Devine Scripture

John 5:29

What does John 5:29 mean?

A plain-English look at John 5:29 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 5:29 means

All will come forth: those who have done good to the resurrection of life, those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. Works here function as evidence of faith or unbelief; they reveal what a person truly is in relation to the Son. Life is the destiny of those aligned with God through believing obedience; judgment awaits those persisting in evil. The point is not salvation by merit but the moral seriousness of responding to Jesus. The resurrection will not flatten distinctions; it will expose them. This sober word follows the promise of life to believers, ensuring that grace produces real fruit and that rejecting the Son has lasting consequences.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And they will come out; those who have done good, into the new life; and those who have done evil, to be judged.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and they shall come forth; those who did the good things to a rising again of life, and those who practised the evil things to a rising again of judgment.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And they that have done good things shall come forth unto the resurrection of life: but they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and shall go forth; those that have practised good, to resurrection of life, and those that have done evil, to resurrection of judgment.

Context

Verse 28 announced a universal resurrection at the Son’s voice; verse 29 states its bifurcated outcome. This applies the earlier themes of life and judgment (verses 21–22, 24–27) to the last day. In the flow, it balances the present assurance of believers (verse 24) with the future accountability of all. With this eschatological picture painted, Jesus immediately reasserts in verse 30 His dependence on and alignment with the Father in judgment, underscoring that His verdicts are righteous. The discourse then pivots to the matter of witness (verses 31–47), where Jesus appeals to multiple testimonies that validate His claims.

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

v.29This passage

v.30I can of myself do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is righteous; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Timothy 6:18

    that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

  • 1 Peter 3:11

    And let him turn away from evil, and do good; Let him seek peace, and pursue it.

  • Romans 2:6

    who will render to every man according to his works:

  • Luke 14:14

    and thou shalt be blessed; because they have not wherewith to recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed in the resurrection of the just.

  • Daniel 12:2

    And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

  • Acts 24:15

    having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there shall be a resurrection both of the just and unjust.

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