Light of the World
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"Light of the World" (Template:Langx Phṓs tou kósmou) is a phrase used by Jesus to describe himself and his disciples in the New Testament.[1] The phrase is recorded in the Gospels of Matthew (5:14–16) and John (8:12). It is closely related to the parables of salt and light and lamp under a bushel, which also appear in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.
Gospel accounts
Referring to himself
In Script error: No such module "Bibleverse". Jesus applies the title to himself while debating with the Jews and states:[1]
Jesus again claims to be the Light of the World in Script error: No such module "Bibleverse"., during the miracle of healing the blind at birth, saying: [2]
- When I am in the world, I am the Light of the World.
This episode leads into Script error: No such module "Bibleverse". where Jesus metaphorically explains that he came to this world, so that the blind may see.[2]
In the Christological context, the use of the title Light of the World is similar to the Bread of Life title in Script error: No such module "Bibleverse". where Jesus states: "I am the bread of life: he who comes to me shall not hunger."[3] These assertions build on the Christological theme of Script error: No such module "Bibleverse". where Jesus claims to possess life just as the Father does and provide it to those who follow him.[3][4] The term "Life of the World" is applied in the same sense by Jesus to himself in Script error: No such module "Bibleverse"..[2]
Light is defined as life, as seen in Script error: No such module "Bibleverse"., "In him was life; and the life was the light of men". Those who have faith in him will have eternal life. In John's Gospel, "darkness is present in the absence of light; the absence of eternal life," and darkness refers to death, spiritually.[5]
Referring to his disciples
Jesus also used that term to refer to his disciples in Matthew 5:14:[1]
This application of "light compared with darkness" also appears in Script error: No such module "Bibleverse". which applies it to God and states: "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all".[6]
Johannine dualism
Light and darkness in John's Gospel is an antithesis that has symbolic meaning and is essential to understanding the author of John. The fourth gospel expresses certain ideas using the antithesis more frequently than any other writings in the New Testament. The Johannine community may have borrowed the symbolic use of the antithesis Light–Darkness from Essene literature, "which considered History as a permanent conflict between Good and Evil, using Light as a symbol of Truth and Righteousness and Darkness as that of Falsehood and Evil".[7]
Examples of dualistic concepts in the Gospel of John:
| Light | Darkness |
|---|---|
| Known | Unknown |
| Jesus Christ | Satan |
| Heavenly | Earthly |
| Above | Below |
| Spirit | Flesh |
| Sight | Blindness |
| Universe | World |
| Day | Night |
Extra-biblical sources
In the extra-canonical Gospel of Thomas, a similar phrase appears, "There is light within a man of light, and he lights up the whole world. If he does not shine, he is darkness".[8]
Light is a recurring theme in Gnostic religions such as Manichaeism[9] and Mandaeism.[10]
See also
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- I am (biblical term)
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- Jesus in Christianity
- Light of Christ
- Life of Jesus in the New Testament
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References
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- ↑ a b c Names and Titles of the Lord Jesus Christ by Charles Spear 2003 Template:ISBN page 226
- ↑ a b c New Testament christology by Frank J. Matera 1999 Template:ISBN page 235
- ↑ a b Christology in Context by Marinus de Jonge 1988 Template:ISBN page 147
- ↑ The person of Christ by Gerrit Cornelis Berkouwer 1954 Template:ISBN page 163
- ↑ Baylis, Charles P., "The Meaning of Walking "In the Darkness" (1 John 1:6)." Bibliotheca Sacra 149, no. 594 (1992). 219
- ↑ John by H. A. Ironside 2006 Template:ISBN pages 199-202
- ↑ Trocmé, E. (1995). Light and Darkness in the Fourth Gospel. Disdaskalia (Otterburne, Man.), 6(2), 3-13
- ↑ Gospel of Thomas, 24
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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External links
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