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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 1:5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/1-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/43_Jhn_01_05.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 1:5 - The Beginning" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/john/1-5.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/john/1-5.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/john/">John</a> > <a href="/john/1.htm">Chapter 1</a> > Verse 5</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/john/1-4.htm" title="John 1:4">◄</a> John 1:5 <a href="/john/1-6.htm" title="John 1:6">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comment </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/john/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/john/1.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/john/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/john/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/john/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/john/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/john/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/john/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not grasp it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/john/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/john/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/john/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/john/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The Light shines on in the darkness, and the darkness did not understand it <i>or</i> overpower it <i>or</i> appropriate it <i>or</i> absorb it [and is unreceptive to it].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/john/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/john/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/john/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/john/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The light keeps shining in the dark, and darkness has never put it out. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/john/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/john/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The light shines in the dark, and the dark has never extinguished it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/john/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/john/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />And the light shines on in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/john/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/john/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />And the light shines on in the darkness, but the darkness has not mastered it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/john/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn't overcome it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/john/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overpowered it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/john/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn’t overcome it. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/john/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and the light shined in the darkness, and the darkness did not perceive it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/john/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and the light in the darkness did shine, and the darkness did not perceive it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/john/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And light shines in darkness; and darkness comprehended it not.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/john/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/john/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/john/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/john/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/john/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the same light shines in the darkness, and the darkness does not overcome it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/1.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And The Light is shining in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/john/1.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness comprehends it not.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/john/1.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />And the light shineth in the darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/john/1.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness did not comprehend it.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/john/1.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />and the Light shineth in darkness, but the darkness did not receive it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overpowered it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/john/1.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />And the light shines in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/john/1.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness attained it not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/john/1-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=22" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/john/1.htm">The Beginning</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">4</span>In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-NNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">The</a> <a href="/greek/5457.htm" title="5457: phōs (N-NNS) -- Light, a source of light, radiance. From an obsolete phao; luminousness.">Light</a> <a href="/greek/5316.htm" title="5316: phainei (V-PIA-3S) -- Prolongation for the base of phos; to lighten, i.e. Show.">shines</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tē (Art-DFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/4653.htm" title="4653: skotia (N-DFS) -- Darkness; fig: spiritual darkness. From skotos; dimness, obscurity.">darkness,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/4653.htm" title="4653: skotia (N-NFS) -- Darkness; fig: spiritual darkness. From skotos; dimness, obscurity.">darkness</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ou (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">has not</a> <a href="/greek/2638.htm" title="2638: katelaben (V-AIA-3S) -- From kata and lambano; to take eagerly, i.e. Seize, possess, etc.">overcome</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auto (PPro-AN3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">it.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">6</span>There came a man who was sent from God. His name was John.