σκοτία (skotia)
skotia
darkness
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 12 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun skotia refers to darkness as a physical absence of light, but in Scripture it carries significant metaphorical weight. It appears twelve times, primarily in the Gospel of John and the First Epistle of John, where it describes a spiritual condition rather than just a lack of photons. The word stands in direct opposition to light, representing a state of separation from divine truth.
Thayer’s Lexicon notes that this darkness signifies ignorance of divine things alongside associated wickedness and misery. In Matthew 4:16, it describes the gloom covering the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, a setting for Jesus’ ministry. John uses it more abstractly, stating that God is light with no skotia in Him at all (1 John 1:5), and warning that those who claim to know God but hate a brother remain in the darkness (1 John 2:11).
The term often implies secrecy or hiddenness, as when Jesus instructs his followers not to tell others what they have seen until after the resurrection (Matthew 10:27). This usage highlights how skotia can function as a veil, keeping spiritual realities concealed from those who are not ready to receive them.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word skotia describes more than just the absence of physical light; it points to a spiritual condition where truth feels distant and understanding is obscured. In the Gospels, this term often highlights the contrast between hiddenness and revelation. When Jesus speaks of walking in the light, He offers clarity and direction for those who feel lost in the uncertainty of life.
For your daily walk, this distinction reminds us that our actions and words are never truly hidden from God. Even when circumstances seem dark or confusing, the promise remains that divine truth is accessible. We are invited to move from confusion into the clarity of His guidance, trusting that He illuminates the path ahead.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 12 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- darkness14×
- when dark1×
- dark1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- σκοτίᾳ9×
- σκοτία6×
- σκοτίας1×
Key Verses
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John 8:12
Again, 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.”
Jesus defines Himself as the source of life's direction, promising that following Him prevents one from wandering aimlessly in spiritual blindness.
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I John 1:5
This is the message which we have heard from him and announce to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
This verse establishes God’s absolute purity by stating there is no darkness in Him at all, setting the standard for His nature.
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Matthew 10:27
What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim on the housetops.
Jesus uses the metaphor of darkness to encourage open proclamation, assuring that what is shared privately will eventually be revealed publicly.