Night as Metaphor for Evil in Gospel Verses
The metaphorical use of night to represent evil is a recurring theme in biblical literature. In the Gospel of John, Jesus' encounter with Nicodemus "after dark" is noted, with night symbolizing the realm of evil, untruth, and unbelief [3]. This metaphor is not unique to John; throughout the biblical text, darkness and night are associated with malevolent activities and states.
In the Psalms, the terror of night is a source of fear, with "pestilence in thick darkness" and "destruction that destroyeth at noon" highlighting the pervasive nature of evil [1]. The Psalmist also notes that it is in the night that "all the beasts of the field do creep forth" and that wicked men, whose deeds are evil, prefer the darkness [6].
The association between night and evil is further reinforced in the prophetic literature. Isaiah 17:14 speaks of terror coming "at evening" and being gone "before the morning", illustrating the transient nature of evil's power [2]. In Micah, the coming calamity is described as a "night" that will befall those who pretend to divine, underscoring the idea that darkness represents calamity and divine judgment [9].
The Jewish tradition, as represented in the Midrash Rabbah, also interprets night as a time of evil and wickedness. The text notes that the wickedness of humanity is such that "even at night his heart does not rest" from transgressions, and that many of the significant events in Israel's history, including moments of divine retribution, occurred at night [4, 7].
The early Christian interpretation of night as a metaphor for evil is evident in the writings of the Church Fathers. The Gospel of Peter, for example, describes the crucifixion scene with many going about with lamps, "supposing that it was night", highlighting the darkness that accompanied Jesus' death [5].
The metaphorical use of night to represent evil is not limited to the biblical text itself but is part of a broader theological and symbolic framework. The contrast between light and darkness, day and night, serves to underscore the fundamental opposition between good and evil. As John Gill notes, the night represents a state of imperfection and darkness, even for believers, and is a time when the wicked are most active [8].
The biblical association of night with evil is thus a multifaceted one, encompassing not just the literal darkness but also the metaphorical and symbolic dimensions. It reflects a deeper theological understanding of the nature of evil and its relationship to the divine.
The darkness and night are not just natural phenomena but are imbued with theological significance, representing the realm of evil and untruth. This understanding is rooted in the biblical text and is developed in various traditions of interpretation, from the Jewish Midrash to early Christian thought.
Sources
- Psalms “Psalms 91:6 (YLT) — Of pestilence in thick darkness that walketh, Of destruction that destroyeth at noon,”
- Isaiah “At evening, behold, terror! Before the morning, they are no more. This is the portion of those who plunder us, and the lot of those who rob us. -- Isaiah 17:14”
- John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 3:2: 3:2 After dark: Nicodemus might have feared public association with Jesus. Night also symbolizes the realm of evil, untruth, and unbelief (9:4; 11:10; 13:30).”
- Midrash Rabbah (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Midrash Rabbah, Bereishit Rabbah 27:2: Another matter: “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth” – it is written: “For all his days are pains, and anger is his concern; even at night his heart does not rest. This too is futility” (Ecclesiastes 2:23). “For all his days are pains” – this is the generation of Enosh and the generation of the Flood, who would pain the Holy One blessed be He with their wicked deeds. “And anger is his concern” – as they would anger the Holy One blessed be He with their wicked deeds. “Even at night his heart does not rest” – from transgressions.”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 9: Gospel of Peter, Diatessaron, Origen's Commentaries — THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO PETER (part 2): it is written for them, that the sun set not on him that hath been put to death. And one of them said, Give him to drink gall with vinegar. And they mixed and gave him to drink, and fulfilled all things, and accomplished their sins against their own head. And many went about with lamps, supposing that it was night, and fell down.(4) And the Lord cried out, saying, My power, my power, thou hast forsaken me. And when he had said it he was taken up. And in that hour the vail of the temple of J”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 104:20: Thou makest darkness, and it is night,.... The darkness was before the light, and the night before the day, Gen 1:2 and now the darkness and night are made by the setting of the sun before mentioned; see Isa 45:7. Wherein all the beasts of the field do creep forth; out of their dens, and range about for their prey, as the evening wolves and others: and these are not the only creatures that choose the night and darkness; all wicked men do the same; whose deeds are evil, and do not care to come to the light, lest they should be reproved; particularly drunkards, adul”
- Midrash Rabbah (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Midrash Rabbah, Bamidbar Rabbah 20:12: “God came to Bilam at night” – this is what the verse said: “It is a night of vigilance of the Lord…it is this night…[for all the children of Israel for their generations]” (Exodus 12:42). All the miracles that were performed on behalf of Israel, and with which retribution was exacted against the wicked, were at night: “God came to Lavan the Aramean in a dream at night” (Genesis 31:24); “God came to Avimelekh in a dream at night” (Genesis 20:3); “It was at midnight” (Exodus 12:29), 30 The plague of the firstborn. and it is written: “There was the cloud an”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 13:12: The night is far spent,.... Not of Jewish darkness, which was gone, and was succeeded by the Gospel day; nor of former ignorance in Gentilism and unregeneracy, for that was past, and the true light shined; much less of security in the latter day, which was not yet come on; rather of persecution and distress for Christ's sake; but it is best of all to understand it of the present time of life; so it is called by the Jews (g), , "this world is like to the night": and which, in the best of saints, is attended with imperfection and darkness, errors and mistakes, in princ”
- Micah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Micah 3:6: night . . . dark--Calamities shall press on you so overwhelming as to compel you to cease pretending to divine (Zac 13:4). Darkness is often the image of calamity (Isa 8:22; Amo 5:18; Amo 8:9).”