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/1-3.htm">Genesis 1:3-4</a></span><br />And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. / And God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/9-2.htm">Isaiah 9:2</a></span><br />The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/4-6.htm">2 Corinthians 4:6</a></span><br />For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-8.htm">Ephesians 5:8</a></span><br />For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/1-5.htm">1 John 1:5</a></span><br />And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/3-19.htm">John 3:19-21</a></span><br />And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil. / Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. / But whoever practices the truth comes into the Light, so that it may be seen clearly that what he has done has been accomplished in God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/4-16.htm">Matthew 4:16</a></span><br />the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/2-8.htm">1 John 2:8-11</a></span><br />Then again, I am also writing to you a new commandment, which is true in Him and also in you. For the darkness is fading and the true light is already shining. / If anyone claims to be in the light but hates his brother, he is still in the darkness. / Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no cause of stumbling in him. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/27-1.htm">Psalm 27:1</a></span><br />Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/1-13.htm">Colossians 1:13</a></span><br />He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-12.htm">John 8:12</a></span><br />Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/60-1.htm">Isaiah 60:1-3</a></span><br />Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. / For behold, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you, and His glory will appear over you. / Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/5-5.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:5</a></span><br />For you are all sons of the light and sons of the day; we do not belong to the night or to the darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/4-18.htm">Proverbs 4:18-19</a></span><br />The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday. / But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-35.htm">John 12:35-36</a></span><br />Then Jesus told them, “For a little while longer, the Light will be among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. / While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of light.” After Jesus had spoken these things, He went away and was hidden from them.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/1-10.htm">John 1:10</a></b></br> He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/3-19.htm">John 3:19,20</a></b></br> And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/12-36.htm">John 12:36-40</a></b></br> While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/13-26.htm">Appears</a> <a href="/philippians/3-13.htm">Apprehended</a> <a href="/luke/18-34.htm">Comprehend</a> <a href="/matthew/16-12.htm">Comprehended</a> <a href="/luke/23-44.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/luke/23-44.htm">Darkness</a> <a href="/luke/22-22.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/malachi/2-10.htm">Hasn't</a> <a href="/luke/23-45.htm">Light</a> <a href="/luke/19-41.htm">Overcome</a> <a href="/jeremiah/20-7.htm">Overpowered</a> <a href="/luke/12-55.htm">Perceive</a> <a href="/luke/17-24.htm">Shine</a> <a href="/luke/17-24.htm">Shines</a> <a href="/luke/17-24.htm">Shineth</a> <a href="/luke/24-4.htm">Shining</a> <a href="/luke/20-19.htm">Understood</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/7-27.htm">Appears</a> <a href="/acts/12-4.htm">Apprehended</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-18.htm">Comprehend</a> <a href="/romans/13-9.htm">Comprehended</a> <a href="/john/3-19.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/john/3-19.htm">Darkness</a> <a href="/john/3-8.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/john/7-42.htm">Hasn't</a> <a href="/john/1-7.htm">Light</a> <a href="/john/16-33.htm">Overcome</a> <a href="/acts/19-16.htm">Overpowered</a> <a href="/john/4-19.htm">Perceive</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/4-4.htm">Shine</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-13.htm">Shines</a> <a href="/john/5-35.htm">Shineth</a> <a href="/john/5-35.htm">Shining</a> <a href="/john/8-27.htm">Understood</a><div class="vheading2">John 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/1-1.htm">The divinity, humanity, office, and incarnation of Jesus Christ.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/1-15.htm">The testimony of John.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">39. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/1-39.htm">The calling of Simon and Andrew, Philip and Nathanael</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/john/1.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>The Light</b><br />In the context of <a href="/john/1-5.htm">John 1:5</a>, "The Light" refers to Jesus Christ, who is the embodiment of divine truth and holiness. The Greek word for "light" is "phōs," which signifies not only physical light but also spiritual illumination and purity. In the biblical narrative, light is often associated with God's presence and revelation. <a href="/genesis/1-3.htm">Genesis 1:3</a>, where God commands, "Let there be light," marks the beginning of creation, symbolizing order and life. Similarly, Jesus, as "The Light," brings spiritual life and order to a world darkened by sin.<p><b>shines</b><br />The verb "shines" is derived from the Greek word "phainei," which means to appear or become visible. This continuous action indicates that the presence of Christ is ongoing and active. The light of Christ is not a past event but a present reality, constantly illuminating the hearts and minds of believers. This shining is not passive; it is a dynamic force that penetrates the darkness, offering hope and guidance.<p><b>in the darkness</b><br />"Darkness" in this verse is translated from the Greek word "skotia," which represents not just the absence of light but also moral and spiritual ignorance and evil. Throughout Scripture, darkness is often used metaphorically to describe the state of the world apart from God. In the historical context of John's Gospel, the world was under Roman rule, characterized by moral decay and spiritual blindness. The darkness symbolizes the pervasive sin and separation from God that humanity experiences.<p><b>and the darkness has not overcome it</b><br />The phrase "has not overcome it" comes from the Greek "katalambanō," which can mean to seize, grasp, or overpower. This suggests a struggle between light and darkness, where darkness attempts to extinguish the light but fails. Theologically, this is a profound statement of Christ's victory over sin and evil. Despite the world's attempts to suppress or reject the light, it remains undefeated. This assurance is a cornerstone of Christian faith, affirming that no matter how pervasive evil seems, it cannot conquer the light of Christ.