The Meaning of John 5:25 Explained

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.

YLT: Verily, verily, I say to you -- There cometh an hour, and it now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and those having heard shall live;

Darby: Verily, verily, I say unto you, that an hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that have heard shall live.

ASV: Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour cometh, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that hear shall live.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does John 5:25 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Jesus continued to describe what believers will experience in the future fully that they already experience now in measure (cf. John 4:23), namely, resurrection life. We will experience it in the future physically, but we experience it now spiritually (cf. Romans 6:13). Jesus" word gives believers spiritual life now, and it will raise the dead in the future (cf. John 5:28-29; John 11:43).

Context Summary

John 5:19-29 - The Father Working Through The Son
The relationship of our Lord to the Father was such that He felt Himself competent to fulfill all the functions of the Divine Being. Is it God's prerogative to raise the dead? It is also Jesus Christ's. The Son quickeneth whom He will, John 5:21. Is it the divine right to be the judge of man? It is also the Redeemer's right. See John 5:22. Is it the peculiar attitude of God to be the fountain of life, so that life, inherent, underived, and perennial, is ever arising in His nature, sustaining here an angel and there a humming-bird? This is also an attribute of our blessed Lord. So hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself, John 5:26. The entire sum of the attributes of Deity are resident in the nature of the Son of man. But though all divine attributes were his, and might have been called into operation, He forebore to use them, that He might learn the life of dependence and faith, the life which was to become ours towards Himself. He did nothing apart from the Father, John 5:19, etc. No vine ever clung more closely to its trellis, and no child to its mother, than He to the Father. See Galatians 2:20; Hebrews 12:2. [source]

Chapter Summary: John 5

1  Jesus on the Sabbath day cures him who was diseased thirty-eight years
10  The Jews therefore object, and persecute him for it
17  He answers for himself, and reproves them, showing by the testimony of his Father,
31  of John,
36  of his works,
39  and of the Scriptures, who he is

Greek Commentary for John 5:25

And now is [και νυν εστιν]
See John 4:23 for this phrase. Not the future resurrection in John 5:28, but the spiritual resurrection here and now. The dead The spiritually dead, dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1, Ephesians 2:5; Ephesians 5:14). Shall hear the voice of the Son of God Note three genitives Note three articles (correlation of the article) and that Jesus here calls himself “the Son of God” as in John 10:36; John 11:4. Shall live Future active indicative, shall come to life spiritually. [source]
The dead []
Spiritually. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 5:25

