John 5:28

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Marvel {G2296} not {G3361} at this {G5124}: for {G3754} the hour {G5610} is coming {G2064}, in {G1722} the which {G3739} all {G3956} that are in {G1722} the graves {G3419} shall hear {G191} his {G846} voice {G5456},

Complete Jewish Bible

Don’t be surprised at this; because the time is coming when all who are in the grave will hear his voice

Berean Standard Bible

Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice

American Standard Version

Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 5:28 is a profound declaration by Jesus Christ, asserting His absolute authority over life and death, culminating in a future, universal physical resurrection. Following His assertion of divine equality and power to give life and execute judgment, Jesus anticipates the astonishment of His audience, assuring them that a definite time is approaching when every person who has died will hear His authoritative voice and be called forth from their tombs. This verse serves as a cornerstone of Christian eschatology, highlighting the comprehensive scope of Christ's power and the certainty of a future bodily resurrection for all humanity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a pivotal discourse by Jesus in Jerusalem, immediately following the healing of a paralytic at the Pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath. When challenged by Jewish leaders for this Sabbath-day healing, Jesus defends His actions by declaring His unique relationship with God the Father, stating, "My Father is working until now, and I am working" [John 5:17](/john/5-17 "Jesus' Equality with God"). This claim of divine authority and equality with God escalates the conflict, prompting Jesus to elaborate on the Father's delegation of all judgment and life-giving power to the Son [John 5:22-23](/john/5-22-23 "The Father Judges No One, but Has Given All Judgment to the Son"). He first speaks of a spiritual resurrection—a transition from spiritual death to life for those who hear His word and believe [John 5:24-25](/john/5-24-25 "Spiritual Resurrection for Believers")—before transitioning in verse 28 to the physical, universal resurrection of all humanity, which sets the stage for the subsequent judgment described in [John 5:29](/john/5-29 "Resurrection to Life or Condemnation").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' declaration of a universal resurrection would have been a significant statement within the diverse Jewish theological landscape of His time. While the Pharisees believed in a bodily resurrection, the Sadducees famously denied it [Matthew 22:23](/matthew/22-23 "Sadducees Deny the Resurrection"). Jesus' teaching here affirms the Pharisaic view but elevates it by grounding the power of resurrection directly in His own divine authority, not merely as a future act of God, but as an act mediated by the Son. The concept of "graves" (Greek _mnēmeîon_) refers to tombs or memorial places, reflecting the common practice of burying the dead in sepulchers or caves, often outside city limits. The expectation of a future "hour" (Greek _hṓra_) for such a momentous event resonates with apocalyptic and eschatological expectations prevalent in Jewish thought, but Jesus uniquely positions Himself as the agent of this cosmic event.
