'Rather' in the Bible

Now this is the basis for judging: that the light has come into the world and people loved the darkness rather than the light, because their deeds were evil.

You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' but rather, 'I have been sent before him.'

Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, "Do not write, 'The king of the Jews,' but rather, 'This man said, I am king of the Jews.'"

So the saying circulated among the brothers and sisters that this disciple was not going to die. But Jesus did not say to him that he was not going to die, but rather, "If I want him to live until I come back, what concern is that of yours?"