John 5:27

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} hath given {G1325} him {G846} authority {G1849} to execute {G4160} judgment {G2920} also {G2532}, because {G3754} he is {G2076} the Son {G5207} of man {G444}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Also he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.

Berean Standard Bible

And He has given Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man.

American Standard Version

and he gave him authority to execute judgment, because he is a son of man.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 5:27 reveals a profound aspect of Jesus' divine authority, asserting that the Father has specifically commissioned the Son to execute judgment. This unique delegation is directly tied to Jesus' identity as the "Son of Man," highlighting His dual nature as both fully divine and fully human, making Him uniquely qualified to preside over the ultimate reckoning of humanity. This verse underscores the foundational truth that all will stand before Christ, who embodies perfect righteousness and understanding.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a critical discourse where Jesus defends His actions and claims of divine authority against Jewish leaders who were persecuting Him. The immediate preceding verses establish the Father's comprehensive delegation of authority to the Son: the Son gives life to whom He wills ([John 5:21](/john/5-21 "John 5:21 - The Son Gives Life")), and the Father has committed all judgment to the Son so that all may honor the Son as they honor the Father ([John 5:22-23](/john/5-22-23 "John 5:22-23 - All Judgment Committed to the Son")). John 5:27 specifically reiterates and grounds this judicial authority in Jesus' unique incarnate identity, setting the stage for His subsequent declarations about the resurrection of the dead and the two distinct judgments based on one's response to Him ([John 5:28-29](/john/5-28-29 "John 5:28-29 - Resurrection and Judgment")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' discourse in [John 5](/john/5 "John 5 - Healing at Bethesda and Jesus' Authority") occurs after He healed a man on the Sabbath at the Pool of Bethesda, an act that provoked intense opposition from the Jewish authorities. Their anger escalated when Jesus claimed God as His "own Father," thereby making Himself equal with God ([John 5:18](/john/5-18 "John 5:18 - Jesus' Claim to Equality with God")). In the Jewish worldview, judgment was an exclusive prerogative of God. Jesus' claim to execute judgment was thus perceived as blasphemous unless it was indeed a direct, divinely sanctioned delegation. The title "Son of Man" held significant messianic and apocalyptic connotations in Second Temple Judaism, particularly from [Daniel 7:13-14](/daniel/7-13-14 "Daniel 7:13-14 - The Son of Man Receiving Dominion"), where a human-like figure receives everlasting dominion and judgment authority from the Ancient of Days.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme in [John 5](/john/5 "John 5 - Jesus' Authority") is Jesus' **divine authority** and **equality with the Father**, particularly as it pertains to **life and judgment**. This chapter emphasizes that the Father and Son work in perfect unity and that the Son's actions are not independent but fully aligned with the Father's will. The delegation of judgment to the Son highlights His unique role as the ultimate arbiter of humanity's destiny. Furthermore, the recurring motif of the **"Son of Man"** underscores Jesus' true humanity, His solidarity with mankind, and simultaneously His supreme, divinely appointed messianic role as the eschatological judge, bridging the gap between divine prerogative and human experience.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **given (Greek, _dídōmi'_):** This verb signifies a purposeful and deliberate act of bestowing or granting. In this context, it emphasizes that Jesus' authority is not inherent to His humanity but is a specific, divine commission from the Father. It highlights the Father's active role in delegating this immense power, underscoring the unity and purpose within the Godhead.
* **authority (Greek, _exousía'_):** This term denotes not merely power (dynamis) but the right, privilege, and legitimate warrant to exercise that power. It implies a sanctioned, rightful jurisdiction. Jesus' authority to judge is therefore not usurped but divinely conferred, making His judgment perfectly legitimate and binding.
* **man (Greek, _ánthrōpos'_):** While "Son of Man" is a Christological title, the underlying word `ánthrōpos` refers to a human being, emphasizing Jesus' full and true humanity. This humanity is presented as the very reason for His qualification to judge: as one who has fully experienced the human condition, He possesses perfect empathy, understanding, and righteousness to judge justly.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And hath given him authority to execute judgment also":** This clause reiterates the Father's active role in delegating the judicial function to Jesus, building upon the declaration in [John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - All Judgment Committed to the Son"). The phrase "execute judgment" (from Greek _poiéō krísis_) signifies the active carrying out of the judicial process, not just the right to judge. The inclusion of "also" (Greek _kaí_) connects this authority to His previously stated power to give life, implying that these two roles—giving life and executing judgment—are intrinsically linked and part of the same divine commission.
* **"because he is the Son of man":** This pivotal phrase provides the rationale for the Father's delegation of judgment to Jesus. It is not merely because He is divine, but precisely because He has taken on human flesh and experienced the human condition. This title, Jesus' most frequent self-designation, connects Him to the prophetic figure in [Daniel 7:13-14](/daniel/7-13-14 "Daniel 7:13-14 - The Son of Man Receiving Dominion and Judgment"), who receives universal dominion and judgment from God. It highlights Jesus' unique qualification: as one who fully understands human frailties, temptations, and suffering, He can judge with perfect righteousness, empathy, and justice.