* **Key Themes:** John 5:28 contributes significantly to several major themes in the Gospel of John and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores **Jesus' Divine Authority and Sovereignty over Life and Death**. Jesus, as the Son, is not merely a prophet but possesses the inherent power to command the dead to rise, a power traditionally attributed solely to God. Secondly, the verse emphasizes the **Certainty and Universality of the Future Resurrection**. The phrase "all that are in the graves" leaves no room for exception, asserting that every human being who has died will experience a bodily resurrection, a foundational truth for Christian eschatology. Lastly, it highlights the **Power of Christ's Voice**. Just as God spoke creation into existence, and Jesus spoke Lazarus from the tomb [John 11:43](/john/11-43 "Jesus Calls Lazarus from the Tomb"), His voice is the irresistible, life-giving force that will trigger this ultimate awakening, demonstrating His ultimate dominion.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Marvel (Greek, _thaumázō_):** From G2296, meaning "to wonder; by implication, to admire." In this context, Jesus uses the imperative "Marvel not" (Greek _mḗ thaumázete_, combining G2296 and G3361) to preempt any astonishment or disbelief from His listeners regarding the extraordinary claim He is about to make. It conveys a sense of "do not be surprised" or "do not be amazed," indicating the absolute certainty and divine nature of the impending event.
* **Graves (Greek, _mnēmeîon_):** From G3419, meaning "a remembrance, i.e., cenotaph (place of interment); grave, sepulchre, tomb." This term specifically refers to the physical resting places of the deceased, emphasizing that the resurrection Jesus speaks of is a bodily one, bringing forth those who have physically died and been buried. It underscores the tangible and corporeal nature of this future event, not merely a spiritual awakening.
* **Voice (Greek, _phōnḗ_):** From G5456, meaning "a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication, an address (for any purpose), saying or language." In this context, "his voice" signifies the authoritative command and irresistible power of Jesus Christ. It is not merely an audible sound but the divine summons that possesses the power to impart life and overcome the dominion of death, echoing the creative and life-giving power of God's word throughout Scripture.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Marvel not at this:"** Jesus anticipates the profound astonishment or disbelief that His preceding claims—especially His authority over life and judgment—and the following declaration of a universal resurrection would evoke. This phrase serves as an emphatic assurance, urging His listeners not to be surprised because what He is about to state is an absolute certainty, a divinely ordained future event.
* **"for the hour is coming,"** This phrase introduces the reason for not marveling. "The hour" (Greek _hṓra_, G5610) denotes a specific, appointed time, emphasizing that this event is not a vague possibility but a definite, predetermined moment in God's redemptive plan. The verb "is coming" (Greek _érchomai_, G2064) signifies an active, approaching reality, conveying the imminence and certainty of this eschatological event.
* **"in the which all that are in the graves"** This clause defines the scope and subjects of the coming event. "All" (Greek _pâs_, G3956) stresses the universal nature of this resurrection, encompassing every human being who has ever lived and died. "That are in the graves" (Greek _en tois mnēmeíois_, G1722 and G3419) specifically refers to those who are physically deceased and interred, clarifying that this is a bodily resurrection, not merely a spiritual one. It includes both the righteous and the unrighteous, setting the stage for the subsequent distinction in [John 5:29](/john/5-29 "Resurrection of Life and Resurrection of Condemnation").
* **"shall hear his voice,"** This final clause identifies the agent and the means of this universal resurrection. "His voice" refers to the authoritative, life-imparting command of Jesus Christ. The verb "shall hear" (Greek _akoúō_, G191) denotes not just passive reception of sound, but an active, responsive hearing that results in action—in this case, being raised from the dead. It underscores Jesus' ultimate power and dominion over death, as His divine voice is the irresistible force that will call forth all humanity.

