For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom he desires. For the Father judges no one, but he has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who doesn’t honor the Son doesn’t honor the Father who sent him.
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John 5:21-23 sits inside this longer paragraph.
The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. For this cause the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill him, because he did these things on the Sabbath. But Jesus answered them, “My Father is still working, so I am working, too.” For this cause therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the Sabbath, but also called God his own Father, making himself equal with God. Jesus therefore answered them, “Most certainly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father doing. For whatever things he does, these the Son also does likewise. For the Father has affection for the Son, and shows him all things that he himself does. He will show him greater works than these, that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom he desires. For the Father judges no one, but he has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who doesn’t honor the Son doesn’t honor the Father who sent him.
Parallel Translations
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For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom he desires.
For the Father judges no one, but he has given all judgment to the Son,
that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who doesn’t honor the Son doesn’t honor the Father who sent him.
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For lykwyse as the father rayseth vp the deed and quickeneth them even so the sonne quyckeneth whom he will.
Nether iudgeth the father eny man: but hath committed all iudgement vnto the sonne
because that all men shuld honoure the sonne even as they honoure the father. He that honoureth not the sonne the same honoureth not the father which hath sent him.
Show all 3 translations
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For likewise as the Father rayseth vp the dead, and quickeneth them, so the Sonne quickeneth whom he will.
For the Father iudgeth no man, but hath committed all iudgement vnto the Sonne,
Because that all men shoulde honour the Sonne, as they honour the Father: he that honoureth not the Sonne, the same honoureth not the Father, which hath sent him.
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Contradictions (1)
Questions where the Bible appears to say two different things, with the passages on each side set together.
Cross-references (81)
- 1 John 2:23 (v23) Whoever denies the Son doesn’t have the Father. He who confesses the Son has the Father also.
- Luke 10:16 (v23) Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me. Whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”
- John 5:27 (v22) He also gave him authority to execute judgment, because he is a son of man.
- Acts 17:31 (v22) because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he has ordained; of which he has given…
- Matthew 11:27 (vv22–23) All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows the Son, except the Father; neither does anyone know the Father, except the…
Show all 79 cross-references
- Matthew 28:18 (v22) Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.
- Romans 8:11 (v21) But if the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life…
- 2 Corinthians 5:10 (v22) For we must all be revealed before the judgment seat of Christ that each one may receive the things in the body according to what he has…
- 2 John 1:9 (v23) Whoever transgresses and doesn’t remain in the teaching of Christ, doesn’t have God. He who remains in the teaching has both the Father and…
- John 15:23-24 (v23) He who hates me, hates my Father also. If I hadn’t done among them the works which no one else did, they wouldn’t have had sin. But now…
- Acts 10:42 (v22) He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that this is he who is appointed by God as the Judge of the living and the dead.
- Deuteronomy 32:39 (v21) “See now that I myself am he. There is no god with me. I kill and I make alive. I wound and I heal. There is no one who can deliver out of…
- Jeremiah 17:5-7 (v23) Yahweh says: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man, relies on strength of flesh, and whose heart departs from Yahweh. For he will be like a…
- John 9:39 (v22) Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, that those who don’t see may see; and that those who see may become blind.”
- John 11:25 (v21) Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies.
- Romans 2:16 (v22) in the day when God will judge the secrets of men, according to my Good News, by Jesus Christ.
- 2 Timothy 4:1 (v22) I command you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom:
- John 17:2 (vv21–22) even as you gave him authority over all flesh, so he will give eternal life to all whom you have given him.
- Luke 12:8-9 (v23) “I tell you, everyone who confesses me before men, the Son of Man will also confess before the angels of God; but he who denies me in the…
- 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 (v23) Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. May the Lord make you to increase and abound in love…
- Ephesians 6:24 (v23) Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love. Amen.
- Hebrews 1:6 (v23) When he again brings in the firstborn into the world he says, “Let all the angels of God worship him.”
- Psalms 96:13 (v22) before Yahweh; for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, the peoples with his truth.
- Luke 7:14-15 (v21) He came near and touched the coffin, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” He who was dead sat up, and…
- Acts 26:8 (v21) Why is it judged incredible with you, if God does raise the dead?
