John 1:5
What does John 1:5 mean?
A plain-English look at John 1:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 1:5 means
This verse illustrates the ongoing conflict between the divine light of the Word and the spiritual darkness of the world. The light shines continuously, offering truth and revelation, but the darkness actively resisted or failed to comprehend it. The term "apprehended" can imply both understanding and overcoming. Humanity, in its fallen state, either couldn't grasp the light or actively sought to suppress it, demonstrating the world’s spiritual blindness and opposition to God’s truth, yet the light persists.
John 1:5 in context
John 1 — The Word Made Flesh
John lifts the curtain higher than any other Gospel. Before there was a Bethlehem, there was the Word — with God, who was God, by whom all things were made. The same Word who was the agent of creation became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. John the Baptist points him out as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world; the first disciples follow him; Nathanael confesses him as the Son of God and King of Israel. The eternal becomes near enough to touch.
- Pre-existence of Christ
- Incarnation
- Light and life
- First disciples
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the light goes on shining in the dark; it is not overcome by the dark.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the light in the darkness did shine, and the darkness did not perceive it.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the light shineth in darkness: and the darkness did not comprehend it.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the light appears in darkness, and the darkness apprehended it not.
Context
Following the declaration that the Word is the source of life and light for humanity in verse 4, this verse immediately introduces the element of opposition. It highlights the stark reality of spiritual darkness in the world and its inability to extinguish or grasp the divine light. This contrast sets up the need for the Word's direct intervention, which will be further elaborated upon with the introduction of John the Baptist and the Word's incarnation.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 1:10
He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world knew him not.
- John 3:19
And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil.
- Proverbs 1:29
For that they hated knowledge, And did not choose the fear of Jehovah,
- 1 Corinthians 2:14
Now the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged.
- John 12:36
While ye have the light, believe on the light, that ye may become sons of light. These things spake Jesus, and he departed and hid himself from them.
- Proverbs 1:22
How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? And scoffers delight them in scoffing, And fools hate knowledge?
Sermon ideas from John 1:5
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What John 1:5 teaches us about pre-existence of christ
What John 1:5 teaches us about incarnation
What John 1:5 teaches us about light and life
What John 1:5 teaches us about first disciples
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