σκότος
skotos
darkness
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word σκότος (skotos) is a noun that translates to "darkness." Its definition of darkness encompasses various physical and metaphorical senses, depending on the context in which it is used. In a physical sense,(skotos) refers to the absence of light or a lack of illumination, while in a metaphorical sense, it can represent ignorance, confusion, or chaos. In the Bible, σκότος appears 31 times in various references, demonstrating its significant importance in the biblical narrative. It is often used to describe literal darkness, such as nightfall, but also to convey figurative meanings. For example, the disciples of Jesus were in the dark about his true identity, while the Pharisees and Sadducees represent the darkness of their understanding. The repeated appearance of σκότος in the Bible highlights its symbolic significance. Darkness serves as a foil to light, illustrating the contrast between knowledge and ignorance, understanding and confusion, or truth and error. Through its nuanced meaning and range of usage, σκότος offers insight into the complexities of human experience and the themes of biblical narrative.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
31 total occurrences across the text
the people who sat in darkness saw a great light, to those who sat in the region and shadow of death, to them light has dawned.”
Matthew 6:23But if your eye is evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
Matthew 6:23But if your eye is evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
Matthew 8:12but the children of the Kingdom will be thrown out into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Matthew 22:13Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and throw him into the outer darkness. That is where the weeping and grinding of teeth will be.’
Matthew 25:30Throw out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Matthew 27:45Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.
Mark 15:33When the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.
Luke 1:79to shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death; to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Luke 11:35Therefore see whether the light that is in you isn’t darkness.
Luke 22:53When I was with you in the temple daily, you didn’t stretch out your hands against me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”
Luke 23:44It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.
John 3:19This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil.
Acts 2:20The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
Acts 13:11Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is on you, and you will be blind, not seeing the sun for a season!” Immediately a mist and darkness fell on him. He went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand.
Acts 26:18to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
Romans 2:19and are confident that you yourself are a guide of the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,
Romans 13:12The night is far gone, and the day is near. Let’s therefore throw off the deeds of darkness, and let’s put on the armor of light.
1 Corinthians 4:5Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each man will get his praise from God.
2 Corinthians 4:6seeing it is God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 6:14Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship do righteousness and iniquity have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?
Ephesians 5:8For you were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,
Ephesians 5:11Have no fellowship with the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather even reprove them.
Ephesians 6:12For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Colossians 1:13who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love,
1 Thessalonians 5:4But you, brothers, aren’t in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief.
1 Thessalonians 5:5You are all children of light and children of the day. We don’t belong to the night, nor to darkness,
1 Peter 2:9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
2 Peter 2:17These are wells without water, clouds driven by a storm; for whom the blackness of darkness has been reserved forever.
1 John 1:6If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and don’t tell the truth.
Jude 1:13wild waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the blackness of darkness has been reserved forever.