6th January 2022 – John 1:5

The second section of the Prologue begins here, and now John introduces us to a mystery. This light of which he has been speaking shines in darkness. The 'darkness' was not made by Him, but it is there, and the light has to contend with it. This is the first indication by John of a conflict and antagonism present in the created order, and the implications here are considerable. For John's words assume some kind of cosmic tragedy by which darkness has become a factor in the human situation. He implies therefore, or assumes that his readers knew about, the fall of man as a coming of darkness into the world that necessitated the coming of Christ into the world as God incarnate. Maclaren says: 'John takes 'the Fall' for granted, and in 5 describes the whole condition of things, both within and beyond the region of special revelation. The shining of the light is continuous, but the darkness is obstinate. It is the tragedy and crime of the world that the darkness will not have the light. It is the longsuffering mercy of God that the light repelled is not extinguished, but shines meekly on.' Such is John's summary indication of the fact of unbelief. The word 'comprehended' has an ambiguity of meaning that may perhaps be intentional on John's part. The literal meaning is 'to take down under', and this can give the sense of either 'to take right into the mind', or to apprehend or understand and receive, or 'to take under control', that is, to overcome. Here, then, are two opposite meanings, but it is the subtlety of John's writing that both are equally true. To apprehend light is to be enlightened by it, to overcome light is to put it out. And John is saying that although the darkness refuses the light and will not receive it, it is not thereby overcome and put out. It shines on.