The keyword ‘Light’ in the gospel of John occurs 24 times within 16 verses . Looking at the structure of the book, John is mostly referred to as having two big sections sandwiched between the prologue (John 1:1-18) and the epilogue (John 21). The two big sections are as follow. The first section (John 1:19-12:50) is usually called the Book of Signs. Whereas the second section (John 13:1-20:31) is referred to as the Book of Glory (or Passion). The keyword ‘Light’ is traced to be found all of them within the epilogue and in the chapters that make up the Book of Signs, which records the public ministry of Jesus.
The gospel of John has a rather complex development of its theology of light, in which the keyword is used in a metaphorical sense than literal. The main usage and also the very first occurrences of the keyword in the epilogue typify the person and the work of Jesus. The author, who was said to have written the gospel for the Jewish audiences, presented the keyword to draw its meaning from the backdrop of Judaism. In the OT, ‘Light’ is often used as a symbolism for divine presence and salvation [Dictionary, pg. 472]. For examples, Ex 13:21; Ps 27:1; Is 60:19. More than often, the salvation is of the future eschatological salvation. For examples, Mic 7:8; Is 9:2; 60:1-3.
In the epilogue, John links the keywords ‘Word’, ‘Life’ and ‘Light’ tightly. John testified that he is not the light , rather that the Light is the Word incarnate in Jesus and “in him (Jesus) was life, and that life was the light of men” . Here, reading through the language of the OT, the evangelist implies that the expectation of Judaism is fulfilled in Jesus who brought salvation to mankind.
There are also other different usages or aspects of the Johannine theology of light.
Throughout the writing, John’s unique style is known to have introduced some contrasting ideas through the use of keywords such as ‘Light’ vs ‘Darkness’, ‘Life’ vs ‘Death’, ‘Belief’ vs ‘Unbelief’, etc. As far as the conflict is concerned, darkness will never overcome the light . Indeed, the light came to shine in and expose the darkness. In the Johannine theology, darkness can be understood as twofold [Dictionary, pg. 472]. The first is that it prevails before the light comes . And secondly, it descends on those who have refused the light and chosen to live in darkness instead . Hence, the second brings forth the idea of sin as people reject Christ. Nevertheless, there are also those who believe in the light who become the sons of light . Here, the idea expressed is that of faith, which involves trusting in the true Light that gives light to every man.
Continuing on the ideas of sin and faith that find their expressions in the Johannine’s theology of light, when Jesus, the Light of the world came, there will two responses to be exuded, whether one of the unbelief or belief in Him, that will in turn result in two final outcomes, whether the eternal death or life. Those who love darkness or do evil or hate the light will never come to the light and will automatically be exposed by the light . As a matter of fact, judgment is inevitable.
Ultimately, people who live by the truth are drawn to the true Light . As a result of receiving the light from Jesus, they walk by light as manifested in the life of those who follows the true Light .
As mentioned in the first place, that the main usage of the keyword ‘Light’ indeed points to the person and the work of Jesus. In the circumstances of the opposition of the Jews toward Jesus however, Jesus himself mentioned that “John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.” The way to understand this is tied to the role that John played in bringing the Jews to salvation, as a pointer to the true Light. John’s testimony which delivered the prospective message of the coming of a divine intervention on behalf of the Jews is a cause for rejoicing, but only for a while, as the Jews finally deserted John as well [Tasker, pg. 88].
Similar to the idea of John being the pointer to Christ is the fact that Jesus revealed or made God known through his word and deeds while he was on earth, “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world” . Just as he restored the physical blindness of a man born blind, at a deeper lever, his miraculous deed was a sign to the unbelieving Jews that only Jesus himself can restore their spiritual blindness that refused to believe him as the One sent by God. Moreover, as he continued to reveal God, and before the time came for him to lay down his life, nothing can harm Jesus (or God’s purpose), not even the plans of those who walked in the darkness by plotting his death.
In summary, the theology of light in the gospel of John carries an important weight in understanding the One to whom the Scriptures (or OT), as well as John (or NT), is testifying about, Christ – the Light of the world. As the One who is in the spotlight of God’s purpose, John shed the light that faith in the One who reveals God saves us from sin and judgment, besides having an eternal life, as we walk by the light (no pun intended).
1 List of the verses that contain the keyword ‘Light’ are found in John 1:4, 5, 7, 8, 9; 3:19, 20, 21; 5:35; 8:12; 9:5; 11:9, 10; 12:35, 36, 46.
2 John 1:8
3 John 1:7, 9, 14
4 John 1:4
5 John 1:5
6 John 1:5; 8:12; 12:46
7 John 3:19-20
8 John 12:36, 46
9 John 8:12, 9:5; 12:35, 36, 46
10 John 3:19, 20, 21
11 John 3:21
12 John 8:12; 12:35
13 John 5
14 John 5:35
15 John 9:5
16 John 11:9, 10
17 John 5:39
References:
Holy Bible – New International Version, 2004, Zondervan, Michigan.
Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, 1992, Editors: J.B.Green, S. McKnight, InterVarsity Press, England.
Tyndale New Testament Commentaries – The Gospel According to John, 1997, R.V.G. Tasker, InterVarsity Press, England.
List of Bible verses with the keyword ‘Light’:
1. John 1:4
In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
2. John 1:5
The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
3. John 1:7
He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe.
4. John 1:8
He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
5. John 1:9
The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
6. John 3:19
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
7. John 3:20
Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
8. John 3:21
But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."
9. John 5:35
John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.
10. John 8:12
[ The Validity of Jesus' Testimony ] When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
11. John 9:5
While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
12. John 11:9
Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world's light.
13. John 11:10
It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light."
14. John 12:35
Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going.
15. John 12:36
Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.
16. John 12:46
I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
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