John 5:25

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.

Verily {G281}, verily {G281}, I say {G3004} unto you {G5213},{G3754} The hour {G5610} is coming {G2064}, and {G2532} now {G3568} is {G2076}, when {G3753} the dead {G3498} shall hear {G191} the voice {G5456} of the Son {G5207} of God {G2316}: and {G2532} they that hear {G191} shall live {G2198}.

Yes, indeed! I tell you that there is coming a time — in fact, it’s already here — when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who listen will come to life.

Truly, truly, I tell you, the hour is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.

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.

John 5:25 (KJV) is a profound declaration by Jesus Christ, asserting His unique authority over life and death, particularly in the spiritual realm. This verse introduces a critical aspect of His ministry: His power to awaken the spiritually dead and grant them new life.

Context

This verse comes during a significant discourse following Jesus' healing of an invalid at the Pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath (John 5:1-9). This act, and His subsequent claim to be working with God the Father, stirred great opposition from the Jewish leaders who sought to kill Him (John 5:18). In response, Jesus elaborates on His divine relationship with the Father and His shared authority, especially regarding judgment and the giving of life. John 5:25 sets the stage for a deeper explanation of both spiritual and future physical resurrection.

Key Themes

  • Jesus' Divine Authority: The phrase "Verily, verily, I say unto you" (Amen, Amen in Greek) underscores the absolute truth and divine authority behind Jesus' words. He speaks not as a prophet, but as the Son of God, possessing power co-equal with the Father.
  • Spiritual Resurrection: The primary meaning of "the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God" refers to a spiritual awakening. Those who are "dead" are not physically deceased, but are spiritually alienated from God due to sin (Ephesians 2:1). Jesus' voice, representing His Gospel message and divine call, has the power to quicken these souls, bringing them from spiritual death to spiritual life.
  • Immediate and Future Reality: "The hour is coming, and now is" highlights the dual nature of Christ's life-giving power. "Now is" points to the present reality of spiritual transformation available through faith in Him. "The hour is coming" anticipates the future, ultimate resurrection of the physically dead, which Jesus later explains in John 5:28-29.
  • The Power of Christ's Voice: Those who "hear" His voice in this context implies not just auditory reception, but an obedient and receptive faith that leads to new life. Just as He called Lazarus from the tomb (John 11:43), His spiritual call brings spiritual resurrection.

Linguistic Insights

The emphatic double "Verily, verily" (Greek: Amen, Amen) is unique to John's Gospel and signifies the profound importance and divine certainty of Jesus' statement. It demands absolute attention and belief. The term "dead" (Greek: nekroi) here is used metaphorically for those in a state of spiritual separation from God, emphasizing their inability to respond to God without divine intervention. "Hear" (Greek: akousō) implies not merely hearing sound, but understanding and responding with faith, a theme echoed in Jesus' teaching about His sheep hearing His voice (John 10:27).

Practical Application

John 5:25 offers immense hope and a clear challenge. For those who acknowledge their spiritual deadness, Jesus' voice offers the promise of immediate and eternal life. It reminds us that spiritual transformation is not achieved through human effort but through responding to the divine call of Christ. This verse encourages believers to continually listen to and obey His voice, living out the new life He has provided. It also serves as a foundational verse for understanding the Gospel's power to bring spiritual awakening to a world lost in sin.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 5:28

    Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

  • Ephesians 5:14

    Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

  • Ephesians 2:5

    Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

  • John 4:23

    But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

  • Colossians 2:13

    ¶ And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

  • Revelation 3:1

    And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

  • John 8:47

    He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear [them] not, because ye are not of God.

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