What does John 5:28 mean?

Explanation

John 5:28 addresses an eschatological promise, the prediction of a future event where all the dead shall be resurrected at the sound of Jesus' voice.

The verse is part of a larger discourse where Jesus is explaining his relationship with God the Father and his role in judgment and resurrection. It's a response to the disbelief and wonder that He anticipated from his audience about his claims.

The verse emphasizes the certainty ("marvel not") of a future resurrection, reinforcing the Christian belief in life after death.

Historical Context

This verse is situated in the New Testament of the Bible, within the Gospel of John.

John's Gospel, composed sometime between AD 90 and 110, presents a narrative of Jesus' life, focusing particularly on his deity and the spiritual aspects of his ministry.

During this time period, the early Christian community was defining its beliefs and often found itself at odds with both Jewish and Greco-Roman worldviews.

Resurrection of the dead was a debated topic among Jewish groups and was a radical concept within Hellenistic beliefs that often viewed the afterlife as a shadowy existence disconnected from the physical body.

Theological Insights

From a Christian point of view, John 5:28 suggests the omnipotence of Jesus and the idea that he has the authority to raise the dead, reinforcing the Christian doctrine of the resurrection.

This belief is contrasted with the Sadducees’ understanding, who denied the resurrection, and the Pharisees’ belief, who affirmed it but without attributing this power to the Messiah.

The verse is also significant in trinitarian theology, affirming that Jesus acts in unity with God the Father.

Different denominations may interpret the verse in light of their eschatological beliefs, such as pre-millennialism, which expects a physical resurrection before a thousand-year reign of Christ on Earth.

Practical Applications

John 5:28 can be practically applied in the context of providing hope and comfort to those who are grieving, as it offers assurance of a time when death will be overcome.

It also may inspire Christians to live righteously in anticipation of the resurrection and final judgment.

In witnessing to non-believers, this verse can be used to communicate the Christian hope of eternal life.

Cross-References

• John 5:24 - "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."
• John 11:25 - "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:"
• 1 Thessalonians 4:16 - "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:"

Language Study

The key word in the original Greek text is "φωνῆς" (phonēs), which translates to "voice." The use of "voice" represents both a literal and metaphorical meaning; it signifies the audible sound with which Jesus will command the resurrection and symbolically indicates his divine authority.

The phrase "μὴ θαυμάζετε" (mē thaumazete), translated as "marvel not," can be understood as a command not to be astonished, pointing towards the acceptance of Jesus' teachings as a believable and anticipated part of God's plan.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Ancient cultures including the Egyptians and Greeks had various myths concerning the afterlife, but typically did not envision a bodily resurrection.

The concept of a physical resurrection where the dead are restored to life is particularly distinct in Judaic and subsequently Christian thought, differentiating from the more common themes of reincarnation or an ethereal existence after death.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific standpoint, the resurrection of the dead as described in John 5:28 is a supernatural event that cannot be explained or proven by natural sciences, as it defies the current understanding of biology and physics.

The idea of resurrection is a matter of faith rather than empirical evidence and moves beyond the realm of what science addresses.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and commentators have often seen John 5:28 as an affirmation of the Christian hope in the resurrection.

John Calvin, for example, notes this verse to reinforce the teaching that Christ is the judge of the living and the dead, underscoring his divine power.

Matthew Henry comments on the universality of the resurrection that is highlighted in this verse, with none being exempt from hearing Christ's voice.

Contemporary scholars often focus on the Johannine context, looking at how this verse fits into the overall themes of the Gospel of John and its portrayal of Christ's authority and divinity.