John 5:25

John 5:25, in plain English

Jesus says the time is coming and is already here when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.

Why it's here

He is talking about people who are spiritually dead coming alive when they hear His voice. This is not just about the future; it is happening right now.

Who's speaking

Jesus declares that His voice has the power to bring the dead to life, both spiritually now and physically in the future.

Where it sits in the story

Every time someone hears Jesus and believes, a resurrection happens. Not just someday at the end of time, but right now. His voice has the power to wake up what has been dead inside you.

The scholarly reading

The 'hour is coming and has now come' (erchetai hōra kai nun estin) describes realized eschatology: the dead (nekroi) hear the Son of God's voice and live. This likely refers primarily to spiritual resurrection (being raised from spiritual death through faith) rather than physical resurrection.

Language and setting

The phrase 'has now come' distinguishes this verse from verse 28, which describes a purely future physical resurrection. The present spiritual awakening through hearing Jesus' voice is already happening during His ministry.

Voice

Jesus describes the present reality of spiritual resurrection through hearing and believing His voice.

Significance

The resurrection is not only a future event; it is happening now. Every time someone hears Jesus' voice and believes, a person passes from spiritual death to spiritual life. The power that will one day open graves is already opening hearts.

23so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

24Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life.

25Truly, 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.

26For as the Father has life in Himself, so also He has granted the Son to have life in Himself.

27And He has given Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man.

Read all of John 5 — A man who has been an invalid for thirty-eight years is told to pick up his mat and walk. The Pharisees are more concerned about the day of the week.