Joh 5:19-29 | NET2full | STEP | So Jesus answered them , “I tell you the solemn truth , the Son can do nothing on his own initiative, but only what he sees the Father doing . For whatever the Father does , the Son does likewise .

‏ John 5:19-29

19 So Jesus answered them, ^{▼▼tn Grk “answered and said to them.”} “I tell you the solemn truth, ^{▼▼tn Grk “Truly, truly, I say to you.”} the Son can do nothing on his own initiative, ^{▼▼tn Grk “nothing from himself.”} but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father ^{▼▼tn Grk “that one”; the referent (the Father) has been specified in the translation for clarity.} does, the Son does likewise. ^{▼▼sn What works does the Son do likewise? The same that the Father does—and the same that the rabbis recognized as legitimate works of God on the Sabbath (see note on working in v. 17). (1) Jesus grants life (just as the Father grants life) on the Sabbath. But as the Father gives physical life on the Sabbath, so the Son grants spiritual life (John 5:21; note the “greater things” mentioned in v. 20). (2) Jesus judges (determines the destiny of people) on the Sabbath, just as the Father judges those who die on the Sabbath because the Father has granted authority to the Son to judge (John 5:22-23). But this is not all. Not only has this power been granted to Jesus in the present; it will be his in the future as well. In v. 28 there is a reference not to spiritually dead (only) but also physically dead. At their resurrection they respond to the Son as well.} 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he does, and will show him greater deeds than these, so that you will be amazed. 21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, ^{▼▼tn Grk “and makes them live.”} so also the Son gives life to whomever he wishes. ^{▼▼tn Grk “the Son makes whomever he wants to live.”} 22 Furthermore, the Father does not judge ^{▼▼tn Or “condemn.”} anyone, but has assigned ^{▼▼tn Or “given,” or “handed over.”} all judgment to the Son, 23 so that all people ^{▼▼tn Grk “all.” The word “people” is not in the Greek text but is supplied for stylistic reasons and for clarity (cf. KJV “all men”).} will honor the Son just as they honor the Father. The one who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.

24 “I tell you the solemn truth, ^{▼▼tn Grk “Truly, truly, I say to you.”} the one who hears ^{▼▼tn Or “obeys.”} my message ^{▼▼tn Or “word.”} and believes the one who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned, ^{▼▼tn Grk “and does not come into judgment.”} but has crossed over from death to life. 25 I tell you the solemn truth, ^{▼▼tn Grk “Truly, truly, I say to you.”} a time ^{▼▼tn Grk “an hour.”} is coming—and is now here—when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For just as the Father has life in himself, thus he has granted the Son to have life in himself, 27 and he has granted the Son ^{▼▼tn Grk “him.”} authority to execute judgment ^{▼▼tn Grk “authority to judge.”} because he is the Son of Man.

28 “Do not be amazed at this because a time ^{▼▼tn Grk “an hour.”} is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and will come out—the ones who have done what is good to the resurrection resulting in life, and the ones who have done what is evil to the resurrection resulting in condemnation. ^{▼▼tn Or “a resurrection resulting in judgment.”}