Devine Scripture

John 5:20

What does John 5:20 mean?

A plain-English look at John 5:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 5:20 means

Jesus explains the source and scope of His works: “For the Father loveth the Son, and showeth him all things that himself doeth.” Love within the Godhead grounds revelation and action. The Father shares His works fully with the Son, and “greater works” will follow so that the hearers may marvel. These greater works include raising the dead and executing judgment. The point is not spectacle but disclosure of divine love and purpose through the Son. Marveling should lead to faith and honor. The verse highlights that Jesus’ mission flows from the Father’s affection, not from competition. Divine operations are family affairs; the Son acts as the beloved, fully entrusted heir.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For the Father loveth the Son, and showeth him all things that himself doeth: and greater works than these will he show him, that ye may marvel.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For the Father loveth the Son, and showeth him all things that himself doeth: and greater works than these will he show him, that ye may marvel.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For the Father has love for the Son and lets him see everything which he does: and he will let him see greater works than these so that you may be full of wonder.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for the Father doth love the Son, and doth shew to him all things that He himself doth; and greater works than these He will shew him, that ye may wonder.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For the Father loveth the Son and sheweth him all things which himself doth: and greater works than these will he shew him, that you may wonder.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For the Father loves the Son and shews him all things which he himself does; and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may wonder.

Context

Building on verse 19’s unity of action, Jesus shows that the Father’s love is the fountain of the Son’s works. This prepares for the specific prerogatives named next: giving life (verse 21) and judging (verse 22). The promise of “greater works” transitions the audience from a Sabbath healing to the ultimate displays of divine authority. The intended response is wonder leading to honor (verse 23) and faith resulting in life (verse 24). The discourse thus moves from defense of one act to unveiling the whole scope of the Son’s mission, anticipating both present spiritual resurrection (verse 25) and future universal resurrection (verses 28–29).

v.19Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father doing: for what things soever he doeth, these the Son also doeth in like manner.

v.20This passage

v.21For as the Father raiseth the dead and giveth them life, even so the Son also giveth life to whom he will.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 5:21

    For as the Father raiseth the dead and giveth them life, even so the Son also giveth life to whom he will.

  • John 12:45

    And he that beholdeth me beholdeth him that sent me.

  • Proverbs 8:22

    Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of his way, Before his works of old.

  • John 5:29

    and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment.

  • Luke 10:22

    All things have been delivered unto me of my Father: and no one knoweth who the Son is, save the Father; and who the Father is, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son willeth to reveal him.

  • John 17:26

    and I made known unto them thy name, and will make it known; that the love wherewith thou lovedst me may be in them, and I in them.

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