode leads into John 9:39 where Jesus metaphorically explains that he came to this world, so that the blind may see.

In the Christological context, the use of the title Light of the World is similar to the Bread of Life title in John 6:35 where Jesus states: “I am the bread of life: he who comes to me shall not hunger.” These assertions build on the Christological theme of John 5:26 where Jesus claims to possess life just as the Father does and provide it to those who follow him. The term “Life of the World” is applied in the same sense by Jesus to himself in .

Jesus also used that term to refer to his disciples in Matthew 5:14:

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