A Study of John's Gospel

John 5:28-30: Jesus Will Resurrect Everyone

A study of John 5:28-30

"Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. "I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me."

‭‭John‬ ‭5‬:‭28‬-‭30‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Definitions of the original language in the context of this passage:

-Marvel: "θαυμάζετε", "thaumazete"; verb, present, active, imperative, second person, plural - to wonder, wonder at, marvel.

-Is Coming: "ἔρχεται", "erchetai"; verb, present, either middle or passive, indicative, third person, singular - come, arrive.

-Will Hear: "ἀκούσουσιν", "akousousin"; verb, future, active, indicative, third person, plural - to perceive the distinct words of a voice.

-Come Out: "ἐκπορεύσονται", "ekporeusontai"; verb, future, middle, indicative, third person, plural - come or go out; to come forth: of the dead who are restored to life and leave the tomb (John 5:29).

-Good: "ἀγαθὰ", "agatha"; adjective, accusative, plural, neuter - good.

-Resurrection: "ἀνάστασιν", "anastasin"; noun, accusative, singular, feminine - a rising from the dead; that of all humans at the end of the present age: a resurrection of life for some, and a resurrection of judgment for others.

-Of Life: "ζωῆς", "zōēs"; noun, genitive, singular, feminine - life real and genuine, vita quae sola vita nominanda (Cicero, de sen. 21, 77), a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by new accessions (among them a more perfect body), and to last forever; to be obtained in fellowship with Christ.

-Evil: "φαῦλα", "phaula"; adjective, accusative, plural, neuter - bad, evil, worthless.

-Of Judgment: "κρίσεως", "kriseōs"; noun, genitive, singular, feminine - the last judgment, the damnation of the wicked.

-Just: "δικαία", "dikaia"; adjective, nominative, singular, feminine - righteous, just; In a narrower sense, rendering to each his due; and that in a judicial sense, passing just judgment on others, whether expressed in words or shown by the manner of dealing with them. Christ executes the laws of his government, and therefore also the law concerning the pardon of sins.

-Will: "θέλημα", "thelēma"; noun, accusative, singular, neuter - what one wishes or has determined shall be done (i. e. objectively, thing willed).

Observation/Summary (short explanation of what the passage says in your own words):

As Jesus explained His authority to execute judgment and to give eternal life in accordance with His judgment because He is the God of the universe, He told those who heard not to marvel at what He said. However, because what He just said was quite remarkable, He repeats again that the time is coming when all who are dead and buried will hear His voice and rise again. Some will be resurrected to eternal life in Him, and others will be resurrected to face judgment for the evil they have done. Jesus then makes it clear again that He is not acting solely in His own will, but rather, in perfect unity with the will of the One who sent Him: God the Father. And He also emphasizes the fact that His judgment is just. He is an impartial and incorruptible judge.

Implication (what does this mean to us):

In verse 28 Jesus says, "Do not marvel at this...". And He is telling the listener not to marvel or be amazed at what He just said about possessing life within Himself to give or take, and also His authority to judge the whole earth because He is the God of all the universe. More than that even, He is telling them not to marvel at what He said in verse 25 about how "the hour is coming, and is now here" when the dead will hear His voice and live. In that verse Jesus was referring to those who are spiritually dead in sin hearing His voice, responding in repentance and faith, and receiving new spiritual life. This is what is happening still today as people come to faith in Jesus, and it is what will continue to happen until Jesus returns.