Sadness Defined
The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. John 1.5 NIV
And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. John 1.5 NKJ
This week I have pondered this verse and found it gripping. Our God, wonderful in every way, has determined to reveal His great love and faithfulness through His own dear Son. His Great Father heart knew pain as He turned His face from His only Son hanging there on that cross, experiencing separation, suffering, and agony.
"...but the darkness did not comprehend it." "...and the darkness did not comprehend it."
If that is not sadness, there is none.
posted by Darlene Sinclair at
10:44 AM
5 Comments:
I, too, have been chewing on that verse! I love reading it in parallel translations, as it adds layers of depth to my understanding:
International Standard Version:
And the light shines on in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out.
New American Standard Bible (©1995)
The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
The light shines in the dark, and the dark has never extinguished it.
King James Bible
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
American King James Version
And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
American Standard Version
And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not.
Bible in Basic English
And the light goes on shining in the dark; it is not overcome by the dark.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
Darby Bible Translation
And the light appears in darkness, and the darkness apprehended it not.
English Revised Version
And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not.
Webster's Bible Translation
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Weymouth New Testament
The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overpowered it.
World English Bible
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn't overcome it.
Young's Literal Translation
and the light in the darkness did shine, and the darkness did not perceive it.
The darkness did not perceive it. Such sadness. Darkness has no clue.
If you look at the Greek (I am not staking any claim here, since I am not a studied scholar by any means)
but the two subtle meanings conveyed by the Greek word lead to these two common translations: comprehend or understand; overcome or extinguish.
They appear at my initial stages of contemplation to have some marked differences. One results in a measure of rejoicing; His light is not overcome!
The other presents a measure of sadness. Darkness does not comprehend. That anything or anyone fails to understand, apprehend, lay hold of such marvelous truth and light is sadness. Hence the sorrow around us in this fallen place. It seems to me the source of sorrow, this darkness. Yes, He has overcome, and in that I rejoice.
But the darkness -- I so dislike the darkness, the confusion wrought by such lack of light, the foolishness reveled in while darkness hides such deeds.
Therein lies sadness. There is no sadness in Light, only joy never-ending, I do believe!
Such clear, stark contradiction. That he might see! And she might see! May His Holy Spirit bring illumination in dark places! For although the darkness does not comprehend, the souls of men, even the darkened souls of men, can understand!
There is work to be done, work that prayer alone can accomplish!
Then again, I surely don't want to be in league with the enemy by having a pity party for him. Spare the thought of pity on him!
It's just his deception that I despise!
Just so everyone understands! I am not gone over to the Left, thinking there should be no recompense for even Satan himself! Then again, let's take a look at this. Maybe someone else caused his error. Are we sure he's responsible? ;)
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When I first read this passage I thought it meant that God is the light and the darkness (the rest of us) do not understand it. Is that too simplistic?
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