Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

JOHN 5:25KJV
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John 5:25 (KJV)

What does John 5:25 mean?

John 5:25 says that a time is coming—and has already begun—when those who are spiritually dead will hear the voice of Jesus, the Son of God, and those who truly listen will receive life. Jesus is announcing that his message brings life to those who respond to him, even now.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to a crowd in Jerusalem, including religious leaders, after healing a man on the Sabbath. He is explaining his authority and unique relationship with God. The verse uses the image of "the dead" hearing Jesus' voice, which is often understood as referring to people who are spiritually unresponsive or separated from God, not just those who have physically died. Jesus emphasizes that this new era—when people can receive life through him—has already started with his arrival.

The Greek behind John 5:25

  • "Verily, verily" (ἀμὴν ἀμὴν, amēn amēn): This phrase means "truly, truly" and signals that what follows is especially important and trustworthy.
  • "Dead" (νεκροί, nekroi): While this word can mean physically dead, in this context it is often understood as describing those who are spiritually dead—people lacking spiritual life or connection with God.
  • "Hear" (ἀκούω, akouō): The Greek word for "hear" carries the sense of truly listening and responding, not just physically hearing sounds. It points to an active, receptive response to Jesus' message.
  • "Live" (ζάω, zaō): This word means to have life, and here it refers to receiving spiritual life—a restored relationship with God—through hearing and responding to Jesus.

Why John 5:25 matters

  • John 5:25 clarifies that Jesus' power to give life is not only for a future resurrection but is already at work for those who respond to him now.
  • The verse highlights Jesus' unique authority as the Son of God, whose voice alone can awaken the spiritually dead.
  • This statement connects to the larger theme in John’s Gospel that eternal life begins in the present for those who believe in Jesus, not just after physical death.

Where else these words appear

“hour” Greek G5610 · used in 100 verses

  • Matthew 8:13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.
  • Luke 2:38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
  • John 16:32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

“when” Greek G3753 · used in 105 verses

  • Matthew 7:28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
  • Luke 22:35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
  • Romans 6:20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.

“dead” Greek G3498 · used in 123 verses

  • Matthew 8:22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
  • Acts 4:2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:

“Verily” Greek G281 · used in 126 verses

  • Matthew 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
  • Mark 13:30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.
  • Romans 15:33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.