Jesus is accused of breaking the Sabbath making himself a god by calling God his Father.
John 5:25 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 5:25 Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.
Ameni, Ameni I tell you that a time begins and it now exists when the dead might hear of this voice from this son of the Divine and those hearing might live.
The dead should hear, but do they?
This is the first of three "the hour is coming" verses that Jesus offers here. The next two are in John 5:27 and John 5:28. The "dead" here could be the physically dead, but Jesus uses the same word to refer to the spiritually dead as in the famous like "let the dead bury the dead" (Matthew 8:2, Luke 9:60).
The two key verbs in this verse, translated as "shall hear" and "shall live" are in a form that allows two different readings. Both can be read as in the future tense, as translated, but they can also be read a being in the subjunctive mood. A subjunctive verb means that something "might" or "should" happen, not that it certainly will. Jesus uses the subjunctive mood almost always when referring to the future, especially when referring to what others might do. He always seems to be allowing for freedom of action on the part of other people.
It should be noted that in the earlier verse regarding raising of the dead, John 5:21, all the verbs were in the present tense, describing the giving of life as happening now, not sometime in the future. The subjunctive can refer a possibility in the present, past, or future. The English translation makes this verse seem like it is about the future, but that is clearly not the case because it says that the time is here now. This verse seems to be adding the idea that those hearing about the speech of the Son and the coming to life is a possibility for those dead now.
Also, the "voice" that is heard doesn't seem to be heard directly. The verb translated as "hear" can take a direction object like a "voice" but there the word "voice" is in the genitive, which means "hearing of" or "hearing "about" something, not hearing it directly. The "voice" could belong to "the Son," but a second genitve noun with "hear" has the sense of hearing "from" that person.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "that" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "the" before "hour" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "voice" is not an accusative object but a genitive, "of the voice."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "Divine" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "they" is not the common word usually translated as "they."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "that" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "hear" is not an active verb but a participle, "hearing."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "very" should be something more like "truly."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "that" is not shown in the English translation.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "has" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is the present.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "come" should be something more like "exists."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "voice" is not an accusative object but a genitive, "of the voice."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "Divine" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "who" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "hear" is not an active verb but a participle, "hearing."
Verily, -- The word translated as "verily" is the Hebrew word that means "truly" or "certainly," but it sounds like the Greek word with the same meaning. In Greek, the word also means "to reap."
verily, -- The word translated as "verily" is the Hebrew word that means "truly" or "certainly," but it sounds like the Greek word with the same meaning. In Greek, the word also means "to reap."
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
say -- The word translated as "I tell" is the most common word that means "to say," and "to speak," but when used with an objective noun or pronoun, the sense is "say of" or "speak of." When two accusative objects are used, the sense is "say of him this," or "call him this." The form Jesus uses to describe his own speaking can be either indicative, "I say/tell" or subjunctive, "I should/could say/tell." It also has many ancillary meanings such as "to count" ("to number" or like we might say, "to recount" a story) or "to choose for yourself." Christ usually uses this word to refer to his own speaking or teaching.
unto -- This word "unto" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.
you, -- The "you" here is the second-person, plural pronoun in the form of an object.
missing "that" -- (MW) The untranslated word "that" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."
The -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "the" in the Greek source.
hour - The word translated as "hour" means a period of time equal to the one-twelfth part of the daylight, like an "hour."
is -- This helping verb indicates the present tense of the verb.
coming, -- The word translated as "come" primarily means "to start out" but Christ usually uses it to mean "come" but not always. It indicates movement, especially its beginning, without indicating a direction toward or away from anything, so it works either as "start," "come," or "go," but it is more like our phrase "being underway." Our English word "show up" captures both the "start" and "come" ideas. See this article for more.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
now -- The Greek word translated as "now" means "now," "at the present moment,""presently," and "as it is."
is, -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." It can also be translated as "exists," which works better here.
when - "When" is from an adverb/conjunction that means "when," "as when," "at the time when," and "sometimes."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
dead -- The word translated as "dead" means "corpse," "a dying man," and "inanimate, non-organic matter." Jesus uses it in three senses, referring to the actual dead, the spiritually dead, and inanimate matter.
shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb is the future tense or a form that indicates possibility at some time. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
hear -- "Hear" is from a Greek verb that means "to hear" and "to listen." It has the same sense as the English not only of listening but of understanding. It is the most common verb that Christ uses meaning "to hear." It also means "to listen" and "to understand," but amusingly, it also means "to be silent."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
voice -- (WF) The noun translated as "voice" means "sound", "speech", "voice", "cry" [of animals], "sounds" [of inanimate objects], and "report." The verb "hear" takes noun that are normally in the accusative, that is, objective form. However, the form of this word is a genitive, usually a possessive which gives this the sense "of the voice."