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) <span class= "bld">And the light shineth in darkness.</span>--The vision of brightness is present but for a moment, and passes away before the black reality of the history of mankind. The description of Paradise occupies but a few verses of the Old Testament. The outer darkness casts its gloom on every page. But in the moral chaos, too, God said, "Let there be light; and there was light." The first struggle of light into and through darkness until the darkness received it, rolled back before it, passed away into it--the repeated comprehension of light by darkness, as in the dawn of every morning the night passes into day, and the earth now shrouded in blackness is now bathed in the clear white light of an Eastern sun--this has its counterpart in the moral world. There, too, the Sun of Righteousness has shone, is ever shining; but as the Apostle looks back on the history of the pre-Christian world, or, it may be, looks back on the earthly ministry of Christ Himself, he seeks in vain for the victory of truth, for the hearts of nations, or of men, penetrated through and through with heaven's light, and he sums up the whole in one sad negation, "The darkness comprehended it not." Yet in this very sadness there is firm and hopeful faith. The emphatic present declares that the light still, always, "shineth in darkness." True are those words of patriarch, lawgiver, prophet, as they followed the voice which called, or received God's law for men, or told forth the word which came to them from Him; true are they of every poet, thinker, statesman, who has grasped some higher truth, or chased some lurking doubt, or taught a nation noble deeds; true are they of every evangelist, martyr, philanthropist, who has carried the light of the gospel to the heart of men, who has in life or death witnessed to its truth, who has shown its power in deeds of mercy and of love; true are they of the humblest Christian who seeks to walk in the light, and from the sick-chamber of the lowliest home may be letting a light shine before men which leads them to glorify the Father which is in heaven. The Light is ever shining, ofttimes, indeed, coloured as it passes through the differing minds of different men, and meeting us across the space that separates continents, and the time that separates ages, in widely varying hues; but these shades pass into each other, and in the harmony of all is the pure light of truth.<p><span class= "bld">Comprehended it not.</span>--The meaning of this word differs from that rendered "knew not" in <a href="/john/1-10.htm" title="He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.">John 1:10</a>. The thought here is that the darkness did not lay hold of, did not appropriate the light, so as itself to become light; the thought there is that individuals did not recognise it. Comp. Notes on <a href="/romans/9-30.htm" title="What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.">Romans 9:30</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/9-24.htm" title="Know you not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain.">1Corinthians 9:24</a>; <a href="/context/philippians/3-12.htm" title="Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.">Philippians 3:12-13</a>, where the same Greek word occurs. See also <a href="/ephesians/3-18.htm" title="May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;">Ephesians 3:18</a>, which is the only passage in the New Testament, besides the present one, where the word is rendered by "comprehend." . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 5.</span> - <p><span class="note_emph">(3)</span> <span class="accented">The antagonism between light and darkness.</span> The highest manifestation and proof of the following statement will be found in that great entrance of the Eternal Logos into human life which will shed the most complete ray of Divine light upon men; but before that great event, during its occurrence, and ever since, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> throughout all times and nations, <span class="cmt_word">the light shineth in the darkness.</span> Many expositors, like Godet, after long wavering and pondering, resolve this expression into a distinct epitome of the effect of the Incarnation, the highest manifestation of the light in the theanthropic life, and hesitate to see any reference to the shining of the light upon the darkness of humanity or of the heathen world. They do this on the ground that there is no confirmation or illustration of this idea in John's Gospel. However, let the following parallels and expositions of this thought be considered. Our Lord discriminates between those who "hate the light" and "those who do the truth and come to the light" (<a href="/john/3-21.htm">John 3:21</a>). He delights in those whom the Father has given to him, and who come to him (<a href="/john/6-37.htm">John 6:37</a>). He speaks of "other sheep which are not of this fold, who hear his voice" (<a href="/john/10-16.htm">John 10:16</a>). He tells Pilate that "every one who is of the truth heareth my voice "(<a href="/john/18-37.htm">John 18:37</a>). In solitary address to the Father (<a href="/john/17-6.htm">John 17:6</a>), he says, "Thine they were, and thou gavest them me." In all these passages abundant hint is given of a direct treatment of souls antecedent to, or rather irrespective of, the special grace of Christ's earthly manifestation. This passage, so far, in the wide embrace of its meaning, asserts that <span class="accented">the light</span> here taken as the effluence of the life itself, perpetually, forever, shineth (<span class="greek">φαίνει</span>, not; <span class="greek">φωτίζει</span>) - pours forth its radiance by its own essential necessity into the "darkness." "Darkness" and "light" are metaphors for moral conditions. Though there is a "light of men" which is the result of the meeting of man's capacity with Divine revelation, yet, for the most part, there is a terrible antagonism, a fearful negative, a veritable opposition to the light, a blinding of the eye of the soul to the clearest beam of heavenly wisdom, righteousness, and truth. Light has a battle to fight, both with the circumstances and the faculties of men. The ancient light which broke over the childhood of humanity, the brighter beams which fell on consciences irradiated and educated by a thousand ministries, the light which was focused in the incarnate Logos and diffused in all the "entrance of the Divine Word" into the heart of men, have all and always this solemn contingency to encounter - "The light shineth in the darkness." And the darkness apprehended it not. This word translated "apprehended" (<span class="greek">κατέλαβε</span>) has, in New Testament Greek, undoubtedly the sense of "laying hold with evil intent," "overtaking" (<a href="/john/12-35.htm">John 12:35</a>; <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-4.