John 5:25 kjv
Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
John 5:25 nkjv
Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.
John 5:25 niv
Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.
John 5:25 esv
"Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.
John 5:25 nlt
"And I assure you that the time is coming, indeed it's here now, when the dead will hear my voice ? the voice of the Son of God. And those who listen will live.
John 5 25 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 2:7 | ...breathed into his nostrils the breath of life... become a living soul. | God as source of life. |
| Deut 30:19 | ...choose life, that you and your offspring may live. | Call to choose life. |
| Psa 2:7 | You are my Son; today I have begotten you. | Son's divine identity. |
| Psa 49:7-9 | None of them can by any means redeem his brother... too costly to redeem. | Human inability to give life. |
| Psa 119:50 | This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life. | Life through God's word. |
| Isa 26:19 | Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise... Awaken and sing... | Prophecy of resurrection, even spiritual. |
| Ezek 37:4-10 | ...Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word... | God's word bringing life to the dead. |
| Matt 8:22 | ...Let the dead bury their own dead... | Spiritual death contrasted with physical. |
| John 3:3-5 | ...unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God... born of water and the Spirit... | Spiritual birth essential. |
| John 3:16 | For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son... not perish but have eternal life. | Life through faith in the Son. |
| John 5:21 | For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life... | Son's authority to give life (direct context). |
| John 5:24 | Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes... has eternal life. | Immediate eternal life through hearing & belief. |
| John 5:28 | Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs... hear his voice... | Future physical resurrection (contrast). |
| John 6:63 | It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. | Jesus' words give life. |
| John 10:27 | My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. | Hearing Jesus' voice leads to salvation. |
| John 11:25 | I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die... live. | Jesus embodies life itself. |
| Rom 6:4 | ...raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. | Spiritual resurrection unto new life. |
| Rom 8:10-11 | ...if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life... | Spirit gives life even to mortal bodies. |
| Eph 2:1 | And you were dead in the trespasses and sins... | Believers were spiritually dead. |
| Eph 2:4-5 | ...God, being rich in mercy... made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— | God's grace makes us alive in Christ. |
| Col 2:13 | And you, who were dead in your trespasses... God made alive together with him... | God makes spiritually dead alive. |
| 1 Pet 4:6 | ...the gospel was preached even to those who are dead... | Gospel reaching those dead, often spiritually. |
| Rev 3:20 | Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens... | Jesus' invitation to hear and respond. |
John 5 verses
John 5 25 Meaning
John 5:25 proclaims a profound spiritual truth: Jesus declares that a pivotal time has arrived, a spiritual "hour," during which those who are spiritually dead will hear and respond to His authoritative voice, resulting in their spiritual awakening and entry into eternal life. It emphasizes the present reality of spiritual quickening, distinct from the future physical resurrection discussed in later verses. This verse underscores the life-giving power inherent in the Son of God's word and highlights the call to a transformative relationship with Him through faith.
John 5 25 Context
John chapter 5 details a pivotal confrontation between Jesus and the Jewish authorities in Jerusalem following the healing of a paralytic on the Sabbath at the pool of Bethesda. This healing (Jn 5:1-9) leads to Jesus' claim of equality with God the Father, stating that He is actively working just as the Father works (Jn 5:17). This claim escalates the tension, as the Jewish leaders accuse Him not only of Sabbath-breaking but also of blasphemy by making Himself equal to God (Jn 5:18).
In response, Jesus delivers an extensive discourse affirming His divine authority, specifically derived from and shared with the Father (Jn 5:19-30). He asserts His power to give life and execute judgment, prerogatives uniquely belonging to God. Verse 25 stands as a key part of this discourse, where Jesus highlights His power over spiritual death. It distinguishes between the "now is" spiritual awakening (v. 25) and the future "coming" physical resurrection (v. 28-29), addressing God's sovereign control over both aspects of life and death, thereby refuting the leaders' accusations against His divine authority and origin.
John 5 25 Word analysis
- Amen, Amen: (ἀμὴν ἀμήν, amēn amēn) This double "Amen" (or "Truly, truly") is a distinctive feature in John's Gospel, appearing 25 times. It functions as a solemn, authoritative declaration, indicating the absolute certainty and profound truth of what Jesus is about to say. It demands undivided attention and signifies that the following statement is of divine origin and paramount importance.
- I say to you: A direct assertion of Jesus' own authority. He speaks not as a prophet repeating God's words, but as God Incarnate, declaring truth based on His inherent divine power and knowledge.
