Devine Scripture

John 5:22

What does John 5:22 mean?

A plain-English look at John 5:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 5:22 means

Jesus declares that the Father has entrusted all judgment to the Son. Judgment belongs to God; now the Son is its appointed executor. This shows the Father’s confidence in the Son and ensures that the One who gives life also renders verdicts. The Son’s role in judgment means that people’s response to Him determines their destiny. It also guards the truth that the Father is not distant; He is honored as His Son judges justly. Jesus is not merely a healer but the cosmic Judge. When He acts on the Sabbath, He acts as Lord of it; when He speaks, He speaks as the One before whom all must finally stand.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For neither doth the Father judge any man, but he hath given all judgment unto the Son;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For neither doth the Father judge any man, but he hath given all judgment unto the Son;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

The Father is not the judge of men, but he has given all decisions into the hands of the Son;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for neither doth the Father judge any one, but all the judgment He hath given to the Son,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For neither does the Father judge any man: but hath given all judgment to the Son.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

for neither does the Father judge any one, but has given all judgment to the Son;

Context

Verse 21 announced the Son’s life-giving authority; verse 22 complements it with the Son’s judicial authority. Together they define His divine office: to make alive and to judge. The purpose of this arrangement appears in verse 23: that all may honor the Son as they honor the Father. The subsequent verses (24–29) describe how hearing and believing bring life and avoid judgment, and how a future resurrection and judgment will be conducted by the Son. Thus the narrative moves from a debated healing to the grand theater of salvation and judgment administered by Jesus, validating His earlier action and intensifying the call to respond rightly.

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

v.22This passage

v.23that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honoreth not the Son honoreth not the Father that sent him.

Cross references

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

  • Psalms 50:3

    Our God cometh, and doth not keep silence: A fire devoureth before him, And it is very tempestuous round about him.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:10

    For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

  • Matthew 11:27

    All things have been delivered unto me of my Father: and no one knoweth the Son, save the Father; neither doth any know the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son willeth to reveal him.

  • Romans 14:10

    But thou, why dost thou judge thy brother? or thou again, why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of God.

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:7

    and to you that are afflicted rest with us, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire,

  • Revelation 20:11

    And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore John 5

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on John 5.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to John 5:22.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary