Bible Strands
John 5:21
For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom He wishes.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem during a festival, explaining His authority after healing a paralyzed man at the Bethesda pool. He clarifies why His Sabbath work and claims equal to God provoke their hostility.
The words — ὥσπερ (hōsper) translates literally as "even as" or "just as," establishing a direct parallel between the Father's action and the Son's action. ἐγείρει (egeirei) means "raises up," specifically referring to the physical resurrection of the dead.
The thread — This theme of divine life-giving power appears in Deuteronomy 32:39 where Yahweh declares He alone gives life and death. It reappears in Romans 8:11 regarding the Spirit raising believers, and in John 11:25 where Jesus identifies Himself as the resurrection and the life.
Why it lands — The text states that the Son independently grants life to whomever He chooses, mirroring the Father's sovereign action. It demands a reader acknowledge that life originates from Christ's will, not human merit or effort.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
Cross-references
- Romans 8:11 And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.
- Deuteronomy 32:39 See now that I am He; there is no God besides Me. I bring death and I give life; I wound and I heal, and there is no one who can deliver from My hand.
- John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies.
- Acts 26:8 Why would any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?
- Luke 7:14 Then He went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. “Young man,” He said, “I tell you, get up!”
- John 17:2 For You granted Him authority over all people, so that He may give eternal life to all those You have given Him.
- Luke 8:54 But Jesus took her by the hand and called out, “Child, get up!”
- John 11:43 After Jesus had said this, He called out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”
- 1 Kings 17:21 Then he stretched himself out over the child three times and cried out to the LORD, “O LORD my God, please let this boy’s life return to him!”
- 2 Kings 4:32 When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his bed.