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
the - The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
Son - -- The word translated as "son" more generally means "child" or "descendant." The phrase "the son of man" is the common way Christ refers to himself. It is discussed in detail in this article. Its sense may be "the child of the man." This form is genitive, that is, possessive as well. It could apply to the "voice" or "speech" but when the verb "hear" has two genitives, the sense is "hear of the speech from the Son."
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
God: -- The word translated as "God" means "God" and "deity." It is introduced with an article, so "the God," "the Divine" or "the divine one." Jesus often uses it this way perhaps to indicate the one God as opposed to the pagan gods.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
they -- (CW) The word translated as "they" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the ones." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
that -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "that" in the Greek source. It was added because the previous verb was translated as active rather than a participle.
hear -- (WF) "Hear" is from a Greek verb that means "to hear" and "to listen." It has the same sense as the English not only of listening but of understanding. It is the most common verb that Christ uses meaning "to hear." It also means "to listen" and "to understand," but amusingly, it also means "to be silent." The form is a participle, not a n active verb.
shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb is the future tense or a form that indicates possibility at some time. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
live. -- The verb means "live," "to be alive,” “to be full of life," "to be strong," and "to be fresh." So it is life in the sense of having a vital life, strong and growing. Perhaps in English, “thrive” would be more precise.
Very -- (WW) The word translated as "very" is the Hebrew word that means "truly" or "certainly," but it sounds like the Greek word with the same meaning. In Greek, the word also means "to reap." This is not the word meaning "very."
truly , -- The word translated as "truly" is the Hebrew word that means "truly" or "certainly," but it sounds like the Greek word with the same meaning. In Greek, the word also means "to reap."
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
tell -- The word translated as "I tell" is the most common word that means "to say," and "to speak," but when used with an objective noun or pronoun, the sense is "say of" or "speak of." When two accusative objects are used, the sense is "say of him this," or "call him this." The form Jesus uses to describe his own speaking can be either indicative, "I say/tell" or subjunctive, "I should/could say/tell." It also has many ancillary meanings such as "to count" ("to number" or like we might say, "to recount" a story) or "to choose for yourself." Christ usually uses this word to refer to his own speaking or teaching.
you, -- The "you" here is the second-person, plural pronoun in the form of an object.
missing "that" -- (MW) The untranslated word "that" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a word doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
time - The word translated as "hour" means a period of time equal to the one-twelfth part of the daylight, like an "hour."
is -- This helping verb indicates the present tense of the verb.
coming, -- The word translated as "come" primarily means "to start out" but Christ usually uses it to mean "come" but not always. It indicates movement, especially its beginning, without indicating a direction toward or away from anything, so it works either as "start," "come," or "go," but it is more like our phrase "being underway." Our English word "show up" captures both the "start" and "come" ideas. See this article for more.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
has -- (WT) This helping verb "has" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here.
now -- The Greek word translated as "now" means "now," "at the present moment,""presently," and "as it is."
come , -- (WW) The verb "come" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." It can also be translated as "exists," which works better here.
when - "When" is from an adverb/conjunction that means "when," "as when," "at the time when," and "sometimes."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
dead -- The word translated as "dead" means "corpse," "a dying man," and "inanimate, non-organic matter." Jesus uses it in three senses, referring to the actual dead, the spiritually dead, and inanimate matter.
will -- This helping verb "will " indicates that the verb is the future tense but it could also be a form that indicates possibility at some time. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
hear -- "Hear" is from a Greek verb that means "to hear" and "to listen." It has the same sense as the English not only of listening but of understanding. It is the most common verb that Christ uses meaning "to hear." It also means "to listen" and "to understand," but amusingly, it also means "to be silent."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
voice -- (WF) The noun translated as "voice" means "sound", "speech", "voice", "cry" [of animals], "sounds" [of inanimate objects], and "report." The verb "hear" takes noun that are normally in the accusative, that is, objective form. However, the form of this word is a genitive, usually a possessive which gives this the sense "of the voice."
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
the - The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
Son - -- The word translated as "son" more generally means "child" or "descendant." The phrase "the son of man" is the common way Christ refers to himself. It is discussed in detail in this article. Its sense may be "the child of the man." This form is genitive, that is, possessive as well. It could apply to the "voice" or "speech" but when the verb "hear" has two genitives, the sense is "hear of the speech from the Son."
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
God: -- The word translated as "God" means "God" and "deity." It is introduced with an article, so "the God," "the Divine" or "the divine one." Jesus often uses it this way perhaps to indicate the one God as opposed to the pagan gods.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
those -- The word translated as "those" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the ones." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
who -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "who" in the Greek source. It was added because the previous verb was translated as active rather than a participle.
hear -- (WF) "Hear" is from a Greek verb that means "to hear" and "to listen." It has the same sense as the English not only of listening but of understanding. It is the most common verb that Christ uses meaning "to hear." It also means "to listen" and "to understand," but amusingly, it also means "to be silent." The form is a participle, not a n active verb.
will -- This helping verb "will" indicates that the verb is the future tense or a form that indicates possibility at some time. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
live. -- The verb means "live," "to be alive,” “to be full of life," "to be strong," and "to be fresh." So it is life in the sense of having a vital life, strong and growing. Perhaps in English, “thrive” would be more precise.