John 1:34 I have seen [εωρακα]
Present perfect active of οραω — horaō John repeats the statement of John 1:32 Have borne witness Perfect active indicative of μαρτυρεω — martureō for which verb see John 1:32. This is the Son of God The Baptist saw the Spirit come on Jesus at his baptism and undoubtedly heard the Father‘s voice hail him as “My Beloved Son” (Mark 1:11; Matthew 3:17; Luke 3:22). Nathanael uses it as a Messianic title (John 1:49) as does Martha (John 11:27). The Synoptics use it also of Christ (Mark 3:11; Matthew 14:33; Luke 22:70). Caiaphas employs it to Christ as a Messianic title (Matthew 26:63) and Jesus confessed under oath that he was (verse Matthew 26:64), thus applying the term to himself as he does in John‘s Gospel (John 5:25; John 10:36; John 11:4) and by implication (the Father, the Son) in Matthew 11:27 (Luke 10:22). Hence in the Synoptics also Jesus calls himself the Son of God. The phrase means more than just Messiah and expresses the peculiar relation of the Son to the Father (John 3:18; John 5:25; John 17:5; John 19:7; John 20:31) like that of the Logos with God in John 1:1. [source]
John 4:21 Believe me [πιστευε μοι]
Correct text. Present active imperative. Unique phrase in place of the common αμην αμην — amēn amēn (verily, verily). The hour cometh “There is coming an hour.” The same idiom occurs also in John 4:34; John 5:25, John 5:28; John 16:2, John 16:25, John 16:32. Neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem The worship of God will be emancipated from bondage to place. Both Jews and Samaritans are wrong as to the “necessity” “These ancient rivalries will disappear when the spirituality of true religion is fully realized.” Jesus told this sinful woman one of his greatest truths. [source]
John 5:24 Hath eternal life [εχει ζωην αιωνιον]
Has now this spiritual life which is endless. See John 3:36. In John 5:24, John 5:25 Jesus speaks of spiritual life and spiritual death. In this passage (John 5:21-29) Jesus speaks now of physical life and death, now of spiritual, and one must notice carefully the quick transition. In Revelation 20:14 we have the phrase “the second death” with which language compare Revelation 20:4-6. But hath passed out of death into life Perfect active indicative of μεταβαινω — metabainō to pass from one place or state to another. Out of spiritual death into spiritual life and so no judgment (κρισις — krisis). [source]
John 4:23 And now is [και νυν εστιν]
See this same phrase in John 5:25. This item could not be added in John 4:21 for local worship was not abolished, but spiritual independence of place was called for at once. So contrast John 5:25, John 5:28; John 16:25, John 16:32. The true worshippers See John 1:9 for αλητινος — alēthinos (genuine). Προσκυνητης — Proskunētēs is a late word from προσκυνεω — proskuneō to bow the knee, to worship, occurs here only in N.T., but is found in one pre-Christian inscription (Deissmann, Light, etc., p. 101) and in one of the 3rd century a.d. (Moulton & Milligan, Vocabulary). In spirit and truth This is what matters, not where, but how (in reality, in the spirit of man, the highest part of man, and so in truth). All this is according to the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:5) who is the Spirit of truth (John 16:13). Here Jesus has said the final word on worship, one needed today. Seeketh The Father has revealed himself in the Son who is the truth (John 14:6, John 14:9). It does matter whether we have a true conception of God whom we worship. To be his worshippers Rather, “seeks such as those who worship him” (predicate accusative articular participle in apposition with τοιουτους — toioutous (such). John pictures the Father as seeking worshippers, a doctrine running all through the Gospel (John 3:16; John 6:44; John 15:16; 1 John 4:10). [source]
Hebrews 9:27 It is appointed [αποκειται]
Present middle (or passive) of αποκειμαι — apokeimai “is laid away” for men. Cf. same verb in Luke 19:20; Colossians 1:5; 2 Timothy 4:8 (Paul‘s crown). Once to die Once for all to die, as once for all to live here. No reincarnation here. After this cometh judgment Death is not all. Man has to meet Christ as Judge as Jesus himself graphically pictures (Matt 25:31-46; John 5:25-29). [source]
1 John 2:18 The last hour [ἐσχάτη ὥρα]
The phrase only here in the New Testament. On John's use of ὥρα houras marking a critical season, see John 2:4; John 4:21, John 4:23; John 5:25, John 5:28; John 7:30; John 8:20; John 11:23, John 11:27; John 16:2, John 16:4, John 16:25, John 16:32. The dominant sense of the expression last days, in the New Testament, is that of a period of suffering and struggle preceding a divine victory. See Acts 2:17; James 5:3; 1 Peter 1:20. Hence the phrase here does not refer to the end of the world, but to the period preceding a crisis in the advance of Christ's kingdom, a changeful and troublous period, marked by the appearance of “many antichrists.” [source]
1 John 2:18 It is the last hour [εσχατη ωρα εστιν]
This phrase only here in N.T., though John often uses ωρα — hōra for a crisis (John 2:4; John 4:21, John 4:23; John 5:25, John 5:28, etc.). It is anarthrous here and marks the character of the “hour.” John has seven times “the last day” in the Gospel. Certainly in 1 John 2:28 John makes it plain that the παρουσια — parousia might come in the life of those then living, but it is not clear that here he definitely asserts it as a fact. It was his hope beyond a doubt. We are left in doubt about this “last hour” whether it covers a period, a series, or the final climax of all just at hand. [source]
1 John 3:1 Hath bestowed [δεδωκεν]