- Titus 3:4-6 (v23) But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared, not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves, but…
- 1 Peter 4:5 (v22) They will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
- Psalms 9:7-8 (v22) But Yahweh reigns forever. He has prepared his throne for judgment. He will judge the world in righteousness. He will administer judgment…
- Psalms 98:9 (v22) Let them sing before Yahweh, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.
- Matthew 16:27 (v22) For the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will render to everyone according to his deeds.
- Romans 8:9 (v23) But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if it is so that the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if any man doesn’t have the Spirit of…
- 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (v23) Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your…
- 2 Peter 3:18 (v23) But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
- Luke 8:54-55 (v21) But he put them all outside, and taking her by the hand, he called, saying, “Child, arise!” Her spirit returned, and she rose up…
- John 3:35 (v22) The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand.
- John 11:43-44 (v21) When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” He who was dead came out, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and…
- John 16:14 (v23) He will glorify me, for he will take from what is mine, and will declare it to you.
- Romans 6:22 (v23) But now, being made free from sin and having become servants of God, you have your fruit of sanctification and the result of eternal life.
- Romans 14:7-9 (v23) For none of us lives to himself, and none dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord. Or if we die, we die to the Lord. If…
- Romans 14:10-12 (v22) But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of…
- 1 Corinthians 10:31 (v23) Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
- 1 Kings 17:21 (v21) He stretched himself on the child three times, and cried to Yahweh, and said, “Yahweh my God, please let this child’s soul come into him…
- 2 Kings 4:32-35 (v21) When Elisha had come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and lying on his bed. He went in therefore, and shut the door on them…
- 2 Kings 5:7 (v21) When the king of Israel had read the letter, he tore his clothes, and said, “Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends to me…
- Psalms 146:3-5 (v23) Don’t put your trust in princes, in a son of man in whom there is no help. His spirit departs, and he returns to the earth. In that very…
- Ecclesiastes 11:9 (v22) Rejoice, young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth, and walk in the ways of your heart, and in the…
- Isaiah 43:10-11 (v23) “You are my witnesses,” says Yahweh, “With my servant whom I have chosen; that you may know and believe me, and understand that I am he.…
- Matthew 12:21 (v23) In his name, the nations will hope.”
- Matthew 22:37-38 (v23) Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first…
- 1 Corinthians 6:19 (v23) Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
- 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 (v22) and to give relief to you who are afflicted with us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire,…
- Revelation 5:8-14 (v23) Now when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having a harp, and…
- Revelation 20:11-12 (v22) I saw a great white throne, and him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. There was found no place for them. I…
- Psalms 2:12 (v23) Give sincere homage to the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish on the way, for his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all those who…
- Psalms 50:3-6 (v22) Our God comes, and does not keep silent. A fire devours before him. It is very stormy around him. He calls to the heavens above, to the…
- Ecclesiastes 12:14 (v22) For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it is good, or whether it is evil.
- Isaiah 45:21 (v23) Declare and present it. Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has shown this from ancient time? Who has declared it of old? Haven’t I,…
- Zechariah 9:9 (v23) Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King comes to you! He is righteous, and having salvation;…
- Matthew 10:37 (v23) He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn’t worthy of me.
- Matthew 25:31-46 (v22) “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. Before him all…
- John 14:1 (v23) “Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me.
- Romans 4:17-19 (v21) As it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations.” This is in the presence of him whom he believed: God, who gives life to the…
- 1 Corinthians 1:3 (v23) Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- 2 Corinthians 1:9 (v23) Yes, we ourselves have had the sentence of death within ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead,
- 2 Corinthians 5:19 (v23) namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the…
- 2 Corinthians 13:14 (v23) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s love, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
- Ephesians 1:12-13 (v23) to the end that we should be to the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ. In him you also, having heard the word of the…
- 2 Timothy 1:12 (v23) For this cause I also suffer these things. Yet I am not ashamed, for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to…
- Isaiah 42:8 (v23) “I am Yahweh. That is my name. I will not give my glory to another, nor my praise to engraved images.