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:4</a>; <a href="/mark/9-18.htm">Mark 9:18</a>), "suppressing" (Lunge), "overcoming" (Westcott and Moulton); and a fine sense would arise from this passage if it means that, while the light shone into the darkness, it did not scatter it, but, on the other hand, neither did the darkness suppress or absorb and neutralize the light. Certainly the darkness was disastrous, tragical, prolonged, but <span class="accented">not</span> triumphant, even in the gloomiest moments of the pre-Incarnation period, even in the darkest hour and place of savage persecution, even in the time of outrage, superstitious impenetrability, or moral collapse. There are, however, two classes of difficulty in this interpretation. <p><span class="note_emph">(1)</span> <span class="greek">Καταλαμβάνω</span> is in LXX. used for <span class="hebrew">תִִשיב</span>, <span class="hebrew">לָכַר</span>, and <span class="hebrew">מָצָא</span>, and in many places in the New Testament has its ordinary classical sense, "lay hold of," "apprehend," "comprehend," "understand," "come to know," <span class="accented">intelligo</span>, and <span class="accented">cognosco</span> (<a href="/ephesians/3-18.htm">Ephesians 3:18</a>), though in this latter sense it is mostly used in the middle voice. <p><span class="note_emph">(2)</span> When the apostle, in greater detail and more immediate reference to the individual illustrations he gives of the relation of the darkness to the light, says in vers. 10, 11, <span class="greek">Ὁ κόσμος αὐτὸν οὐκ ἔγνω</span>, and <span class="greek">Οἱ</span> <span class="greek">ἴδιοι αὐτὸν οὐ παρέλαβον</span>; though slightly different words are used, yet the return upon the thought in these parallel sentences is too obvious to be overlooked. The nonsusceptibility of the darkness, the positive resistance it makes to the action of light, finds its strongest illustration in the more defined regions and narrower sphere of the coming of the Logos to the world, and in his special mission to his own people. In this view Alford, Bengel, Schaff, Godet, Luthardt, Tholuck, Meyer, Ewald, coincide, though the suggestion of Origen and Chrysostom, and in later years of Schulthess, Westcott, etc., has been powerfully urged. The broad, general fact is stated, not excluding the exceptions on which the evangelist himself afterwards enlarges. If the darkness had "apprehended" the light, it would no more be darkness. The melancholy fact is that the corruption in the world has been, for the most part, impervious to the light alike of nature, of life, of conscience, and even of revelation. Hence, says Bengel, "the occasion for the Incarnation." This is exaggeration, because the whole record of the incarnate Word is a continuous story of the resistance of the darkness to the light. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/john/1-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">The</span><br /><span class="grk">τὸ</span> <span class="translit">(to)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Light</span><br /><span class="grk">φῶς</span> <span class="translit">(phōs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5457.htm">Strong's 5457: </a> </span><span class="str2">Light, a source of light, radiance. From an obsolete phao; luminousness.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">shines</span><br /><span class="grk">φαίνει</span> <span class="translit">(phainei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5316.htm">Strong's 5316: </a> </span><span class="str2">Prolongation for the base of phos; to lighten, i.e. Show.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐν</span> <span class="translit">(en)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> </span><span class="str2">In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">τῇ</span> <span class="translit">(tē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Dative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">darkness,</span><br /><span class="grk">σκοτίᾳ</span> <span class="translit">(skotia)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4653.htm">Strong's 4653: </a> </span><span class="str2">Darkness; fig: spiritual darkness. From skotos; dimness, obscurity.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">ἡ</span> <span class="translit">(hē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">darkness</span><br /><span class="grk">σκοτία</span> <span class="translit">(skotia)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4653.htm">Strong's 4653: </a> </span><span class="str2">Darkness; fig: spiritual darkness. From skotos; dimness, obscurity.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">{has} not</span><br /><span class="grk">οὐ</span> <span class="translit">(ou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> </span><span class="str2">No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">overcome</span><br /><span class="grk">κατέλαβεν</span> <span class="translit">(katelaben)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2638.htm">Strong's 2638: </a> </span><span class="str2">From kata and lambano; to take eagerly, i.e. Seize, possess, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">it.</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτὸ</span> <span class="translit">(auto)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Neuter 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/1-5.htm">John 1:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/john/1-5.htm">John 1:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/john/1-5.htm">John 1:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/john/1-5.htm">John 1:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/john/1-5.htm">John 1:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/john/1-5.htm">John 1:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/1-5.htm">John 1:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/1-5.htm">John 1:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/john/1-5.htm">John 1:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/john/1-5.htm">John 1:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/john/1-5.htm">NT Gospels: John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/1-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 1:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 1:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/1-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 1:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 1:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>