Ἀμὴν [88 verses](exclaim) "Verily" is amen, which is the Hebrew, meaning "truly," "of a truth," and "so be it." It has no history in Greek of this meaning before the NT. However, this is also the infinitive form of the Greek verb amao, which means "to reap" or "to cut."
ἀμὴν [88 verses](exclaim) "Verily" is amen, which is the Hebrew, meaning "truly," "of a truth," and "so be it." It has no history in Greek of this meaning before the NT. However, this is also the infinitive form of the Greek verb amao, which means "to reap" or "to cut."
λέγω [264 verses](1st sg pres ind act) "I say" is lego, which means "to recount," "to tell over," "to say," "to speak," "to teach," "to mean," "boast of," "tell of," "recite," nominate," and "command." It has a secondary meaning "pick out," "choose for oneself," "pick up," "gather," "count," and "recount." A less common word that is spelled the same means "to lay," "to lay asleep" and "to lull asleep."
ὑμῖν, [289 verses](pron 2nd pl dat) "To you" is humin the plural form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you."
ὅτι [332 verses](adv/conj) "That" is hoti, which introduces a statement of fact "with regard to the fact that," "seeing that," and acts as a causal adverb meaning "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore."
ἔρχεται [198 verses] (3rd sg pres ind mp) "Come" is erchomai, which means "to start," "to set out," "to come," "to go," and any kind of motion. It means both "to go" on a journey and "to arrive" at a place.
ὥρα [37 verses](noun sg fem nom ) "Hour" is hora, which means "any period," "season," (especially springtime), "year' (generally), "climate" (as determined by seasons), "duration," "the twelve equal parts into which the period of daylight was divided," "the fitting time" (for a task).
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
νῦν [31 verses](adv) "Now" is nyn (nun), which means "now," "at the present moment," "at the present time," "just now," "presently," and "as it is."
ἐστίν.[614 verses](3rd sg pres ind act) "Is" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen," and "is possible." With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." It can also mean "must" with a dative.
ὅτε [19 verses](adv/conj) "When" is hote, which means "when," "as when," "at the time when," and "sometimes."
οἱ [821 verses](article pl masc nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
νεκροὶ [30 verses](adj pl masc nom)"The dead" is nekros, which specifically means "a corpse" as well as a "dying person," "the dead as dwellers in the nether world," "the inanimate," and "the inorganic"
ἀκούσουσιν [95 verses] (3rd pl fut ind act OR 3rd pl aor subj act) "Shall hear"" is akouo, (ἀκούω) which means "hear of," "hear tell of," "what one actually hears," "know by hearsay," "listen to," "give ear to," "hear and understand," and "understand." The accusative object is the person/thing heard about, while the genitive is the person/thing heard from. However, two genitives can be used with the sense of "hear of a thing from a person." - -- "Heard" is from a Greek verb that means "to hear" and "to listen." It has the same sense as the English not only of listening but of understanding. It is the most common verb that Christ uses meaning "to hear." It also means "to listen" and "to understand," but amusingly, it also means "to be silent."
τῆς 821 verses](article sg fem gen) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
φωνῆς [13 verses] (noun sg fem gen) "Voice" is phone, which means "sound", "tone", "sound of a voice", "speech", "voice", "utterance", "cry" [of animals], "sounds" [of inanimate objects], "faculty of speech", "phrase", "saying", "rumor," and "report." -
τοῦ [821 verses](article sg masc gen) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
υἱοῦ [158 verses](noun sg masc gen) "Son" is huios, which means a "son," and more generally, a "child." It is used generally to refer to any male descendant.
τοῦ [821 verses](article sg masc gen) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
θεοῦ [144 verses](noun sg masc gen) "God" is theos, which means "God," "divine," and "Deity."
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
οἱ [821 verses](article pl masc nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἀκούσαντες [95 verses](part pl aor act masc) "They that hear" is akouo, (ἀκούω) which means "hear of," "hear tell of," "what one actually hears," "know by hearsay," "listen to," "give ear to," "hear and understand," and "understand." The accusative object is the person/thing heard about, while the genitive is the person/thing heard from. -
ζήσουσιν [15 verses] (3rd pl fut ind act or 3rd pl aor subj act) "Live" is zao, which means "to live," "the living," and "to be alive." It is a metaphor for "to be full of life," "to be strong," and "to be fresh."