Page 10 - Lessons from The Gospel of John 1:1-5

for mankind. Jesus will proclaim Himself as "the Light of the world" in
John 8:12.

Cross-Reference Verse 4

John 3:19 And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but
men loved the darkness rather than the Light, because their deeds were
evil.

John 5:26 For as the Father has life in Himself, so also He has granted
the Son to have life in Himself.

John 8:12 Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, "I am the light

of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will
have the light of life."

5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

John 1:5 Jesus' light came during a dark time, according to verse 5. Sadly,

mankind didn't respond very well. The second phrase of this verse is
sometimes translated as "the darkness did not overcome it," or "the
darkness did not comprehend it." The original Greek word is katalmbano,
which can mean "acquire," "grasp," or "lay hold of." Since light is

associated with knowledge, this in part means that Jesus was not (is not)
understood by the world. Many people who reject the gospel do so
because they misunderstand it. This inability to see Jesus for what He truly

is has more to do with a person's stubbornness than with their intellect
(John 7:17). The evidence is there, but those who prefer darkness will not
see it for what it is. This also has a sense of "seizing," as in taking
possession. Of course, the world would physically "grasp" the person of

Jesus (John 19:18), but it could not overcome the Messiah (John 19:19–
20).