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NASB | John 1:5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 1:5 The Light shines on in the darkness, and the darkness did not understand it or overpower it or appropriate it or absorb it [and is unreceptive to it]. [Gen 1:3] |
Bible Question: what does the darkness refer to? |
Bible Answer: Dear giggle143. Darkness in John 1:5 refers to the following from the Bible Dictionary listed: Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology "Darkness" in both the Old Testament (Heb. hasak [J;v'j]) and New Testament (Gk.skotos [skovto"]) is an evocative word. If light symbolizes God, darkness connotes everything that is anti-God: the wicked (Prov 2:13-14; 1 Thess 5:4-7), judgment (Exod 10:21; Matt 25:30), and death (Psalm 88:12). Salvation brings light to those in darkness (Isa 9:2). Although darkness is opaque to man, it is transparent to God (Psalm 139:12). Indeed, God can veil himself in darkness at moments of great revelation (Deut 4:11; 5:23; Psalm 18:11). God Rules the Darkness. The biblical view of darkness and light offers a unique contrast. There is no thought that darkness is equal in power to God's light. The absolute, sovereign God rules over the darkness and the powers of evil. This is evident in several ways. First, God knows the darkness. He knows where it is (Job 34:22) and what it contains (Dan 2:22). Second, God rules over the darkness because he created it (Isa 45:7; cf. Amos 4:13; 5:8). Third, God uses the darkness for his own purposes: to hide himself from the sight of men (Psalm 18:11; 1 Kings 8:12) and to bring his judgment on evildoers (Deut 28:28-29; Matt 8:12; 22:13), evil nations (Eze 30:18-19), and false prophets (Jer 23:12; Micah 3:6; Rev 16:10). Finally, God rules over the darkness eschatologically. The time of God's ultimate judgment, the day of the Lord, is portrayed in both the Old Testament and New Testament as a day of darkness (Joel 2:2; Amos 5:18, 20; Zeph 1:15; Matt 24:29; Rev 6:12-17). In addition, the wording, "and the darkness did not comprehend it", means that the darkness could not overpower it. John 1:5 (Amplified) And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it [put it out or absorbed it or appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it]. I hope this helps. TLAVISTA |
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Questions and/or Subjects for John 1:5 | Author | ||
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bomisty | ||
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toyeledu | ||
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giggle143 | ||
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TLAVISTA | ||
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Val | ||
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Tamara Brewington | ||
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Mom of 4 |