John 5

The Son is the just Judge

24 "Most assuredly I say to you that the one listening*Most versions render ‘hear’ instead of ‘listen’, both here and in the next verse, but from the context it seems clear that Jesus is not talking about sound striking the eardrum; He is talking about acting on the basis of what is heard. to my word and believing on Him who sent me has eternal life; he will not go into judging but has moved out of the death into the Life.*"The death" refers to Satan’s kingdom; "the life" refers to Christ’s kingdom (and they are the only alternatives in this world).

25 "Most assuredly I say to you that a time is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of the God, and those who listen will live.*It seems clear that the picture here is different from that in verses 28-29. Here Jesus says "now is", so He is not talking about future judgment; so the dead here are spiritually dead, and those who listen to Him receive spiritual life. In verse 28 the reference is to the physically dead, who are raised to face the final judgment.