- Isaiah 44:6 (v23) This is what Yahweh, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, Yahweh of Armies, says: “I am the first, and I am the last; and besides me there…
- Matthew 28:19 (v23) Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
- John 17:10 (v23) All things that are mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.
- Romans 1:7 (v23) to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Romans 15:12 (v23) Again, Isaiah says, “There will be the root of Jesse, he who arises to rule over the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles will hope.”
- 1 Corinthians 16:22 (v23) If any man doesn’t love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be cursed. Come, Lord!
- 2 Corinthians 5:14 (v23) For the love of Christ constrains us; because we judge thus, that one died for all, therefore all died.
- Titus 2:13-14 (v23) looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might…
- Isaiah 45:15 (v23) Most certainly you are a God who has hidden yourself, God of Israel, the Savior.’ ”
- 2 Peter 1:1 (v23) Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our…
79 distinct cross-references across this passage (81 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (20 sources)
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John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On vv21–23 21. For as the Father raiseth up the dead.…
21. For as the Father raiseth up the dead. Here he gives a summary view of the nature of the office which had been given to him by the Father; for though he appears to specify one class, yet it is a general doctrine in which he declares himself to be the Author of life Now life contains within itself not only righteousness, but all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and every part of our salvation. And certainly this miracle must have been so remarkable a proof of the power of Christ, as to yield this common fruit; that is, to open a door to the Gospel. We ought also to observe in what manner Christ bestows life upon us; for he found us all dead, and therefore it was necessary to begin with a resurrection Yet, when he joins the two words, raiseth up and quickeneth, he does not use superfluous language; for it would not have been enough that we were rescued from death, if Christ did not fully and perfectly restore life to us. Again, he does not speak of this life as bestowed indiscriminately on all; for he says that he giveth life to whom he will; by which he means that he specially confers this grace on none but certain men, that is, on the elect.
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv21–22 The Father maketh no man partaker of everlasting life,…
The Father maketh no man partaker of everlasting life, but in Christ, in whom only also he is truly worshipped.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv21–23 21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead,…
21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
Ver. 21. Raiseth up the dead] Bringing them from the jaws of death to the joys of life; which none can do but God alone.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv21–23 He seemeth not to speak of what God will…
He seemeth not to speak of what God will do in the general resurrection, but of those whom the Lord raised up from the dead in the Old Testament, by Elijah and Elisha. The giving of and restoring unto life, are things proper unto God, Deu 32:39; 1Sa 2:6.
So the Son quickeneth whom he will: God hath given unto me a power to raise from the dead whom I will; as he did raise up Jairus’s daughter, Mat 9:25, and the widow’s son, Luk 7:14, and Lazarus. Joh 11:43. This was one of those greater works, of which our Saviour spake in the former verse.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain On vv21–22 A third argument, proving Christ to be God, and…
A third argument, proving Christ to be God, and equal with the Father, is here produced? namely, his raising of the dead; he is joined with the Father in that work, and equal with him: As the Father quickeneth whom he pleaseth, so doth the Son quicken whom he will; that is, not as the Father’s instrument, but as a principal agent, by the same authority, with the like absolute freedom of will which the Father uses, being a sovereign and independant being as the father is: As the Father raiseth the dead, and quickeneth them, so the Son quickeneth whom he will. This is more than ever was said of any prophet or apostle, that he did such works at his will.
Learn hence, 1. That quickening or raising of the dead, is an act of omnipotency, and proper to God only: The Father raiseth the dead, and quickeneth them.
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2. That Christ’s power to raise the dead, as well as the father’s, is a proof of his equality with his Father, and an evidence of his being truly and really God; The Son quickeneth whom he will.
