Light is often used in Scripture as a symbol of the presence of God in the world. It is often especially associated with the word of God, the salvation brought about by God, or the person of Jesus Christ.
Light as a symbol of God
God's purity
1 John 1:5 See also Job 25:4–6; Isaiah 5:20; 1 John 1:7
And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.
God's glory
Revelation 21:23 See also Psalm 76:4, Psalm 84:11; Isaiah 60:19–20; Habakkuk 3:4; 1 Timothy 6:15–16
And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its lamp.
God's knowledge
Psalm 90:8, Psalm 139:11–12; Daniel 2:22; 1 Corinthians 4:5
God's unchangeability
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.
God's vengeance
See also Psalm 94:1; Isaiah 10:17
Satan as an imitator of light
And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
Light as a symbol of God's favour towards his people
Ezra 9:8 See also Numbers 6:25; Job 3:20, Job 29:2–3; Psalm 4:6, Psalm 31:16, Psalm 44:3, Psalm 67:1, Psalm 80:3, Psalm 80:7; Micah 7:8–9; Revelation 22:5
But now, for a brief moment, grace has come from the LORD our God to preserve for us a remnant and to give us a stake in His holy place. Even in our bondage, our God has given us new life and light to our eyes.
Light as a symbol of God's word
As perceived by believers
Psalm 119:105 See also Psalm 19:8, Psalm 119:130; 2 Peter 1:19
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
As perceived by unbelievers
John 3:20 See also Job 24:13–17; John 1:5
Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
Light as a symbol of salvation
1 Peter 2:9 See also Isaiah 9:2, Isaiah 51:4; Acts 26:23; Ephesians 5:14; Colossians 1:12; 1 John 2:8
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Light as a symbol of Jesus Christ
Foretold in the OT
Numbers 24:17 See also Isaiah 9:2, Isaiah 42:6–7, Isaiah 49:6, Isaiah 53:11; Malachi 4:2
I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth.
Revealed in the NT
John 8:12 See also Matthew 4:16, Matthew 17:2; Luke 1:78–79, Luke 2:32; John 1:4–9, John 9:5, John 12:35–36, John 12:46; Acts 13:47; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Hebrews 1:3; Revelation 1:16, Revelation 22:16
Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.