19 Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, "Truly , truly , I say to you, the Son can do nothing e of Himself , unless e it is something He sees the Father doing ; for whatever e the Father does , these things the Son also does in like manner . 20 " For the Father loves the Son , and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing ; and the Father will show Him greater works than these , so that you will marvel . 21 "For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life , even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes . 22 "For not even the Father judges anyone , but He has given all judgment to the Son , 23 so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father . He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. 24 "Truly , truly , I say to you, he who hears My word , and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life , and does not come into judgment , but has passed out of death into life . 25 "Truly , truly , I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God , and those who hear will live . 26 "For just as the Father has life in Himself , even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself ; 27 and He gave Him authority to execute judgment , because He is the Son of Man . 28 "Do not marvel at this ; for an hour is coming , in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice , 29 and will come forth ; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life , those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment .
30 " I can do nothing e on My own initiative . As I hear , I judge ; and My judgment is just , because I do not seek My own will , but the will of Him who sent Me.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 5:19-30
Commentary on John 5:17-23
(Read John 5:17-23)
The Divine power of the miracle proved Jesus to be the Son of God, and he declared that he worked with, and like unto his Father, as he saw good. These ancient enemies of Christ understood him, and became more violent, charging him not only with sabbath-breaking, but blasphemy, in calling God his own Father, and making himself equal with God. But all things now, and at the final judgment, are committed to the Son, purposely that all men might honour the Son, as they honour the Father; and every one who does not thus honour the Son, whatever he may think or pretend, does not honour the Father who sent him.
Commentary on John 5:24-29
(Read John 5:24-29)
Our Lord declared his authority and character, as the Messiah. The time was come when the dead should hear his voice, as the Son of God, and live. Our Lord first refers to his raising those who were dead in sin, to newness of life, by the power of the Spirit, and then to his raising the dead in their graves. The office of Judge of all men, can only be exercised by one who has all knowledge, and almighty power. May we believe His testimony; thus our faith and hope will be in God, and we shall not come into condemnation. And may His voice reach the hearts of those dead in sin; that they may do works meet for repentance, and prepare for the solemn day.
Commentary on John 5:30-38
(Read John 5:30-38)
Our Lord returns to his declaration of the entire agreement between the Father and the Son, and declared himself the Son of God. He had higher testimony than that of John; his works bore witness to all he had said. But the Divine word had no abiding-place in their hearts, as they refused to believe in Him whom the Father had sent, according to his ancient promises. The voice of God, accompanied by the power of the Holy Ghost, thus made effectual to the conversion of sinners, still proclaims that this is the beloved Son, in whom the Father is well pleased. But when the hearts of men are full of pride, ambition, and the love of the world, there is no room for the word of God to abide in them.