Page 10 - The Gospel of John - Student textbook

truth is often pictured as light. When someone gains wisdom, we say he or she has been "enlightened."
Likewise, light is also pictured as life in literature.

The thrust of this verse, then, is not that the darkness failed to understand the truth about Jesus; (NIV
comprehend it) on the contrary, the forces of darkness know him all too well. (Matthew 8:29; Mark 1:34; Luke
4:41) The emphasis is upon the eventual defeat of Satan and his forces. This reality is witnessed by Calvary's
cross. Similarly, unbelievers are eternally lost not because they do not know the truth, but because they reject it.
(Romans 1:18 – 21) (See also 3:20-21) (McArthur’s comments)

However, Raymond Brown writes in The Anchor Yale Bible Commentary that the Greek is hard to translate in
this passage. He gives us for tendencies among translators. (A) To grasp, to comprehend (B) to welcome,
received, accept, appreciate (C) to overtake, overcome, the light has not been overcome (D) to master. Various
translators attempt to capture the two primary meanings, to “understand” and “overcome.”

Overview of John Chapters 13-21

2.4 Let’s Practice…

1-3. What are the three evidences that demonstrate that Jesus is God?

4. Where was the birthplace of the concept of “the word or Logos?”

5. The Word is a person. When did the Word come into being according to verse 1?

6. Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2 emphasis what activity of Jesus Christ?

7. Why cannot light and life be separated when describing Jesus Christ?

8. That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcomeit. What aren’t the “forces of

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darkness” able to overcome the light?

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