John 5:21 Meaning and Explanation
“For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →As the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so the Son gives life to whom he will.
What Does John 5:21 Mean?
The first greater work is named: raising the dead. Scripture had kept that power for God alone, who kills and makes alive (Deuteronomy 32:39; 1 Samuel 2:6). Jesus claims it as his own: even so the Son quickeneth whom he will, with the freedom that belongs to God.
Life is not a force Jesus borrows or administers; it is his to give. The man at Bethesda was a small first sign of it; Lazarus will be a louder one; the last day will be the full harvest (vv. 28-29). For everyone who has stood at a grave: the giving of life has not passed into other hands. The Son still quickens.
John 5:21 in the Original Language
zoopoieo (ζῳοποιέω), 'quicken' -- to make alive.
Frequently Asked Questions About John 5:21
What does John 5:21 mean?
As the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so the Son gives life to whom he will.