Episode 5 - The Light Shines in the Darkness

John 1:5

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

I’ve had the privilege of going on 10-day backpacking adventures with each of my sons at Philmont Scout Ranch in the Sangre de Christo range of the Rocky Mountains. There are a number of rules that every backpacker must know and follow for the purpose of safety. One of those rules is “No hiking while it’s dark.” Why? One reason is that you might fall down a mountain or go somewhere where it might be difficult for others to locate you and to direct help. Another reason is that it could be easier to inadvertently encounter dangerous wildlife such as bears or lions. The bottom line is that it’s dangerous to journey in darkness.

Conversely, having good light available means that our path is illuminated and we can more easily chart our course. The added benefit is that we can see the beauty of what is around us. When it comes to physical light, we understand that it’s good and we enjoy its benefits.

The creation of light in Genesis, chapter one is the first step in a solution to the problem of “darkness” and the chaotic condition of the earth mentioned in verse two of Genesis. 

John 1:5 however does not appear to be talking about physical light. What does John mean by “the light shines in the darkness” when he has already established that his subject is “the Word” which is the God who created all things and in whom is life and is the light of mankind? It should be obvious that John, having turned the minds of his audience to the Creation story of Genesis 1, is using light as a metaphor for some quality or ability of the Word to illuminate something else for mankind. Perhaps it is “truth.” 

If the “light shines in the darkness,” then “darkness,” borrowing from the Creation story, represents chaos among mankind. The chaos in the darkness should be understood as mankind’s condition in which they cannot journey through life safely without this light. It also means that they cannot enjoy the beauty that surrounds them. We need God’s light to illuminate our way in life. When God’s light is shining in our darkness, we can then see the beauty of God and what He is doing. We need to know Who God is and what He is like. We need a clear revelation of God. It would seem that the point here is that John is telling us that the Word is that revelation.

But, that’s not all. John then says that the “darkness has not overcome it (the light).” In the original language, the word that is translated “overcome” could also mean “understood.” So, what is it? Has the darkness not overcome the light or has the darkness not understood the light? Bible scholars will tell you that it’s not reasonable or safe to look up every possible meaning of a word or phrase and interpret it to mean all of the above. But, as we’ll see in the Gospel of John, the author clearly intends some “double-entendre.” That is he wants his audience to ponder both meanings. I believe that is happening here. As John unfolds his story, we’ll see that many people will not truly understand “the light.” We will also see that the darkness will not overcome the light. We’ll see how darkness not only represents a lack of understanding but also evil. 

As for right now, take comfort in knowing that God has revealed himself to mankind. God wants people to walk safely in the light and to enjoy His beauty.

Episode 4 - In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind

By now it should be obvious that one of my goals is for you to see the strong association John is making between “the Word” and the God spoken of in Genesis 1 who created the spheres of life and the plant, animal, and human life within them as well as everything necessary to sustain that physical life.

One of the important things for life to exist is light. For example, light is required for photosynthesis to occur. Photosynthesis is the way green plants make food. In the beginning, according to Genesis 1:2, the universe was dark and chaotic with no apparent life forms at all apart from God.

The first thing God does is to create light. Then, He separates the light from the darkness and calls the light “good.” What does that indicate about the darkness?

So, as we continue reading this introduction, John says, “In him was life . . .” Genesis 1 says that God was the one who possessed and gave life. John 1 draws another connection of the Word to the Creator, life-giving God of Genesis 1. The focus in Genesis 1 is clearly more on the creation of life itself. The Greek word used in John 1:4 for life certainly is often intended to speak of life itself. But, it can also be translated as the sustenance of life. As we continue through John, ask yourself if John is also demonstrating the Word as one that sustains life.

John’s thoughts concerning the Word expands quickly to say that “the life (in the Word) was the light of men/mankind.” He says more about the light in the following verse. But, stop here and write some of your own thoughts on why John says this. Why is this important? Why is it important for the Word which has life be light for mankind?

Episode 3 - Not one thing that has been made was made apart from him

John 1:3 - All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. (ESV)

In verses 1-2 we see that the focus is upon “the Word.” There is an indication that this Word is more than just something that communicates a message. There appears to be personality or “being” associated with this Word when John says “the Word was with God.” 

The Greek text of verse two speaks of the Word in the 3rd person, masculine singular “He.” That association continues in verse three and after. “All things were made through him . . “ (the Word). 

Having established that the Word is a being which contains the divine qualities of God, John tells us something here that continues a theme begun in the first three words of this book; a Creation theme. 

