For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to think of "judgment" as solely about punishment, but here, it's directly tied to Jesus' power to give life. Those He doesn't quicken are, by that very act, left in the state of death they already chose, showing judgment as a consequence of not receiving His life-giving power. The Father entrusting all judgment to the Son underscores their unity and the Son's supreme authority.
For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just healed a man on the Sabbath, and the Jewish leaders are furious, seeking to kill him. Jesus responds by explaining that his power comes directly from the Father, just like his ability to give life. This verse clarifies that this divine authority extends to judgment as well, demonstrating the Son's equal partnership with the Father.
Jesus says the Father doesn't judge. Wait, isn't God the ultimate judge? This verse clarifies a profound truth about God's divine order.
The verse begins with a powerful statement: 'For not even the Father judges anyone.' This might seem surprising at first! We know God is sovereign and will ultimately judge. However, Jesus is revealing the way God operates within the Trinity. The Father, in His perfect love and wisdom, has entrusted the complete authority and execution of judgment to the Son. This isn't because the Father is unable or unwilling to judge, but because it's part of their divine unity and purpose. This assignment underscores the Son's supreme authority and His integral role in God's plan.
What if judgment isn't just about punishment, but about discerning and assigning life?
The power to judge is directly linked to the power to give life, as established in the verses around this one (John 5:21). The Son 'quickeneth whom he will' – He brings life to those He chooses. Those He does not choose to bring life to are, by that very fact, left in their state of spiritual death. Therefore, the 'judgment' here isn't solely about condemnation, but about the Son's active decree, separating those who will receive eternal life from those who will not. It's a consequence of His life-giving power, not a separate act.
Why is it so crucial that all honor the Son? This verse reveals a deep connection between Father and Son.
Ask a follow-up
The ultimate purpose behind the Father giving all judgment to the Son is stated plainly: 'so that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father.' This isn't a secondary benefit; it's the reason. To truly honor the Father means to honor the Son. Rejecting or disrespecting the Son is, in effect, rejecting and disrespecting the Father who sent Him. This highlights the perfect unity and equality within the Godhead. Honoring Jesus isn't optional for those who claim to honor God; it's the very expression and proof of their devotion to the Father.
Understand the original words
Patēr · Greek Noun
The first person of the Trinity, the source of all things, who reveals himself through His Son and is the object of worship and obedience.
krisis · Greek Noun
The act of evaluating, distinguishing, or rendering a verdict; in a theological sense, it refers to God's righteous assessment of human actions, motives, and hearts, leading to rewards or punishment.
Huios · Greek Noun
The second person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ, who is eternally equal with the Father, the Agent of creation, and the Savior of the world.
timaō · Greek Verb
To show reverence, value, or esteem; in a biblical context, it implies recognizing the divine authority, deity, and glory due to God or His appointed Representative.
apostellō · Greek Verb
The state of being sent with authority; in the New Testament, it signifies Jesus’ divine commission by the Father to accomplish the work of salvation.
This verse establishes the foundational principle that the Judge of all the earth must do what is just, setting the stage for understanding the fairness and righteousness of God's judgment, which is now fully entrusted to the Son.
Deuteronomy 18:18This prophecy anticipates a prophet like Moses whom God would raise up and put His words in his mouth, directly foreshadowing the Son's authority to speak and judge as God's ultimate messenger.
Acts 17:31This passage explicitly states that God has appointed a day to judge the world through a man He has ordained, directly linking to the Son's role as the appointed judge established in John 5:22.
1 Corinthians 15:25This verse speaks of Christ reigning until He has put all His enemies under His feet, highlighting the ongoing process of His sovereign authority and judgment over all things, which aligns with the Father giving all judgment to the Son.
2 Corinthians 5:10This verse explains that believers must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, reinforcing the Son's ultimate authority to judge all humanity, as delegated by the Father.
ellicottJohn 5:22: "For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:"
(22) For the Father judgeth no man. —Better, For not even doth the Father judge any man; and if not the Father, to whom judgment belongs, then none other but the Son to whom He hath committed all judgment. To judge (comp. John 5:29 ) is the opposite of to quicken in the previous verse. The fact that the Son hath power to judge is correlative with His power to quicken whom He will. The spiritual life given…
vincentJohn 5:22: "For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:"
For the Father (οὐδὲ γὰρ ὁ πατὴρ)The A.V. misses the climax in οὐδὲ; not even the Father, who might be expected to be judge.Hath committed (δέδωκεν)Rev., given. The habitual word for the bestowment of the privileges and functions of the Son. See John 5:36; John 3:35; John 6:37, John 6:39; John 10:29, etc.All judgment (τὴν κρίσιν πᾶσαν)Literally, the judgment wholly.
It's easy to think of "judgment" as solely about punishment, but here, it's directly tied to Jesus' power to give life. Those He doesn't quicken are, by that very act, left in the state of death they already chose, showing judgment as a consequence of not receiving His life-giving power. The Father entrusting all judgment to the Son underscores their unity and the Son's supreme authority.
Jesus has just healed a man on the Sabbath, and the Jewish leaders are furious, seeking to kill him. Jesus responds by explaining that his power comes directly from the Father, just like his ability to give life. This verse clarifies that this divine authority extends to judgment as well, demonstrating the Son's equal partnership with the Father.
Jesus has just healed a man on the Sabbath, and the Jewish leaders are furious, seeking to kill him. Jesus responds by explaining that his power comes directly from the Father, just like his ability to give life. This verse clarifies that this divine authority extends to judgment as well, demonstrating the Son's equal partnership with the Father.
"For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 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." — It's easy to think of "judgment" as solely about punishment, but here, it's directly tied to Jesus' power to give life. Those He doesn't quicken are, by that very act, left in the state of death they…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026