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John 1:5 kjv — And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

King James Version

“And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”

— John 1:5, King James Version

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John 1:5 in Other Translations

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John 1 — Context

2

The same was in the beginning with God.

3

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

4

In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

5

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

6

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

7

The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

8

He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

John 1:5 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does John 1:5 say?
John 1:5 in the King James Version reads: “And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”
Where is John 1:5 in the Bible?
John 1:5 is found in the New Testament, in the book of John, chapter 1, verse 5.
Who wrote John?
John is traditionally attributed to John the Apostle, son of Zebedee. It was written c. AD 85–95.
What is the book of John about?
John's Gospel opens not in Bethlehem but "in the beginning," declaring Jesus to be the eternal Word made flesh. Through seven sign-miracles and seven "I AM" sayings, it presents Jesus as the bread, the light, the way, and the resurrection — that we might believe and have life in his name.
What are the major themes of John?
John explores themes including Word Made Flesh, Belief, Eternal Life, I AM, Love. These themes shape the meaning and context of John 1:5.
What translation should I read John 1:5 in?
John 1:5 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize John 1:5?
John 1:5 reads (KJV): “And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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