In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. John 1:4, 5 NKJV.

Comprehend, katalambano, Strong’s # 2638: The word lends itself to three interpretations: 1) to seize, (Mark 9:18) lay hold of, overcome. Verse 5 could read, “The darkness does not gain control of it.” 2) To perceive, attain, lay hold of with the mind; to apprehend (in a figurative sense, Phil.3:12) with mental or moral effort. Taking this meaning the verse could be translated, “The darkness is unreceptive (meaning the darkness did not admit or receive the light verse 10-12; 3:19) and does not understand it.” The darkness is here presented as being so thick that the light could not penetrate it.  3) To quench, extinguish, snuff out the light by stifling it. “The darkness will never be able to eliminate it.”

Light and darkness essentially are antagonistic. Our joy as Christians is knowing that light is not only greater than darkness but will also outlast the darkness.