Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
When I am in the world (otan en tw kosmw w). Indefinite relative clause with otan and present active subjunctive w, "whenever I am in the world." The Latin Vulgate renders here otan by quamdiu so long as or while as if it were ewv. But clearly Jesus here refers to the historic Incarnation (John 17:11) and to any previous visitations in the time of the patriarchs, prophets, etc. Jesus as God's Son is always the Light of the World (John 1:4, John 1:10; John 8:12), but here the reference is limited to his manifestation "in the world."
I am the light of the world (fwv eimi tou kosmou). The absence of the definite article (to fwv in John 8:12) is to be noted (Westcott). Literally, "I am light to the world, whenever I am in the world." "The display of the character varies with the occasion" (Westcott).
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
John 5:35
John 8:12
John 9:1
John 12:36
John 12:46
Acts 5:15
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