Devine Scripture

John 5:27

What does John 5:27 mean?

A plain-English look at John 5:27 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 5:27 means

The Father “gave him authority to execute judgment, because he is a son of man.” As true man, Jesus is fitted to judge humanity; as divine Son, He judges with perfect righteousness. The title recalls the human figure invested with dominion, linking His authority to God’s plan. Judgment entrusted to the Son ensures that the same One who knows our frame and bore our weakness will render verdicts. His humanity does not lessen His authority; it establishes it in the sphere of human history. Judgment is not arbitrary but administered by the incarnate Lord, who unites divine justice and human experience in one righteous Judge.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and he gave him authority to execute judgment, because he is a son of man.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and he gave him authority to execute judgment, because he is a son of man.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he has given him authority to be judge because he is the Son of man.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and authority He gave him also to do judgment, because he is Son of Man.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he hath given him power to do judgment, because he is the Son of man.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and has given him authority to execute judgment [also], because he is Son of man.

Context

After asserting the Son’s possession of life in Himself (verse 26), Jesus adds the second prerogative: authority to judge, specifically because He is “a son of man.” This paves the way for the explicit mention of a universal resurrection and separation in verses 28–29. The combination of life-giving and judging authority addresses both salvation and accountability. It shows that the Sabbath controversy is really about recognizing the incarnate Judge and Life-giver. The following verses will broaden the horizon to the last day, then return (verse 30) to the Son’s humble alignment with the Father’s will, underscoring righteous, not self-willed, judgment.

v.26For as the Father hath life in himself, even so gave he to the Son also to have life in himself:

v.27This passage

v.28Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice,

Cross references

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

  • Ephesians 1:20

    which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places,

  • 1 Peter 3:22

    who is on the right hand of God, having gone into heaven; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

  • Psalms 110:1

    Jehovah saith unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, Until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

  • Acts 17:31

    inasmuch as he hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

  • Acts 10:42

    And he charged us to preach unto the people, and to testify that this is he who is ordained of God to be the Judge of the living and the dead.

  • Psalms 110:6

    He will judge among the nations, He will fillthe placeswith dead bodies; He will strike through the head in many countries.

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