John 5:22

KJV

For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063}{G3761} the Father {G3962} judgeth {G2919} no man {G3762}, but {G235} hath committed {G1325} all {G3956} judgment {G2920} unto the Son {G5207}:

Complete Jewish Bible

The Father does not judge anyone but has entrusted all judgment to the Son,

Berean Standard Bible

Furthermore, the Father judges no one, but has assigned all judgment to the Son,

American Standard Version

For neither doth the Father judge any man, but he hath given all judgment unto the Son;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 5:22 reveals a foundational truth about the divine economy of salvation and judgment: the Father has entirely entrusted the weighty responsibility of final judgment to the Son. This declaration by Jesus underscores His unique authority and full deity, establishing Him not only as the giver of life but also as the ultimate arbiter of humanity's eternal destiny, a role traditionally attributed solely to God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This profound statement by Jesus is embedded within a larger discourse in [John 5](/john/5 "John 5 - Jesus' Authority and Judgment"), which begins with His controversial healing of a paralytic man at the pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath ([John 5:8-9](/john/5-8-9 "John 5:8-9 - Healing at Bethesda")). This act, combined with Jesus' command for the healed man to carry his mat, directly challenged the Jewish leaders' interpretation of Sabbath law. Their subsequent persecution of Jesus for "making himself equal with God" ([John 5:18](/john/5-18 "John 5:18 - Jesus' Claim to Equality with God")) prompts Jesus' detailed explanation of His intrinsic unity with the Father. He asserts that He does nothing independently but only what He observes the Father doing ([John 5:19](/john/5-19 "John 5:19 - Jesus' Dependence on the Father")), and that the Father loves the Son, showing Him all He does ([John 5:20](/john/5-20 "John 5:20 - The Father's Love for the Son")). This leads directly to the assertion in [John 5:21](/john/5-21 "John 5:21 - The Son Gives Life") that just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom He will, setting the immediate stage for the declaration of His authority in judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish thought firmly held that judgment was an exclusive prerogative of God. The Old Testament consistently portrays Yahweh as the supreme Judge, who discerns hearts, executes justice, and determines destiny (e.g., [Genesis 18:25](/genesis/18-25 "Genesis 18:25 - Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?"), [Psalm 9:7-8](/psalms/9-7-8 "Psalm 9:7-8 - The Lord Sits Enthroned as Judge")). Therefore, Jesus' claim to exercise "all judgment" would have been perceived by His Jewish audience as a direct assertion of divine authority, contributing significantly to their accusation of blasphemy. The concept of a Messiah who would also serve as a judge was present in some Jewish traditions (e.g., in texts like Daniel), but the direct, comprehensive nature of Jesus' claim here, especially in the context of His perceived Sabbath-breaking, was revolutionary and deeply provocative.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in John's Gospel. It reinforces the central theme of the **Deity of Christ**, unequivocally presenting Jesus as sharing in the Father's divine prerogatives. It also elaborates on the **Relationship between the Father and the Son**, highlighting a profound unity of purpose and action, where the Father actively delegates ultimate authority to the Son. Furthermore, it introduces the theme of **Jesus as the Ultimate Judge**, establishing His indispensable role in humanity's final accountability. This judicial authority is inextricably linked to His role as the **Giver of Life**, as seen in [John 5:21](/john/5-21 "John 5:21 - The Son Gives Life"), demonstrating that the one who has power over life also has power over eternal destiny. The discourse also emphasizes **Belief and Unbelief**, as the response to Jesus' claims of authority becomes the determining factor for judgment, as further explained in [John 5:24](/john/5-24 "John 5:24 - Hearing and Believing").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **For (Greek, _gár_):** This particle functions to provide a reason or explanation, linking the current statement to the preceding one. Here, it explains *why* the Son is to be honored just as the Father is honored (as stated in [John 5:23](/john/5-23 "John 5:23 - Honor the Son as the Father")), by revealing the Son's supreme role in judgment.
* **judgeth (Greek, _krínō_):** This verb signifies more than just condemning; it encompasses the full process of distinguishing, discerning, evaluating, deciding, and ultimately, passing sentence. In this context, it refers to the comprehensive divine act of determining guilt or innocence and assigning eternal destiny.
* **committed (Greek, _dídōmi_):** This verb means "to give," "to grant," or "to entrust." Its use here emphasizes a deliberate, authoritative, and complete transfer of responsibility and power from the Father to the Son concerning all aspects of judgment. It highlights the Father's active role in bestowing this immense authority upon Christ.
* **judgment (Greek, _krísis_):** This noun refers to the act or process of judging, a decision, or the resulting sentence. Coupled with "all" (_pâs_), it signifies the entirety and totality of divine judgment, encompassing every aspect and every individual.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the Father judgeth no man":** This clause emphatically states that the Father, while being the ultimate source of all authority and justice, does not directly execute the act of judgment upon humanity. This is not to say the Father is absent from judgment, but rather that He has chosen to exercise this specific function through the Son. It highlights a divine arrangement within the Godhead.
* **"but hath committed all judgment unto the Son":** This second clause reveals the divine delegation. The Father has actively and completely entrusted ("committed") the entire scope of judgment ("all judgment") to Jesus, the Son. This transfer of authority is absolute and comprehensive, meaning every individual will ultimately face the Son as their Judge. This commitment underscores the Son's unique qualification and central role in God's plan for humanity's final accountability.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Assertion** and **Contrast** to convey its profound theological truth. The assertion, "For the Father judgeth no man," sets up a clear premise, which is immediately followed by a contrasting truth introduced by "but," revealing the Father's active delegation of this solemn responsibility. This creates a powerful rhetorical effect, emphasizing the singular and comprehensive nature of the Son's judicial authority. Furthermore, the use of **Hyperbole** or **Totality** in "all judgment" underscores the absolute and universal scope of the Son's authority, leaving no aspect of judgment outside His purview. This is not merely a partial delegation but a complete entrustment of the ultimate divine prerogative.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 5:22 is a cornerstone for understanding the unified yet distinct roles within the Godhead and the unparalleled authority of Jesus Christ. It reveals that the Father, in His sovereign wisdom, has chosen to channel His divine prerogative of judgment through the Son. This delegation is not a diminishment of the Father's power but an exaltation of the Son, demonstrating the Father's absolute trust in the Son's perfect righteousness, justice, and knowledge. The Son, being fully God, is uniquely qualified to execute this judgment, as He fully understands both divine holiness and human frailty, having experienced both. This verse establishes the ultimate accountability of all humanity before Christ and underscores the critical importance of one's response to Him.

* [Acts 17:31](/acts/17-31 "Acts 17:31 - God Has Appointed a Day of Judgment")
* [2 Corinthians 5:10](/2_corinthians/5-10 "2 Corinthians 5:10 - We Must All Appear Before the Judgment Seat of Christ")
* [Matthew 25:31-33](/matthew/25-31-33 "Matthew 25:31-33 - The Son of Man Judging the Nations")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The truth that "all judgment" has been committed to the Son carries immense weight and profound implications for every person. For those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ, this truth offers deep comfort and assurance. Our Judge is also our Savior, the one who bore the judgment for our sins on the cross. We are not judged by a distant, unknown entity, but by the one who intimately knows us, loves us, and has redeemed us. This understanding should foster a spirit of confident trust and humble gratitude. For those who have not yet acknowledged Jesus as Lord, this verse serves as a sober warning and a clear call to repentance. It underscores the urgency of responding to Christ's offer of salvation, for there will be no appeal beyond His final verdict. Our eternal destiny hinges on our relationship with the Son, to whom the Father has entrusted everything. Therefore, living a life that honors Christ, characterized by obedience, love, and witness, becomes our appropriate response to this divine reality.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the truth that Jesus is the ultimate Judge impact your understanding of His authority and deity?**
* **In what ways does knowing that your Judge is also your Savior bring you comfort or challenge?**
* **What practical implications does this verse have for how you live your life and share your faith with others?**
* **How does this verse deepen your appreciation for the unity and distinct roles within the Trinity?**

### FAQ

**Why does the Father "judge no man" if He is God?**

Answer: The phrase "the Father judgeth no man" does not imply that the Father is absent from the process of judgment or that He is not ultimately sovereign over it. Rather, it signifies a divine arrangement within the Godhead where the Father has chosen to exercise His judicial authority *through* the Son. This delegation highlights the Father's perfect trust in the Son and the Son's unique qualification to execute judgment. It's a matter of divine economy and roles, not a lack of power or involvement on the Father's part. The Father initiates, empowers, and directs, but the Son is the active agent in applying that judgment, particularly because He is the one who became flesh and lived among humanity, fully understanding both divine righteousness and human experience.

**What does "all judgment" entail?**

Answer: "All judgment" (Greek, _pâs krísis_) signifies the complete and comprehensive authority over every aspect of humanity's final accountability. This includes the discernment of hearts, the evaluation of deeds, the pronouncement of guilt or innocence, and the assignment of eternal destiny (whether eternal life or condemnation). It encompasses both the judgment of believers (often referred to as the judgment seat of Christ, as in [2 Corinthians 5:10](/2_corinthians/5-10 "2 Corinthians 5:10 - We Must All Appear Before the Judgment Seat of Christ")) and the judgment of unbelievers (as depicted in passages like [Revelation 20:11-15](/revelation/20-11-15 "Revelation 20:11-15 - The Great White Throne Judgment")). There is no aspect of humanity's eternal standing that falls outside the Son's delegated authority.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 5:22 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus, who uniquely bridges the gap between divine holiness and human sinfulness. As the Son of God, He possesses the inherent divine authority to judge, yet as the Son of Man, He perfectly understands the human condition. The Father's commitment of "all judgment" to the Son is a profound act of divine wisdom, ensuring that the Judge is also the one who has provided the means of salvation. Jesus' first advent was not primarily to condemn the world, but to save it ([John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - God Did Not Send His Son to Condemn the World")). However, His second advent will be marked by the full exercise of this judicial authority, when He will return as the righteous Judge to separate the sheep from the goats ([Matthew 25:31-33](/matthew/25-31-33 "Matthew 25:31-33 - The Son of Man Judging the Nations")) and to execute justice upon the earth ([Revelation 19:11](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11 - The Rider on the White Horse")). Thus, the very one who offered Himself as the atoning sacrifice for sin on the cross ([Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Propitiation by His Blood")) is the one before whom every knee will ultimately bow and every tongue confess ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow")). This truth underscores the absolute necessity of responding to Jesus in faith, for He is not only the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")) but also the righteous Judge who will determine eternal destinies.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 5:27

And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

Acts 17:31

Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by [that] man whom he hath ordained; [whereof] he hath given assurance unto all [men], in that he hath raised him from the dead.

Matthew 28:18

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

2 Corinthians 5:10

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body, according to that he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad.

Acts 10:42

And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God [to be] the Judge of quick and dead.

John 9:39

¶ And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.

Romans 2:16

In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.