John 1:5 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

And the light shineth in darkness;— We have observed in the former verse, that Christ is the fountain of all spiritual light, so that nothing can be spiritually discerned but by his Spirit. This light shone in the heathen world, and under the dispensation of Moses, and still shineth in darkness, even upon the minds of the most ignorant and wicked part of mankind; darkness being not only used for a state of ignorance, whether wilful or natural, but likewise for a state of obstinate wickedness. See Ephesians 5:8. It is not easy to determine with exactness the sense of the original word κατελαβεν, which we render comprehend. Some have observed, that it signifies to attend to, or embrace, so as to attain or enjoy the end and benefit designed by a thing. Thus it is applied to the knowledge of the law, Sir 15:7 and to justice, or righteousness, Sir 27:8 of the same book. Darkness, as we have intimated, is used for persons involved in darkness.—Ye were sometimes darkness, but now are light in the Lord; where we may note the same double use in the word light, which darkness, in St. John's gospel is capable of admitting; as it first signifies persons enlightened, and then simply light itself.