Perfect active indicative of διδωμι — didōmi state of completion, “the endowment of the receiver” (Vincent).That we should be called (ινα κλητωμεν — hina klēthōmen). Sub-final use of ινα — hina with the first aorist passive subjunctive of καλεω — kaleō to call or name, as in Matthew 2:23.Children As in John 1:12 and with an allusion to γεγεννηται — gegennētai in 1 John 2:29 in an effort “to restore the waning enthusiasm of his readers, and to recall them to their first love” (Brooke).And such we are (και εσμεν — kai esmen). “And we are.” A parenthetical reflection characteristic of John (και νυν εστιν — kai nun estin in John 5:25 and και ουκ εισιν — kai ouk eisin in Revelation 2:2; Revelation 3:9) omitted by Textus Receptus, though, in the old MSS.Because it knew him not Second aorist active indicative of γινωσκω — ginōskō precisely the argument in John 15:18. [source]
1 John 3:1 Children [τεκνα]
As in John 1:12 and with an allusion to γεγεννηται — gegennētai in 1 John 2:29 in an effort “to restore the waning enthusiasm of his readers, and to recall them to their first love” (Brooke).And such we are (και εσμεν — kai esmen). “And we are.” A parenthetical reflection characteristic of John (και νυν εστιν — kai nun estin in John 5:25 and και ουκ εισιν — kai ouk eisin in Revelation 2:2; Revelation 3:9) omitted by Textus Receptus, though, in the old MSS.Because it knew him not Second aorist active indicative of γινωσκω — ginōskō precisely the argument in John 15:18. [source]
1 John 3:1 And such we are [και εσμεν]
“And we are.” A parenthetical reflection characteristic of John (και νυν εστιν — kai nun estin in John 5:25 and και ουκ εισιν — kai ouk eisin in Revelation 2:2; Revelation 3:9) omitted by Textus Receptus, though, in the old MSS. [source]
Revelation 2:8 Is alive [ἔζησεν]
Lit., lived. Rev., properly, lived again; the word being used of restoration to life. See, for a similar usage, Matthew 9:18; John 5:25. [source]
Revelation 11:18 The time of the dead to be judged [ο καιρος των νεκρων κριτηναι]
For this use of καιρος — kairos see Mark 11:13; Luke 21:24. By “the dead” John apparently means both good and bad (John 5:25; Acts 24:21), coincident with the resurrection and judgment (Mark 4:29; Revelation 14:15.; Revelation 20:1-15). The infinitive κριτηναι — krithēnai is the first aorist passive of κρινω — krinō epexegetic use with the preceding clause, as is true also of δουναι — dounai (second aorist active infinitive of διδωμι — didōmi), to give. [source]
Revelation 11:18 Thy wrath came [ηλτεν η οργη σου]
Second aorist active indicative of ερχομαι — erchomai the prophetic aorist again. The Dies Irae is conceived as already come.The time of the dead to be judged (ο καιρος των νεκρων κριτηναι — ho kairos tōn nekrōn krithēnai). For this use of καιρος — kairos see Mark 11:13; Luke 21:24. By “the dead” John apparently means both good and bad (John 5:25; Acts 24:21), coincident with the resurrection and judgment (Mark 4:29; Revelation 14:15.; Revelation 20:1-15). The infinitive κριτηναι — krithēnai is the first aorist passive of κρινω — krinō epexegetic use with the preceding clause, as is true also of δουναι — dounai (second aorist active infinitive of διδωμι — didōmi), to give.Their reward This will come in the end of the day (Matthew 20:8), from God (Matthew 6:1), at the Lord‘s return (Revelation 22:12), according to each one‘s work (1 Corinthians 3:8).The small and the great (τους μικρους και τους μεγαλους — tous mikrous kai tous megalous). The accusative here is an anacoluthon and fails to agree in case with the preceding datives after δουναι τον μιστον — dounai ton misthon though some MSS. have the dative τοις μικροις — tois mikrois etc. John is fond of this phrase “the small and the great” (Revelation 13:16; Revelation 19:5, Revelation 19:18; Revelation 20:12).To destroy First aorist active infinitive of διαπτειρω — diaphtheirō carrying on the construction with καιρος — kairos Note τους διαπτειροντας — tous diaphtheirontas “those destroying” the earth (corrupting the earth). There is a double sense in διαπτειρω — diaphtheirō that justifies this play on the word. See Revelation 19:2. In 1 Timothy 6:5 we have those “corrupted in mind” God will destroy the destroyers (1 Corinthians 3:16.). [source]
Revelation 14:7 Fear God [ποβητητε τον τεον]
First aorist passive (deponent) imperative of ποβεομαι — phobeomai here transitive with the accusative as in Luke 12:5. It is a call to judgment with no hope offered except by implication (Acts 14:15.).Give him glory (δοτε αυτωι δοχαν — dote autōi doxan). Second aorist active indicative of διδωμι — didōmi For the phrase see Revelation 11:13.The hour is come Second aorist (prophetic use) active indicative of ερχομαι — erchomai Common idiom in John‘s Gospel (John 2:4; John 4:21, John 4:23; John 5:25, John 5:28; John 7:30, etc.).Worship (προσκυνησατε — proskunēsate). First aorist active imperative of προσκυνεω — proskuneō with the dative case. Solemn call to the pagan world to worship God as Creator (Revelation 4:11; Revelation 10:6), as in Psalm 96:6; Acts 14:15. For “the fountains of waters” see Revelation 8:10. [source]
Revelation 14:7 The hour is come [η ωρα ηλτεν]
Second aorist (prophetic use) active indicative of ερχομαι — erchomai Common idiom in John‘s Gospel (John 2:4; John 4:21, John 4:23; John 5:25, John 5:28; John 7:30, etc.).Worship (προσκυνησατε — proskunēsate). First aorist active imperative of προσκυνεω — proskuneō with the dative case. Solemn call to the pagan world to worship God as Creator (Revelation 4:11; Revelation 10:6), as in Psalm 96:6; Acts 14:15. For “the fountains of waters” see Revelation 8:10. [source]