William Burkitt's Expository Notes on the New Testament (1700–1703) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv21–23 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and…
For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them,.... Which may be understood either spiritually of raising dead sinners from the death of sin, to a life of grace and holiness; and the rather, because it is expressed in the present tense "raiseth", and not "hath raised"; or naturally of raising those that are dead in a corporeal sense, and quickening them, as the widow of Sarepta's son by Elijah, and the Shunamite's son by Elisha:
even so the Son quickeneth whom he will; both in a spiritual sense, being the resurrection and the life, or the author of the resurrection from a moral death to a spiritual life, whose voice, in the Gospel, the dead in sin hear, and live; and in a natural sense, as in the above instances of Jairus's daughter, the widow of Naim's son, and Lazarus; and in the general resurrection, when at his voice, and word of power, all that are in their graves shall come forth, some to everlasting life, and some to everlasting damnation; and all this as he wills: he quickens, in a spiritual sense, whom he pleases, even as many as the Father has given him; and he will raise up to everlasting life, at the last day, whom he pleases, even as many as were made his care and charge, whom he has redeemed by his blood; and called by his grace. Now as the quickening of the dead is an act of almighty power, and this being exercised by the Son in a sovereign way, as is by his Father, it shows his proper deity, and full equality with the Father. The resurrection of the dead is here expressed by "quickening", as it frequently is by the Jews, who often speak of , "the quickening the dead", for the resurrection; so the Targumist on Zac 3:8, "in the quickening of the dead", "I will quicken thee"; see the Jerusalem Targum on Gen 29:26.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv21–23 For - He declares which are those greater works,…
For - He declares which are those greater works, raising the dead, and judging the world. The power of quickening whom he will follows from the power of judging. These two, quickening and judging, are proposed ver. 21, 22. The acquittal of believers, which presupposes judgment, is treated of ver. 24; the quickening some of the dead, ver. 25; and the general resurrection, ver. 28.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv21–23 Verse 21. As the Father raised up the dead]…
Verse 21. As the Father raised up the dead] This he did in the case of the widow's son at Sarepta, 1Kg 17:22, by the ministry of the Prophet Elijah. And again, in the case of the Shunamite's son, 2Kg 4:32-35, by the ministry of the Prophet Elisha.
The Son quickeneth whom he will.] He raiseth from death to life whomsoever he pleases. So he did, for he raised the ruler's daughter, Mr 5:35-42; the widow's son at Nain, Lu 7:11-15; and Lazarus, at Bethany, Joh 11:14-44.
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Whom he will. Here our Lord points out his sovereign power and independence; he gives life according to his own will - not being obliged to supplicate for the power by which it was done, as the prophets did; his own will being absolute and sufficient in every case.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v21 Joh 5:21-23. For as the Father raiseth up the…
Joh 5:21-23. For as the Father raiseth up the dead, &c. — Here he declares what are those greater works, namely, raising the dead and judging the world. These two, quickening and judging, are proposed, Joh 5:21-22. The acquittal of believers, which presupposes judgment, is treated of in Joh 5:24; the quickening some of the dead, Joh 5:25; and the general resurrection, Joh 5:28. For the Father judgeth no man — Without the Son; but he doth judge by that man whom he hath ordained, Act 17:31. That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father — Honour him as the Maker, Upholder, Redeemer, Saviour, Governor, and Judge of the world, and that either willingly, by yielding to him the homage of faith, love, and obedience, and so escaping condemnation, and attaining eternal life; or unwillingly, and so feeling the wrath of the Judge. This demonstrates the equality, or sameness, rather, of the Godhead of the Son and the Father. If our Lord were God only by office, or investiture, and not in the unity of the divine essence, he would not be honoured even as, that is, with the same honour as that wherewith the Father is honoured. He that honoureth not the Son — With the same equal honour, greatly dishonoureth the Father which sent him.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv21–23 As the Father raiseth up the dead - God…
As the Father raiseth up the dead - God has power to raise the dead. By his power it had been done in at least two instances - by the prophet Elijah, in the case of the son of the widow of Sarepta 1Ki 17:22, and by the prophet Elisha, in the case of the Shunamite’s son, 2Ki 4:32-35. The Jews did not doubt that God had power to raise the dead. Jesus here expressly affirms it, and says he has the same power.
Quickeneth them - Gives them “life.” This is the sense of the word “quickeneth” throughout the Bible.
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Even so - In the same manner. By the same authority and power. The power of raising the dead must be one of the highest attributes of the divinity. As Jesus affirms that he has the power to do this “in the same manner” as the Father, so it follows that he must be equal with God.