#### Literary Devices
John 5:27 employs several significant literary devices. The primary one is **Christological Titling**, specifically the use of "Son of Man." This title is rich with Old Testament allusions, particularly to [Daniel 7:13-14](/daniel/7-13-14 "Daniel 7:13-14 - The Son of Man Receiving Dominion"), where the figure receives dominion and judgment. By applying this title to Himself, Jesus simultaneously emphasizes His true humanity (as a "son of man") and His divine, eschatological authority as the appointed judge and ruler. There is also an element of **Paradox** in the verse: the one who came to save is also the one appointed to judge. This seemingly contradictory dual role highlights the comprehensive nature of Jesus' mission and authority. Furthermore, the verse demonstrates **Delegated Authority**, emphasizing that Jesus' power to judge is not self-assumed but divinely bestowed by the Father, underscoring the unity and hierarchical order within the Godhead.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 5:27 profoundly shapes our understanding of God's justice and the ultimate destiny of humanity. It establishes Jesus Christ as the central figure in the eschatological judgment, a role traditionally reserved for God alone. The Father's delegation of this authority to the Son, specifically because He is the "Son of Man," reveals God's perfect wisdom: the judge of all humanity will be one who has fully entered into and experienced the human condition, ensuring a judgment that is not only perfectly righteous but also perfectly empathetic and just. This truth compels all people to consider their relationship with Christ, as their eternal standing depends on their response to Him as both Savior and Judge.

* [Matthew 25:31-34](/matthew/25-31-34 "Matthew 25:31-34 - The Son of Man Judges the Nations")
* [Acts 17:30-31](/acts/17-30-31 "Acts 17:30-31 - God Commands Repentance and Appoints a Judge")
* [2 Timothy 4:1](/2_timothy/4-1 "2 Timothy 4:1 - Christ Jesus, Who Is to Judge the Living and the Dead")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 5:27 calls us to a profound reverence for Jesus Christ, recognizing Him not only as our Savior but also as our ultimate Judge. This understanding should inspire a deep sense of accountability for how we live our lives and how we respond to His call. For those who have placed their faith in Him, this verse offers immense comfort, knowing that the one who judges them is not a distant, unfeeling deity, but the "Son of Man" who understands human frailties, having experienced them firsthand. His judgment is therefore perfectly just, compassionate, and righteous. For those who have not yet surrendered to Christ, this verse serves as a sober warning and an urgent invitation: the time to accept His saving grace is now, before the day when He sits on the judgment seat. Our eternal destiny hinges on our response to Jesus in this life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' identity as the "Son of Man" uniquely qualify Him to execute judgment?**
* **What implications does Jesus' role as ultimate Judge have for how I live my daily life?**
* **How does the knowledge that Jesus is both Savior and Judge shape my understanding of God's character?**

### FAQ

**Why is Jesus called "Son of Man" in this context, and what does it signify about His authority to judge?**

Answer: The title "Son of Man" (Greek: _huios tou anthrōpou_) is Jesus' most frequent self-designation in the Gospels, and it is profoundly significant in [John 5:27](/john/5-27 "John 5:27 - Jesus' Authority to Judge"). It carries a dual meaning. First, it emphasizes Jesus' true and full humanity, affirming His solidarity with mankind. He is truly a human being, having experienced life, temptation, and suffering as we do. Second, and crucially for this verse, it is an apocalyptic and messianic title derived from [Daniel 7:13-14](/daniel/7-13-14 "Daniel 7:13-14 - The Son of Man Receiving Dominion and Judgment"). In Daniel's vision, "one like a son of man" comes with the clouds of heaven and is given everlasting dominion, glory, and a kingdom, to which all peoples, nations, and languages shall serve Him. This figure is clearly depicted as an eschatological judge. Therefore, when Jesus calls Himself the "Son of Man" and claims authority to judge, He is simultaneously asserting His perfect humanity (which enables Him to judge with perfect understanding and empathy) and His divine, messianic role as the appointed, sovereign Judge of all creation, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 5:27 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies the divine prerogative of judgment within His incarnate humanity. The Father's decision to grant judgment authority to the "Son of Man" is a profound act of divine wisdom and justice, ensuring that the one who judges humanity is also the one who fully understands humanity's plight, having taken on flesh and dwelt among us ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). His resurrection from the dead is the ultimate vindication of His claims and the Father's appointment, serving as God's guarantee that He is indeed the one appointed to judge the living and the dead ([Acts 17:31](/acts/17-31 "Acts 17:31 - God Has Appointed a Day of Judgment")). Ultimately, the authority to judge is inextricably linked to His redemptive work; those who believe in Him have already passed from death to life and will not come into judgment for condemnation ([John 5:24](/john/5-24 "John 5:24 - Passing from Death to Life")), while those who reject Him will face Him as the righteous Judge, before whom every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Jesus' Exaltation and Lordship")). His final return will usher in the full manifestation of this judicial authority, as described in passages like [Revelation 20:11-15](/revelation/20-11-15 "Revelation 20:11-15 - The Great White Throne Judgment").

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

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 5:22

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

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.

Daniel 7:13

I saw in the night visions, and, behold, [one] like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.

Daniel 7:14

And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion [is] an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom [that] which shall not be destroyed.

1 Peter 3:22

Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

1 Corinthians 15:25

For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.