John 1:5 kjv

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

John 1:5 nkjv

And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

John 1:5 niv

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:5 esv

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:5 nlt

The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it.

John 1 verses

John 1 5 Meaning

John 1:5 proclaims that the divine Light continually manifests its presence in a world characterized by spiritual darkness. This darkness, representing sin, ignorance, and rebellion against God, despite its pervasive nature, has utterly failed to comprehend, grasp, or overcome this Light. The verse establishes the Light's active nature and invincibility against all forces of ungodliness and human rebellion.

John 1 5 Context

John 1:5 is situated within the Johannine prologue (John 1:1-18), a profound theological statement introducing Jesus Christ as the pre-existent, divine Logos, or Word of God. Verses 1-3 establish the Word's deity, pre-existence, and role in creation. Verse 4 connects the Word to life, which then becomes the "light of men." Thus, verse 5 serves as the initial, critical articulation of the inherent conflict between this divine Light and the opposing spiritual darkness in the world. This sets the stage for the Gospel's narrative of Jesus's mission—to shine His light into the world, which largely rejects Him but cannot ultimately extinguish Him. The passage is part of a deliberate theological framework contrasting Christ (Light, Life, Truth) with the world (Darkness, Death, Falsehood), a recurring dualism in John's Gospel that highlights the stark choice humanity faces. Historically, this prologue also subtly pushes back against burgeoning philosophical ideas that either separated God from the material world or presented other paths to spiritual enlightenment apart from a specific, divine Person.

John 1 5 Word analysis

• The Light (ho phōs - ὁ φῶς): Refers not to physical light, but primarily to spiritual and divine light. This is Christ, the eternal Logos, as the source of all truth, revelation, moral goodness, and divine life. It signifies God's own character revealed to humanity.
• shines (phainei - φαίνει): Present tense. Denotes continuous, ongoing action. The Light is not merely present but actively manifesting itself, making itself visible and comprehensible. It is an enduring and persistent reality.
• in the darkness (en tē skotia - ἐν τῇ σκοτίᾳ): "Darkness" signifies more than merely an absence of light; it represents spiritual blindness, moral depravity, ignorance of God, the dominion of evil, and the fallen state of humanity apart from God. It is an active opposition to God's truth.
• and the darkness (kai hē skotia - καὶ ἡ σκοτία): Reiteration emphasizing the nature and persistence of this spiritual opposition.
• has not overcome it (ou katelaben auto - οὐ κατέλαβεν αὐτό): This is a pivotal phrase with a crucial double meaning from the Greek verb katalambanō (καταλαμβάνω):
  • "did not comprehend/grasp it": The darkness, representing a fallen humanity blinded by sin, failed to understand, receive, or recognize the true nature of the Light, despite its clear manifestation. It signifies intellectual and spiritual inability or rejection.
  • "did not extinguish/overpower it": The forces of evil, represented by darkness, were unable to conquer, quench, put out, or overpower the Light. The Light's divine nature is invulnerable to the forces arrayed against it.
• Word-group Analysis:
  • "The Light shines in the darkness": This phrase immediately establishes an inherent cosmic and spiritual conflict. The Light is active, intruding into the realm of darkness, rather than merely existing in isolation. It portrays an active mission and presence.
  • "and the darkness has not overcome it": This is the verdict and the triumph. Despite the active presence and opposition of darkness, it is ultimately ineffective. The Light is superior and undefeated, eternally dominant.

John 1 5 Bonus section

The passive yet hostile nature of "darkness" against the active, radiant "Light" is a significant motif in John. Darkness does not attack the light directly as much as it recoils from it or fails to absorb it. This highlights that darkness's failure is an inherent inability rather than a result of overwhelming power from the Light. The Light simply is, and its nature fundamentally prohibits coexistence with darkness in itself. This sets up the challenge presented throughout John's Gospel for individuals to choose to come into the Light (John 3:19-21) rather than remaining in condemnation. The very existence of the Light necessitates a moral and spiritual choice.

John 1 5 Commentary

John 1:5 encapsulates a foundational truth: the divine presence and revelation of God, embodied in Christ, continually enters and illuminates a world steeped in sin and ignorance. This Light is persistent and active, constantly shining. Crucially, the verse asserts the utter failure of darkness—the collective forces of evil, unbelief, and moral depravity—to either comprehend the Light's true nature or to extinguish its power. The Light cannot be intellectually grasped by a mind unwilling to see, nor can it be conquered by any opposing force. It reveals God's unyielding sovereignty and Christ's inherent invincibility. It is a declaration of victory even before the Incarnation fully unfolds, laying the groundwork for understanding Jesus' mission and ultimate triumph over death and sin. For instance, just as a single candle displaces an entire room of darkness without effort, so Christ's inherent brilliance overcomes the spiritual gloom.