SEV Biblia, Chapter 1:5
¶ Y la luz en las tinieblas resplandece; mas las tinieblas no la comprendieron.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - John 1:5
Verse 5. And the light shineth in darkness] By darkness here may be understood: 1. The heathen world, Eph. v. 8. 2. The Jewish people. 3. The fallen spirit of man.
Comprehended it not.] auto ou katelaben, Prevented it not- hindered it not, says Mr. Wakefield, who adds the following judicious note:-"Even in the midst of that darkness of ignorance and idolatry which overspread the world, this light of Divine wisdom was not totally eclipsed: the Jewish nation was a lamp perpetually shining to the surrounding nations; and many bright luminaries, among the heathen, were never wanting in just and worthy notions of the attributes and providence of God's wisdom; which enabled them to shine in some degree, though but as lights in a dark place, 2 Pet. i. 19. Compare Acts xiv. 17; xvii. 28, 29."
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 5. And the light shineth in darkness , etc.] Which, through sin, came upon the minds of men; who are naturally in the dark about the nature and perfections of God; about sin, and the consequences of it; about Christ, and salvation by him; about the Spirit of God, and his work upon the soul; and about the Scriptures of truth, and the doctrines of the Gospel. Man was created a knowing creature, but, not content with his knowledge, sins, and is banished from the presence of God, the fountain of light; which brought a darkness on him, and his posterity, and which is increased in them by personal iniquity, and in which Satan, the god of this world, has an hand; and sometimes they are left to judicial blindness, and which issues in worse darkness, if grace prevents not: now amidst this darkness there were some remains of the light of nature: with respect to the being of God, which shines in the works of creation and providence and to the worship of God, though very dimly; and to the knowledge of moral good and evil: and the darkness comprehended it not ; or “perceived it not”; as the Syriac version renders it. By the light of nature, and the remains of it, men could not come to any clear and distinct knowledge of the above things; and much less to any knowledge of the true way of salvation: unless, rather by the light should be meant, the light of the Messiah, or of the Gospel shining in the figures, types, and shadows of the law, and in the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament: and yet, such was the darkness upon the minds of men, that they could not very distinctly apprehend it, and much less fully comprehend it, so that there was need of a fresh and fuller revelation; an account of which follows; Ver. 6. There was a man sent from God , etc.] John the Baptist: he was not the Logos, or word; nor was he an angel, but a man; yet an extraordinary one, in his conception of a barren woman, and in being born when both parents were stricken in years; and whilst he was in the womb, he leaped for joy at the salutation of Mary; and as soon as born was filled with the Holy Ghost; and when he was grown up, and appeared in public, it was in an uncommon manner: his dress and his diet were both out of the common way; and his temper and spirit were that of Elias the prophet; and as for his work and office, it was very peculiar; he was the forerunner of Christ, and the first administrator of the new ordinance of baptism, and the greatest of all the prophets: this person had his mission from God, both to preach and baptize: whose name was John ; the name given him by the angel before his conception, and by his mother Elisabeth, after her neighbours and cousins had given him another; and which was confirmed by his father Zacharias, when deaf and dumb: it signifies grace, or gracious; and a gracious man he was; he was very acceptable to his parents; a man that had the grace of God in him, and great gifts of grace bestowed on him; he was a preacher of the doctrines of grace; and his ministry was very grateful to many.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-5 - The plainest reason why the Son of God is called the Word, seems to be that as our words explain our minds to others, so was the Son of God sent in order to reveal his Father's mind to the world. What the evangelist says of Christ proves that he is God. He asserts, Hi existence in the beginning; His coexistence with the Father. The Wor was with God. All things were made by him, and not as an instrument Without him was not any thing made that was made, from the highes angel to the meanest worm. This shows how well qualified he was for the work of our redemption and salvation. The light of reason, as well a the life of sense, is derived from him, and depends upon him. Thi eternal Word, this true Light shines, but the darkness comprehends is not. Let us pray without ceasing, that our eyes may be opened to behol this Light, that we may walk in it; and thus be made wise unt salvation, by faith in Jesus Christ.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ το 3588 T-NSN φως 5457 N-NSN εν 1722 PREP τη 3588 T-DSF σκοτια 4653 N-DSF φαινει 5316 5719 V-PAI-3S και 2532 CONJ η 3588 T-NSF σκοτια 4653 N-NSF αυτο 846 P-ASN ου 3756 PRT-N κατελαβεν 2638 5627 V-2AAI-3S
