φῶς
phōs
light
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word φῶς (phōs) is defined as "light." With 73 occurrences in the Bible, it is a significant term that appears frequently in various contexts. In its most basic sense, φῶς refers to the physical phenomenon of light, often used to describe the sun, moon, stars, or other sources of illumination. However, φῶς also takes on a metaphorical meaning, representing knowledge, understanding, or insight. In this sense, it can describe the enlightenment that comes from understanding God's word or the truth. This dual nature of φῶς highlights its importance in the biblical narrative, where it often symbolizes the presence of God or the revelation of divine truth. The frequent use of φῶς in the Bible underscores its significance as a powerful concept that transcends its literal meaning. It represents the idea of illumination, understanding, and guidance, which are essential themes in the biblical narrative.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
73 total occurrences across the text — showing 50
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 4:16the 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 5:14You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden.
Matthew 5:16Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
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 10:27What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim on the housetops.
Matthew 17:2He was changed before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light.
Mark 14:54Peter had followed him from a distance, until he came into the court of the high priest. He was sitting with the officers, and warming himself in the light of the fire.
Luke 2:32a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.”
Luke 8:16“No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a container, or puts it under a bed; but puts it on a stand, that those who enter in may see the light.
Luke 11:33“No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, that those who come in may see the light.
Luke 11:35Therefore see whether the light that is in you isn’t darkness.
Luke 12:3Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light. What you have spoken in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.
Luke 16:8“His lord commended the dishonest manager because he had done wisely, for the children of this world are, in their own generation, wiser than the children of the light.
Luke 22:56A certain servant girl saw him as he sat in the light, and looking intently at him, said, “This man also was with him.”
John 1:4In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
John 1:5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn’t overcome it.
John 1:7The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe through him.
John 1:8He was not the light, but was sent that he might testify about the light.
John 1:8He was not the light, but was sent that he might testify about the light.
John 1:9The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world.
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.
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.
John 3:20For everyone who does evil hates the light, and doesn’t come to the light, lest his works would be exposed.
John 3:20For everyone who does evil hates the light, and doesn’t come to the light, lest his works would be exposed.
John 3:21But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done in God.”
John 5:35He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.
John 8:12Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 9:5While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
John 11:9Jesus answered, “Aren’t there twelve hours of daylight? If a man walks in the day, he doesn’t stumble, because he sees the light of this world.
John 11:10But if a man walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light isn’t in him.”
John 12:35Jesus therefore said to them, “Yet a little while the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, that darkness doesn’t overtake you. He who walks in the darkness doesn’t know where he is going.
John 12:35Jesus therefore said to them, “Yet a little while the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, that darkness doesn’t overtake you. He who walks in the darkness doesn’t know where he is going.
John 12:36While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become children of light.” Jesus said these things, and he departed and hid himself from them.
John 12:36While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become children of light.” Jesus said these things, and he departed and hid himself from them.
John 12:36While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become children of light.” Jesus said these things, and he departed and hid himself from them.
John 12:46I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in the darkness.
Acts 9:3As he traveled, he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him.
Acts 12:7And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side, and woke him up, saying, “Stand up quickly!” His chains fell off his hands.
Acts 13:47For so has the Lord commanded us, saying, ‘I have set you as a light for the Gentiles, that you should bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth.’ ”
Acts 16:29He called for lights, sprang in, fell down trembling before Paul and Silas,
Acts 22:6As I made my journey, and came close to Damascus, about noon, suddenly a great light shone around me from the sky.
Acts 22:9“Those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they didn’t understand the voice of him who spoke to me.
Acts 22:11When I couldn’t see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus.
Acts 26:13at noon, O king, I saw on the way a light from the sky, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who traveled with me.
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.’
Acts 26:23how the Christ must suffer, and how, by the resurrection of the dead, he would be first to proclaim light both to these people and to the Gentiles.”
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.