What do the individual words in John 5:25 mean?

Truly I say to you that is coming an hour and now is when the dead will hear the voice of the Son - of God those having heard will live
Ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι ἔρχεται ὥρα καὶ νῦν ἐστιν ὅτε οἱ νεκροὶ ἀκούσουσιν τῆς φωνῆς τοῦ Υἱοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ οἱ ἀκούσαντες ζήσουσιν

Ἀμὴν  Truly 
Parse: Hebrew Word
Root: ἀμήν  
Sense: firm.
λέγω  I  say 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: λέγω 
Sense: to say, to speak.
ὑμῖν  to  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
ὅτι  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ὅτι  
Sense: that, because, since.
ἔρχεται  is  coming 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Middle or Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἔρχομαι  
Sense: to come.
ὥρα  an  hour 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: ὥρα  
Sense: a certain definite time or season fixed by natural law and returning with the revolving year.
νῦν  now 
Parse: Adverb
Root: νῦν  
Sense: at this time, the present, now.
νεκροὶ  dead 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: νεκρός  
Sense: properly.
ἀκούσουσιν  will  hear 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: ἀκουστός 
Sense: to be endowed with the faculty of hearing, not deaf.
φωνῆς  voice 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: φωνή  
Sense: a sound, a tone.
τοῦ  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Υἱοῦ  Son 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: υἱός  
Sense: a son.
τοῦ  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Θεοῦ  of  God 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
οἱ  those 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀκούσαντες  having  heard 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀκουστός 
Sense: to be endowed with the faculty of hearing, not deaf.
ζήσουσιν  will  live 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: ζάω  
Sense: to live, breathe, be among the living (not lifeless, not dead).