 | The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. |
 | And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. |
In the opening verses of John's Gospel, the Apostle has taught us that Jesus Christ is eternal and divine (vv. 1-2), He has created all things (v. 3), and He is the source of all life (v. 4). Now, the writer goes on to make a comment or two about Christian salvation. In verse 4, John described how Jesus "was the light of men." Now in verse 5, he says that while Jesus' light shines in the darkness, the darkness has not understood it.
"The darkness" here is another way of saying "those who are not Christians." If the only light of men is found in Jesus Christ, then there is no way to escape darkness without Him.
While other religions and philosophies may have a lot to offer, they cannot offer the light that leads to salvation; that is only offered through the Son of God. And, because of the simplicity of that, those who are not Christians cannot understand it apart from the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit (John 3:6-8; Titus 3:5-7).
Jeremy Cagle, Pastor
Middletown Bible Church, Middletown, IL www.justthesimpletruth.com