I encouraged you to read the first chapter of Genesis. Did you do that? What’s it about? It’s about a God that created the universe, right? The first verse of Genesis establishes that a god is already existing in the beginning of time as we know it. The first verse of John is making a similar statement about the Word. Some scholars have suggested that what is happening in the Creation account of Genesis is that the author is writing an apologetic argument against other creation stories such as that of Egypt’s. (Research Egyptian god “Atum” for comparison) The idea here is that the author of Genesis (the Bible and tradition hold that the author is the Biblical prophet Moses) is saying that the God for which he is giving an account did not create himself as did the Egyptian god Atum. God already existed. Now . . .how does carry that idea forward with the Word? He writes “All things were made through him . . .” All things? Yes, John clarifies, “without him was not anything made that was made.” 

Literally, the Greek text makes a strong emphasis “not one thing” that was made was made without him. This is an important emphasis when considering teaching that arose in the 3rd-4th centuries A.D. and continues to be manifest in the present day. More on that later.

So, what is being repeated or emphasized in this one verse? In the English translation above its the word “made” (or created). The root Greek verb transliterated is “ginomai.” This word will be used many times within the Prologue ( first eighteen verses). I’ll point them out as we go along. The point is that there is an emphasis here which makes a thematic connection of “Creation” from Genesis 1. 

I might also point out that another repetition in the first two verses was the “to be” verb translated “was”. Perhaps I’m reaching too far in my thematic associations here between John and Moses. But, in Exodus 3:14, also attributed to Moses, we read of the account of God speaking to Moses from a burning bush and giving Moses a charge to deliver the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. Moses requests to know the name of this god speaking to HIm. The reply identifies himself as “I am”. Could it be that John, by the use of repetition of the “to be” verb is wanting his reader to make the connection of the Word with the God who created the universe AND revealed Himself to Moses in the burning bush?

Episode 2 - John 1:1-2 "In the beginning was the Word . . . "

Take a look at the highlighting or marked-up text of the first two verses of John’s gospel shown below. The purpose is to demonstrate the repetition that occurs within these first two verses. What is the purpose of repetition in any form of communication? It is to emphasize something the communicator considers important, isn’t it? What do you think John wants to emphasize to his audience? The focus is on “the Word.” I would encourage you to write out ideas you have about the repetition in this text and what the author is wanting to communicate to his audience. Here are some questions and points for your consideration concerning this text.

What does the author mean “In the beginning . .  ?” (Hint: Read Genesis 1 at the beginning of your Bible)

What or who is in that beginning? Does that have an implication for the identity of “the Word?”

What is a “word?” The Greek term used here is the word “logos.” How might people of John’s day understood what John was suggesting by placing “the Word” in the beginning?

If you’ve read the first chapter of Genesis, you understand that it is a story of God creating the universe, the earth, and the life forms within it. How does Genesis account for how God accomplishes this great feat? Do you see a connection with that and “the Word?”

Episode 1 - Preliminary Info on the Gospel of John - Read this first

• There are four books called “Gospels” in the New Testament or Christian Scriptures: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

• These books give accounts for the birth of a man known as Jesus of Nazareth; often referred to in the Christian Scriptures as Jesus Christ. He lived nearly 2000 years ago.

• Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called the “synoptic gospels” because they contain a lot of the same or similar information. It can be challenging, but rewarding seeking to understand what events are the same events recorded more than one of these books or what events may be different, but similar. John’s gospel has some events in the life of Jesus that are recorded only in this book. This book simply has a “different feel” to it than the other three Gospels.

• Critics in the 19th century into the early 20th century questioned the tradition that this was authored by a close ally of Jesus; arguing that it was produced a few hundred years after Jesus walked the earth. However, during the 20th century, an old fragment (Papyrus 52) was discovered that was dated in the early to mid second-century AD that lends evidence in this book that supports the earlier dating of John’s Gospel. Some church groups excluded this book from their worship and teaching as part of the Biblical Canon and have continued the practice; perhaps ignorant of the later evidence supporting the more ancient tradition. I view the accounts in this book as authentically from John the Apostle. There is continuity from the author’s opening statements in his introduction through the book that support his explicitly stated purpose for writing this book.

• The differences in the various gospel accounts often lend themselves to the themes and theology that is being emphasized by each respective author.

• There are two men of significance associated with Jesus named John. One was a fisherman by trade. He is the man to whom this book is attributed even though the author does not directly identify himself as John. The internal evidence within the book points to this man, who was a close friend of Jesus, as the author. The other man is known as John the Baptist.

• Before you begin the actual study, I would recommend that you read the very first chapter in the very first book of the Bible; the book entitled Genesis. John begins his book by drawing his readers' thoughts to the opening words of Genesis and the theme of Genesis chapter one will be a strong theme in John’s gospel.

• My other advice would be to write notes for yourself. Email questions to me and I’ll try to get back soon.

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