#### Literary Devices
John 5:28 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Anticipation** is evident in Jesus' opening command, "Marvel not at this," where He directly addresses the expected astonishment of His audience, thereby asserting the absolute certainty of His declaration. The phrase "the hour is coming" is a form of **Eschatological Language**, pointing to a future, divinely appointed time that is both certain and imminent, a common motif in biblical prophecy. The declaration that "all that are in the graves shall hear his voice" utilizes **Hyperbole** to emphasize the universal scope of the resurrection, encompassing every deceased individual without exception. Furthermore, "his voice" functions as **Metonymy**, where the "voice" stands for the divine authority and irresistible power of Jesus Christ. It is not merely an audible sound, but the potent, life-giving command that will effect the resurrection.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 5:28 stands as a pivotal declaration of Christ's ultimate authority, not only over spiritual life but also over physical death. It reveals a foundational truth of Christian eschatology: the certainty of a future, universal bodily resurrection for all humanity, both righteous and unrighteous. This resurrection is not a mere possibility but a definite, appointed "hour" initiated by the irresistible "voice" of the Son of God. This profound truth offers immense hope to believers, assuring them that death is not the final word, while simultaneously establishing the basis for universal accountability and judgment, as all will be raised to face Christ.

* [Daniel 12:2](/daniel/12-2 "Resurrection to Everlasting Life and Contempt")
* [1 Corinthians 15:52](/1_corinthians/15-52 "The Resurrection at the Last Trumpet")
* [Revelation 20:13](/revelation/20-13 "The Sea, Death, and Hades Give Up Their Dead")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 5:28 invites profound reflection on the sovereignty of Jesus Christ and the ultimate destiny of humanity. For the believer, this verse is a wellspring of immense comfort and hope. It assures us that physical death, though a painful reality, is not the end. Our loved ones who have died in Christ are not lost forever; they await the powerful summons of His voice. This truth transforms our perspective on mortality, imbuing it with the promise of future reunion and glorification. It also reinforces the call to live with an eternal perspective, knowing that our earthly lives are but a prelude to a bodily resurrection and subsequent judgment. For those who have not yet placed their faith in Christ, this verse serves as a solemn warning: a universal resurrection means universal accountability. Every person will stand before Christ, either to enter into eternal life or to face eternal condemnation, underscoring the urgency of responding to His life-giving voice now.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the certainty of a universal resurrection, as declared by Jesus, impact your view of death and the afterlife?**
* **In what ways does Jesus' authority over the "graves" strengthen your trust in His power over all aspects of life and eternity?**
* **Considering that "all that are in the graves shall hear his voice," how does this truth influence your urgency in sharing the Gospel with others?**

### FAQ

**Does John 5:28 refer to a spiritual resurrection or a physical one?**

Answer: John 5:28 refers specifically to a physical, bodily resurrection. Jesus distinguishes this from the spiritual resurrection He spoke of earlier in [John 5:24-25](/john/5-24-25 "Spiritual Life for Believers"), which describes believers passing from spiritual death to spiritual life in the present. The phrase "all that are in the graves" (Greek _mnēmeîon_) explicitly points to those who are physically deceased and buried, indicating that their bodies will be raised. This physical resurrection is universal, encompassing both the righteous and the unrighteous, as clarified in the subsequent verse, [John 5:29](/john/5-29 "Resurrection to Life or Condemnation").

**What does "Marvel not at this" signify in Jesus' statement?**

Answer: "Marvel not at this" (Greek _mḗ thaumázete_) is Jesus' way of anticipating and addressing the profound astonishment or disbelief His audience might feel regarding His extraordinary claim. He has just asserted His divine authority to give life and execute judgment, and now He declares His power to raise all the dead. By saying "Marvel not," Jesus is not suggesting that the event is insignificant, but rather that it is an absolute certainty, a divinely ordained truth that should be accepted without surprise, despite its incredible nature. It underscores the unwavering confidence Jesus has in His own power and the Father's plan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 5:28 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Himself, who is declared to be "the resurrection and the life" [John 11:25](/john/11-25 "Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life"). This verse is a powerful foreshadowing of Christ's triumph over death, a victory supremely demonstrated in His own bodily resurrection from the grave [Luke 24:6-7](/luke/24-6-7 "He is Not Here, but Is Risen!"). Having conquered death personally, Jesus possesses the unique authority to call forth all humanity from their tombs. He holds "the keys of Death and Hades" [Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Jesus Holds the Keys of Death and Hades"), signifying His complete dominion over the grave. The "voice" that will summon the dead is the voice of the one who was dead and is now alive forevermore, ensuring that the universal resurrection will be a direct act of His sovereign power. This future event, described in passages like [1 Corinthians 15](/1_corinthians/15 "The Resurrection of Christ and Believers") and [Philippians 3:20-21](/philippians/3-20-21 "Our Citizenship and Glorified Bodies"), is the ultimate demonstration of Christ's reign and the culmination of God's redemptive plan, where all things are brought into subjection under His feet.

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

Revelation 20:12

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

1 Thessalonians 4:14

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

1 Thessalonians 4:17

Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Isaiah 26:19

Thy dead [men] shall live, [together with] my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew [is as] the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

1 Corinthians 15:42

So also [is] the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:

1 Corinthians 15:54

So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

Job 19:25

For I know [that] my redeemer liveth, and [that] he shall stand at the latter [day] upon the earth: