For Jesus as the light of God come into the world, see 8.12 and verse 35 above. In 8.12 an equation is made (I am the light of the world), whereas in the present verse a simile is used (I have come into the world as light). As light may be rendered “as one who causes light for people” or “as one who causes light to shine upon people” or “as one who causes people to be in light.”

Remain in the darkness is here the contrast to the people of the light in verse 36. Remain in the darkness may be rendered “remain in a place which is dark” or “remain in a dark condition.” In some languages it is not possible to speak of “darkness” without indicating what this abstract quality refers to, for example, place, condition, state, etc.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .