John 5:25-29

John 5:25-29
A Women’s Lectionary – Fifth Sunday of Easter

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25 “Very truly,A I tell you, the hourB is coming,C and isD now here,

Notes on verse 25a

A “very truly” = amen + amen. From Hebrew amen (verily, truly, amen, truth, so be it, faithfulness); from aman (to believe, endure, fulfill, confirm, support, be faithful, put one’s trust in, be steadfast. Figuratively, this is to be firm, steadfast, or faithful, trusting, believing, being permanent, morally solid). This word is literally firmness, but figuratively fidelity, faithfulness, honesty, responsibility, trust, truth, steadfastness. Properly, it is to be sure, certain, or firm. This is a word of emphasis indicating that something crucial follows.
B “hour” = hora. This is a set time or period, an hour, instant, or season. This is where the word “hour” comes from.
C “coming” = erchomai. This is to come or go.
D “is” = eimi. This is to be or exist.

when the deadE will hearF the voiceG of the SonH of God,I and those who hear will live.J 

Notes on verse 25b

E “dead” = nekros. Perhaps from nekus (corpse). This is dead or lifeless, mortal, corpse. It can also be used figuratively for powerless or ineffective. It is where the word “necrotic” comes from.
F “hear” = akouo. This is hear or listen, but it also means to understand by hearing. This is where the word “acoustics” comes from.
G “voice” = phone. Probably from phemi (to declare, say, use contrasts in speaking to shed light on one point of view); {from phao (to shine) or phaino (to bring light, cause to appear, shine, become visible or clear). This is a voice, sound, tone or noise. It can also be a language or dialect.
H “Son” = Huios. This is son, descendant – a son whether natural born or adopted. It can be used figuratively for other forms of kinship.
I “God” = Theos. From Proto-Indo-European origins, meaning do, put, place. This is God or a god in general.
J “live” = zao. This is to live literally or figuratively. It is used for life including the vitality of humans, plants, and animals – it is life physical and spiritual and life everlasting.

26 For just as the FatherK has lifeL in himself, so he has grantedM the Son also to have life in himself;  27 and he has givenN him authorityO

Notes on verses 26-27a

K “Father” = Pater. This is father in a literal or figurative sense. Could be elder, senior, ancestor, originator, or patriarch.
L “life” = zoe. Related to “life” in v25. From zao (see note J above). This is life including the vitality of humans, plants, and animals – it is life physical and spiritual and life everlasting.
M “granted” = didomi. To give, offer, place, bestow, deliver. This is give in a literal or figurative sense.
N “given” = didomi. Same as “granted” in v26. See note M above.
O “authority” = exousia. Related to “is” in v25. From exesti (to be permitted or lawful); {from ek (out, out of) + eimi (see note D above)}. This is power to act or weight. It especially denotes moral authority or influence. It can mean domain, liberty, freedom, capacity, mastery, right, force, or strength.

to executeP judgment,Q because he is the Son of Man.R 

Notes on verse 27b

P “execute” = poieo. This is to make, do, act, construct, abide, or cause.
Q “judgment” = krisis. From krino (to judge, decide, think good, condemn, determine, pass judgment, stand trial, sue; judging whether in court or in a private setting; properly, mentally separating or distinguishing an issue – to come to a choice or decision, to judge positively or negatively in seeking what is right or wrong, who is innocent or guilty; can imply trying, condemning, punishing, or avenging). This is a judging or a sentence. It is often used of God’s judgment, but can also be any accusation or condemnation. This is where the word “crisis” comes from.
R “Man” = anthropos. Probably from aner (man, male, husband) + ops (eye, face); {from optanomai (to appear, be seen); perhaps from horao (become, seem, appear)}. This is human, humankind. Used for all genders.

28 Do not be astonishedS at this; for the hour is coming when allT who are in their gravesU will hear his voice 

Notes on verse 28

S “be astonished” = thaumazo. From thauma (a wonder or marvel; used abstractly for wonderment or amazement; something that evokes emotional astonishment); may be from theaomai (to behold, look upon, see, contemplate, visit); from thaomai (to gaze at a spectacle; to look at or contemplate as a spectator; to interpret something in efforts to grasp its significance). This is to marvel, wonder, or admire. To be amazed out of one’s senses or be awestruck. Being astonished and starting to contemplate what was beheld. This root is where the word “theatre” comes from.
T “all” = pas. This is all or every.
U “graves” = mnemeion. From mousikos (to remember); from mneme (memory or mention); from mnaomai (to remember; by implication give reward or consequence); perhaps from meno (to stay, abide, wait, endure). This is properly a memorial – a tomb, grave, monument.

29 and will come outV—those who have doneW good,X to the resurrectionY of life, and those who have doneZ evil,AA to the resurrection of condemnation.BB

Notes on verse 29

V “come out” = ekporeuomai. From ek (from, from out of) + poreuomai (to go, travel, journey, die; refers to transporting things from one place to another; focuses on the personal significance of the destination); {from poros (passageway)}. This is to go forth, depart from, be spoken, flow out, project. This word emphasizes the result a process or passage – how it impacts the person or thing.
W “done” = poieo. Same as “execute” in v27. See note P above.
X “good” = agathos. This is good, a benefit, or a good thing. It is good by its very nature, intrinsically good. A different word, kalos, refers to external signs of goodness.
Y “resurrection” = anastasis. From anistemi (to raise up, rise, appear; to stand up literally or figuratively. Can also mean to resurrect); from ana (upwards, up, again, back, anew) + histemi (to make to stand, place, set up, establish, appoint, stand by, stand still, stand ready, stand firm, be steadfast). This is literally standing up or standing again. It is used figuratively for recovering a spiritual truth. It can be raising up, rising, or resurrection.
Z “done” = prasso. This is to do or practice – something done on an on-going basis or by habit. It can also mean to accomplish, attend, or commit.
AA “evil” = phaulos. 6x in NT. This is bad, worthless, or foul. Figuratively, it can mean wicked or evil.
BB “condemnation” = krisis. Same as “judgment” in v27. See note Q above.


Image credit: “Christ as Pantokrator.” Photo by Jennifer Mei, 2012.

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