- The hour: (ὥρα, hōra) This term is significant in John, often referring to a specific, appointed time in God's redemptive plan (e.g., Jesus' passion). Here, it denotes a momentous, divinely appointed period. It's not just a tick of the clock but an era.
- is coming, and now is: (ἔρχεται καὶ νῦν ἐστιν, erchetai kai nun estin) This phrase expresses what scholars call "already and not yet" eschatology. "Now is" signifies that the power of spiritual quickening through Jesus' voice is actively at work in the present moment, transforming lives. "Is coming" points to an ongoing reality and a future consummation of this spiritual power, or it may subtly anticipate the physical resurrection of later verses without explicitly mentioning it yet. This phrase challenges the expectation that God's work is confined to past revelations or future messianic age, asserting that the Kingdom power is actively manifesting now through Jesus.
- when: (ὅτε, hote) Introduces the condition or circumstance under which the "hour" manifests.
- the dead: (οἱ νεκροί, hoi nekroi) In this verse (v. 25), the context strongly implies the spiritually dead. This refers to humanity's state alienated from God due to sin (Eph 2:1-5; Col 2:13), lacking spiritual life. This is distinct from "those in the tombs" mentioned in v. 28, which clearly refers to the physically dead awaiting resurrection. The very act of "hearing the voice of the Son of God" and "living" points to spiritual regeneration.
- shall hear: (ἀκούσουσιν, akousousin) To hear in this context implies not merely physical perception of sound but an understanding, receptive, and obedient hearing—a hearing that leads to faith and spiritual transformation. It denotes active reception of Jesus' message.
- the voice: (φωνή, phōnē) The powerful, authoritative, and life-giving word of Jesus. This is not just human speech but a divine utterance, possessing creative and redemptive power, akin to God's creative word in Gen 1.
- of the Son of God: A profound declaration of Jesus' divine identity and authority. This title highlights His unique relationship with the Father and His inherent divinity, underpinning His ability to impart life. It ties back to the Jewish authorities' accusation in v. 18.
- and they that hear: (οἱ ἀκούσαντες, hoi akousantes) Specifically refers to those who not only perceive Jesus' voice but also truly respond with belief and obedience, differentiating them from those who hear physically but remain spiritually unresponsive.
- shall live: (ζήσονται, zēsontai) This signifies receiving spiritual life, regeneration, and the initiation of eternal life. It implies a transition from spiritual death to spiritual vitality, marked by communion with God and obedience to His word.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Amen, Amen, I say to you, The hour is coming, and now is": This opening phrase is Jesus' direct, solemn declaration, emphasizing the immediate and profound nature of His authority to bring spiritual life. It establishes an "already but not yet" eschatological tension, where divine realities are breaking into the present.
- "when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God": This highlights the object of Jesus' life-giving power—the spiritually deceased—and the means of their resuscitation: His divine, authoritative voice. The "Son of God" emphasizes His deity and unique qualification to bestow such life. This indicates that salvation comes through a personal encounter with Christ's word.
- "and they that hear shall live": This confirms the transformative outcome: those who truly listen and respond to Jesus' call are spiritually resurrected. The active verb "shall live" signifies an entry into genuine, eternal spiritual existence and communion with God.
John 5 25 Bonus section
This verse sharply contrasts with Jewish expectations that life (especially resurrection) was solely a future eschatological event or strictly the Father's prerogative. Jesus claims that this divine prerogative is active now through Him. The very nature of God is life, and that life is in the Son (Jn 1:4; Jn 5:26). Therefore, His "voice" carries the power of the divine life to impart it. This also subtly functions as a polemic against any belief system that limited God's saving power or relegated it only to the distant future, emphasizing the immediate, present availability of spiritual newness in Christ.
John 5 25 Commentary
John 5:25 encapsulates a fundamental aspect of Jesus' mission: His authority and power to give spiritual life to those who are spiritually dead. The "hour" points to a new era initiated by Christ, one where the power of God's Kingdom is already active and transforming lives. The spiritually dead, ensnared by sin and separated from God, are not beyond hope; they are receptive to the life-giving "voice" of the Son of God. This voice is not merely audible sound but a spiritual summons, carrying the divine essence of life. True hearing, in this context, implies an obedient and believing response to Jesus' call, which results in being made "alive" with the very life of God—spiritual regeneration and the commencement of eternal life. This verse distinguishes itself from the future bodily resurrection by focusing on an immediate, spiritual rebirth through faith, showcasing Jesus' absolute sovereignty over life itself.