Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 1:5

"And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not." — John 1:5 (ASV)

The metaphorical contrast between light and darkness as representing the powers of good and evil was common in John’s day. A better translation of v.5b here is “The darkness did not overcome it” (see NIV note; cf. the use of this same verb in 12:35).