John 1:5

φαίνει. The elementary distinction between φαίνειν, ‘to shine,’ and φαίνεσθαι, ‘to appear,’ is not always observed by our translators. In Acts 27:20 φαίνειν is translated like φαίνεσθαι; in Matthew 24:27 and Philippians 2:15 the converse mistake is made. Here note the present tense, the only one in the section. It brings us down to the Apostle’s own day: comp. ἤδη φαίνει (1 John 2:8). Now, as of old, the Light shines, and shines in vain. In John 1:1-2 we have the period preceding Creation; in John 1:3 the Creation; John 1:4 man before the Fall; John 1:5 man after the Fall.

καὶ ἡ σκοτία. Note the strong connexion between John 1:4-5, as between the two halves of John 1:5, resulting in both cases from a portion of the predicate in one clause becoming the subject of the next clause. Such strong connexions are very frequent in S. John.

ἡ σκοτία. All that the Divine Revelation does not reach, whether by God’s appointment or their own stubbornness, ignorant Gentile and unbelieving Jew. Σκοτία in a metaphorical sense for moral and spiritual darkness is peculiar to S. John 8:12; John 12:35; John 12:46; 1 John 1:5; 1 John 2:8-9; 1 John 2:11.

οὐ κατέλαβεν. Did not apprehend: very appropriate of that which requires mental and moral effort. Cf. Ephesians 3:18. The darkness remained apart, unyielding and unpenetrated. The words ‘the darkness apprehendeth not the light’ (ἡ σκοτία τὸ φῶς οὐ καταλαμβάνει) are given by Tatian as a quotation (Orat. ad Graecos, XIII.). As he flourished c. A.D. 150–170, this is early testimony to the existence of the Gospel. We have here an instance of what has been called the “tragic tone” in S. John: he frequently states a gracious fact, and in immediate connexion with it the very opposite of what might have been expected to result from it. ‘The Light shines in darkness, and (instead of yielding and dispersing) the darkness shut it out.’ Cf. John 1:10-11; John 3:11; John 3:19; John 3:32; John 5:39-40; John 6:36; John 6:43, &c. Καταλαμβάνειν sometimes = ‘to overcome,’ which makes good sense here, as in John 12:35.