John 5:28
What does John 5:28 mean?
A plain-English look at John 5:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 5:28 means
“Marvel not at this,” Jesus says, for a future hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear His voice. The call to not marvel urges sober faith rather than mere amazement. The scope widens from present spiritual resurrection to universal bodily resurrection. The same life-giving voice that now awakens souls will then summon every body from the grave. This is an assertion of cosmic authority. Death does not have the last word; the Son’s word does. Listeners must reckon with a coming day when the One they now question will call them forth, not to another chance, but to final evaluation by the Judge.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice,
KJV
King James Version · 1611Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Do not be surprised at this: for the time is coming when his voice will come to all who are in the place of the dead,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Wonder not at this, because there doth come an hour in which all those in the tombs shall hear his voice,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Wonder not at this: for the hour cometh wherein all that are in the graves shall hear the voice of the Son of God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Wonder not at this, for an hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs shall hear his voice,
Context
Having spoken of present spiritual life (verse 25) and grounded it in His divine life and judicial authority (verses 26–27), Jesus now looks to the future universal resurrection (verses 28–29). The audience, tempted to marvel at His claims, is told to expect even greater displays of authority. This transition completes the sweep from immediate healing to eschatological horizon. Verse 29 will describe the twofold outcome of this resurrection—life or judgment—based on deeds that reveal one’s true relation to the Son. Verse 30 then returns to Jesus’ dependence on the Father, anchoring these grand claims in perfect obedience and righteousness.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 11:24
Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
- Hosea 13:14
I will ransom them from the power of Sheol; I will redeem them from death: O death, where are thy plagues? O Sheol, where is thy destruction? repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.
- 1 Corinthians 15:42
So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
- 1 Thessalonians 4:14
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also that are fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
- Revelation 20:12
And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened: and another book was opened, which isthe bookof life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works.
- Job 19:25
But as for me I know that my Redeemer liveth, And at last he will stand up upon the earth:
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