The Son quickeneth - Gives life to. This may either refer to his raising the dead from their graves, or to his giving spiritual life to those who are dead in trespasses and sins. The former he did in the case of Lazarus and the widow’s son at Nain, Joh 11:43-44; Luk 7:14-15. The latter he did in the case of all those who were converted by his power, and still does it in any instance of conversion.
Whom he will - It was in the power of Jesus to raise up any of the dead as well as Lazarus. It depended on his will whether Lazarus and the widow’s son should come to life. So it depends on his will whether sinners shall live. He has power to renew them, and the renewing of the heart is as much the result of his “will” as the raising of the dead.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv21–22 For as the Father ... giveth life, so also…
For as the Father ... giveth life, so also the Son giveth life to whom he will; where these words, to give life to whom he will, shew the power of the Son and of the Father to be equal. (Witham) --- Our Saviour here mentions the greater works he spoke of in the preceding verse; for it is much more wonderful that the dead should rise, than that the sick should recover their health. We are not to understand these words, as if they meant some were raised to life by the Father, and others by the Son; but that the Father raises those whom the Son raises. And lest any one should understand this, that the Father makes use of the Son as his minister, through whose means he raises the dead, he immediately adds, &c. (St. Augustine, Tract. xxi. in Joan.) --- We see the lovers of this temporal and perishable life, labour to the utmost of their power, I will not say to avoid death, but merely to prolong their frail existence. If, therefore, men labour with so much solicitude, if they strain every nerve to prolong their lives but for a few years; how foolish and blind to their interest must those be, who live in such a manner as to be deprived of the light of eternal day! (St. Augustine, De verb. Dei. Serm. 64.)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv21–23 raiseth the dead and quickeneth them--one act in two…
raiseth the dead and quickeneth them--one act in two stages. This is His absolute prerogative as God.
so the Son quickeneth them--that is, raiseth up and quickeneth.
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whom he will--not only doing the same divine act, but doing it as the result of His own will, even as the Father does it. This statement is of immense importance in relation to the miracles of Christ, distinguishing them from similar miracles of prophets and apostles, who as human instruments were employed to perform super-natural actions, while Christ did all as the Father's commissioned Servant indeed, but in the exercise of His own absolute right of action.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv21–23 21. Son quickeneth—As the Father is the bestower and…
21. Son quickeneth—As the Father is the bestower and restorer of life, so the Son, in his union with humanity, will exert the resurrection power.
Whom he will—This phrase implies no mere arbitrary exercise of will; for the will of Christ ever acts by most just reason and rule. Upon his wise will and power resurrection depends.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv21–23 21. raiseth up the dead] This is one of…
21. raiseth up the dead] This is one of the ‘greater works’ which the Father sheweth the Son, and which the Son imitates, the raising up those who are spiritually dead. Not all of them: the Son imparts life only to ‘whom He will:’ and He wills not to impart it to those who will not believe. The ‘whom He will’ would be almost unintelligible if actual resurrection from the grave were intended.
21–27. The Father imparts to the Son the power of raising the spiritually dead. It is very important to notice that ‘raising the dead’ in this section is figurative; raising from moral and spiritual death: whereas the resurrection (Joh_5:28-29) is literal; the rising of dead bodies from the graves. It is impossible to take both sections in one and the same sense, either figurative or literal. The wording of Joh_5:28 and still more of Joh_5:29 is quite conclusive against spiritual resurrection being meant there: what in that case could ‘the resurrection of damnation’ mean? Joh_5:24-25 are equally conclusive against a bodily resurrection being meant here: what in that case can ‘an hour is coming, and now is’ mean?
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21–29. The intimacy of the Son with the Father proved by the twofold power committed to the Son (a) of communicating spiritual life, (b) of causing the bodily resurrection of the dead.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv21–22 (21) The following verses (Joh_5:21-29) show what these greater…
(21) The following verses (Joh_5:21-29) show what these greater works are. They are the Resurrection and the judgment; but these are regarded as spiritual as well as physical, as present as well as future. Once again the background of the thought is to be found in Joh_5:17. Resurrection and Judgment were the work of the Father—“My Father worketh hitherto;” but the manifestation in limits of space and time is the work of the Son—“and I work.”
For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them.—The “them” after “quickeneth” is better omitted. The words are purposely general. Raising the dead and making alive are attributes of God. “He kills and He makes alive” (Deu_32:39). “He bringeth down to the underworld and bringeth up” (1Sa_2:6; Tob_13:2). “He has the power of life and death” (Wis_16:13). These the Son seeth the Father doing, and these also He doeth in like manner. He, too, has the power to quicken whom He will, and He useth that power. Deadened souls have felt it, and are living in the new-born life. There is in His word, for the man who hears it and believes it, a moral change which is nothing other than an actual passing out of death into life (Joh_5:24).
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv21–23 Vers. 21-26. Greater works: (1) the resurrection of the…
Vers. 21-26. Greater works: (1) the resurrection of the dead.
For (gar introduces an illustration, a proof of the previous assertion. viz. that the eternal love of the Son would issue in such new marvels) as the Father raiseth the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. This is the most exhaustive expression of the Father"s love and revelation to the Son. This thing the Son sees, and this same thing he will do, whether these Jews attempt to put any arrest upon his will or not. The majority of commentators regard vers. 21-27 as descriptive of the moral and spiritual resurrection of dead souls, and hold that a transition is made in vers. 28, 29 to the resurrection of dead bodies and the final consummation. There are some, however, who regard the whole passage even vers. 28, 29 as referring, with the previous verses, to moral resurrection, although the words, "in their tombs" (mnhmeioiv) are there added to give distinctness and explicitness to that future resurrection; and though "now is" of ver. 25 is not there predicated or repeated. Others (with many of the older expositors) refer the entire passage to the final resurrection, which, however, is incompatible with ver. 20 and with the "now is" of ver. 25. Others, again, see in ver. 21, in egeirei and zwopoiei , the whole process of resurrection and renewal, both physical and moral, bodily and spiritual. They suppose that in ver. 25 Christ refers first to the spiritual renovation, to be affirmed and consummated in the universal resurrection and judgment of the last day. The generality of the terms egeirei and zwopoiei , attributed to the Father, makes it possible that the Lord was referring to the numerous events of uplifting from the pit, from the lowest sheol, which formed the staple religious nutrition of the Jewish race. The history of Divine revelation is one lengthened series of interpositions and deliverances, of resurrections of the people of Israel, and of the theocracy from bondage, exile, and spiritual and civil death, and of references to the wonderful transformations of saints and prophets and kings from the depths of despair to the light of life and Divine favour. Ezekiel (Eze 37) had likened the most memorable of these resurrections to the uprising of a huge army from a valley of vision, strewn with the dry bones of both houses of Israel. "So also," says Jesus, "the Son quiekeneth." including under this term, it may be, the physical healing which is often the precursor and condition of spiritual awakening and moral health and vigour. The Son, the incarnate Logos, revealing himself on earth, both as Logos and Son of man, is now quickening after the same fashion whom he will. The will of Christ is in such entire harmony with the Father"s will that there is no rivalry here. The will of the Son is in spontaneous accord with the Divine purpose of resurrection and quickening. He is already doing thus here on earth, as the great organ of the Father, that which makes his will the revelation of the Father. There is no arbitrary decree, such as Calvin found here, nor such as Roues insists upon. The emphasis is simply upon the subject of the verb yelei ; and we have in the expression a vindication of the nineteenth verse, "The Son doeth that which he sees the Father doing." His own yelhma being the origin and revealed centre on earth of Divine manifestations.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain On v22 22, 23. That all men should honour the Son.…
22, 23. That all men should honour the Son. Three “fors” occur in the 20th, 21st and 22d verses, all stating the exaltation given to the Son.
B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On v21 The greater miracles:
The greater miracles:
v. 21. For as the Father raiseth up the dead and quickeneth them, even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
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v. 22. For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son,
v. 23. that all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honoreth not the Son honoreth not the Father which hath sent Him.
v. 24. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My Word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life.
v. 25. 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.
v. 26. For as the Father hath life in Himself, so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself;
v. 27. and hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.
