“Truly, truly, I say to you, 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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is not just talking about a future event; he's emphasizing that this power to bring spiritual life is already at work right now. Those who are "dead" in their sin can already hear his voice and receive life through him, not just in a future resurrection, but in this very moment.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, 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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is responding to the Jewish leaders who are questioning His authority after He healed a man on the Sabbath. He's asserting His divine power, explaining that just as the Father gives life, He also gives life, and that He is executing judgment as the Son of Man. This verse is the beginning of His explanation of His authority and the coming resurrection, contrasting the spiritual resurrection that is already happening with the future physical resurrection.
Jesus says an hour is coming, 'and is now here.' What does this 'now' tell us about spiritual life? It's not just a future hope, but a present reality!
Jesus powerfully declares that the moment of spiritual awakening is not solely a future event, but is actively happening now through His ministry.
A Present Power
When Jesus says, 'the hour... is now here,' He's pointing to the immediate, tangible impact of His voice on those spiritually dead. This isn't just about a general promise for the end times, but a present-day reality.
More Than Physical Restoration
While Jesus did raise people from physical death (like Lazarus), the primary focus here is spiritual death – being separated from God by sin. The 'hearing' that leads to 'life' is an obedient response to Christ's call, not just an auditory experience.
The Gospel's Life-Giving Force
The 'voice of the Son of God' refers to the message of the Gospel. When this message is heard with a willing heart, it awakens the soul from its spiritual slumber, initiating a life that is truly alive in God.
Not everyone who hears will live. What's the crucial difference? It's about how we hear and whose voice we truly recognize.
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Jesus distinguishes between merely hearing His voice and truly 'hearing' in a way that leads to life. This isn't passive reception, but an active, obedient response.
The Nature of Spiritual Hearing
Jesus uses 'hear' in a profound, spiritual sense. It signifies more than just the physical act of sound entering the ear. It implies understanding, internalizing, and responding with faith and obedience.
Active Response, Not Just Awareness
Calvin points out that 'they that hear shall live' implies those who 'give ear thereto.' This active engagement with Christ's voice is what sets apart those who receive life from those who remain spiritually dead.
Recognizing the Divine Authority
The 'voice of the Son of God' carries divine authority. When individuals truly hear it, they recognize its source and power, leading them to embrace the life offered. This is contrasted with simply hearing sounds that don't penetrate the heart.
Where does this life-giving power originate? Jesus reveals it's rooted in His unique relationship with the Father and His own divine nature.
Jesus connects the power to give life to His divine nature and His role as the conduit of God's own life-giving essence.
The Son as the Source
As Calvin explains, Jesus emphasizes that the Father has 'life in himself,' and has granted this same capacity to the Son. This means Christ isn't just a messenger; He is the source of life.
Divine Authority and Power
This life isn't bestowed as a borrowed gift but flows from Christ's inherent divine being. His voice carries the authority and power to overcome death because He is intrinsically linked to the Father, the ultimate Fountain of Life.
Manifested in Humanity
Crucially, this power is manifested through Jesus as the Son of Man. This means God's life-giving power isn't distant and inaccessible; it's embodied and available in Christ, bridging the gap between the divine and the human.
Understand the original words
Huios tou Theou · Greek Noun phrase
A designation of Jesus Christ, emphasizing His divine nature, authority, and unique relationship with God the Father as the promised Messiah.
This verse speaks primarily of spiritual resurrection. While Jesus did raise individuals from physical death during His ministry, the 'hour' mentioned here began with His public ministry and continues as His voice calls spiritually dead people to life through the Gospel.
c. AD 25-27— this verse
Jesus begins His public ministry
Jesus commences His Galilean ministry, teaching in synagogues and performing miracles. This marks the beginning of the 'hour' when His life-giving voice can awaken the spiritually dead.
c. AD 27
Raising of Jairus' daughter
Jesus raises Jairus' daughter from the dead, demonstrating His power over physical death. This event foreshadows His greater power over spiritual death and the future resurrection.
c. AD 27
Raising of the widow's son at Nain
Jesus raises the widow's son at Nain, a public display of His authority. This event, like Jairus' daughter, shows His power over physical death but is distinct from the spiritual awakening described in John 5:25.
c. AD 30
Raising of Lazarus
Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead after he had been in the tomb for four days. This powerful miracle further illustrates Jesus' authority over death and foreshadows the general resurrection.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Passion, Death, and Resurrection
Jesus is crucified, dies, and is resurrected. His resurrection is the ultimate victory over death and the foundation for the spiritual life He offers.
c. AD 33 onwards
Spread of the Gospel
The apostles and early Christians spread the message of Jesus. Through the proclamation of the Gospel, countless spiritually dead people hear Christ's voice and receive eternal life.
This passage directly parallels the idea of spiritual death and resurrection, describing believers as 'dead in trespasses and sins' who are then 'made alive together with Christ' by God's grace. It illuminates the spiritual dimension of hearing Christ's voice and receiving life.
1 Corinthians 15:20-22This passage speaks of Christ as the 'firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep' (died), highlighting the future resurrection of believers. It complements John 5:25 by showing how Christ's power over death extends to both a present spiritual resurrection and a future physical one.
Luke 7:11-16This account of Jesus raising the widow's son at Nain is a powerful demonstration of His authority over death. While John 5:25 focuses on spiritual hearing and life, this narrative shows Jesus' physical power to call the dead back to life, a tangible manifestation of His divine voice.
Romans 8:11This verse states that the Spirit of God dwells in believers and will give life to their mortal bodies. It connects to John 5:25 by emphasizing the indwelling power of God's Spirit as the source of both spiritual and future physical life, awakened by Christ's voice.
vincentJohn 5:25: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live."
The deadSpiritually.
calvinJohn 5:25-29: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live."
- Verily, verily, I say to you, That the hour cometh, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live. 26. For as the Father hath life in himself, so also hath he given to the Son to have life in himself. 27. And he hath given him power to execute judgment also, because he is the Son…
Jesus is not just talking about a future event; he's emphasizing that this power to bring spiritual life is already at work right now. Those who are "dead" in their sin can already hear his voice and receive life through him, not just in a future resurrection, but in this very moment.
Jesus is responding to the Jewish leaders who are questioning His authority after He healed a man on the Sabbath. He's asserting His divine power, explaining that just as the Father gives life, He also gives life, and that He is executing judgment as the Son of Man. This verse is the beginning of His explanation of His authority and the coming resurrection, contrasting the spiritual resurrection that is already happening with the future physical resurrection.
Jesus is responding to the Jewish leaders who are questioning His authority after He healed a man on the Sabbath. He's asserting His divine power, explaining that just as the Father gives life, He also gives life, and that He is executing judgment as the Son of Man. This verse is the beginning of His explanation of His authority and the coming resurrection, contrasting the spiritual resurrection that is already happening with the future physical resurrection.
"“Truly, truly, I say to you, 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." — Jesus is not just talking about a future event; he's emphasizing that this power to bring spiritual life is already at work right now. Those who are "dead" in their sin can already hear his voice and…
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Last reviewed October 2026