Since the miracle and the words of Jesus had not yet convinced the Jews, He here points forward to two miracles which would put His claim to the Sonship of God beyond question. The Jews believed in the power of God to give life and to raise the dead, Deu 32:39; 1Sa 2:6; Isa 26:19. This work of the Father, to raise the dead and restore them to life, is the work of His independent will. And the same is true of the Son. He has absolute power over life and death; as the Author of life He has power to give life and being at will. His will is just as omnipotent as that of the Father. And the same holds true of another divine work. Since all sins are, in the last analysis, directed against God, it is He that judges and condemns; that is His function, His special work. But now He is not exercising the works of this power, but has given this authority, together with its execution, into the hands of the Son. He has thus openly affirmed the full equality, the unquestioned deity of the Son. The allotting of men to their eternal destinies is altogether in the hands of the Son. The statement is sweeping, it refers to all men, and without appeal. Truly, if such an unquestioned divine prerogative is given to the Son, then there can be no doubt as to His deity and as to the divine honor which is due Him. There is no difference between the honor given to the Father and that due to the Son. In honoring the Son, men honor the Father; in refusing to honor the Son, they incidentally take away the honor from the Father. For divine honor and glory belong to the Son.
With great solemnity and a double asseveration the Lord tries to drive home this truth. It is His purpose to give eternal life. That is the purpose and will of God with regard to all men in the world. And the conditions for the receiving of this gift are very simple. They are merely that a person hear His Word, the glorious, sweet message of the Gospel, and then believe in the Father, that sent Him into the world. It is not a question of obtaining eternal life at some later date, but of possessing it right now. The same thought is also expressed from the negative side, namely, that such a person does not come under condemnation. See Rom 8:11-34. By accepting the Word of the Gospel, the believer goes from spiritual death, which would have resulted in eternal death, into life, into the full possession of the life which Jesus brought out of the grave. He has entered into the blessed, intimate communion with God, into the fullness of the glorious life which this union implies. This thought the Lord brings out with equally solemn emphasis. The time which the Triune God had selected had come with the incarnation of Jesus; the great hour of Jesus for calling the spiritually dead back into life had struck. Many a member of the Jewish nation, many a person that was a true Israelite, even if not a descendant of Abraham, was hearing and obeying the voice of the Son of God, as He was proclaiming it with His own mouth. And by such hearing, by the accepting of the Gospel, all such persons were getting the gift of life as their safe possession. The Father has life in Himself; in the same manner, in the same degree, the Son has life in Himself. Christ, even according to His human nature, has received life as His absolute possession. The Son can give life, for He Himself is the Possessor of life, He is Life and the Fountainhead of life. That is one of the mysteries of the Trinity. And the final proof for the Son’s divine power and majesty is His authority to exercise and execute judgment. This authority is His in His capacity as Jesus Christ the man, as the God-man, as the Word of God Incarnate. Those who will not accept the life which He proclaims and offers in the Gospel, will come under the judgment of condemnation by their own fault. Jesus Christ, the Judge, will be obliged to pronounce the judgment of condemnation upon them. And all of this proves beyond all question that Jesus is true God, with unabridged and full divine powers.
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v21 Father ... Son
Father ... Son
These are important titles that describe the relationship between God and Jesus. (See: Translating Son and Father)
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life
This refers to "spiritual life."
For the Father judges no one, but he has given all judgment to the Son
The word "for" marks a comparison. The Son of God carries out judgment for God the Father. (See: Translating Son and Father)
honor the Son just as ... the Father. The one who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father
God the Son must be honored and worshiped just like God the Father. If we fail to honor God the Son, then we also fail to honor God the Father. (See: Translating Son and Father)
translationWords
God the Father
die
life
Son of God
judge
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv21–23 5:21 Most Jews firmly believed in resurrection but viewed…
5:21 Most Jews firmly believed in resurrection but viewed it as something God alone could accomplish. Jesus claimed that he gives life.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.