Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 5:29
And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
29. done evil ] Or, practised worthless things. See on Joh 3:20.
unto the resurrection of damnation ] Better, unto the resurrection of judgment. It is the same Greek word as is used in Joh 5:22 ; Joh 5:27. These words are the strongest proof that spiritual resurrection cannot be meant. Spiritual resurrection must always be a resurrection of life, a passing from spiritual death to spiritual life. A passing from spiritual death to judgment is not spiritual resurrection. This passage, and Act 24:15, are the only direct assertions in N.T. of a bodily resurrection of the wicked. It is implied, Mat 10:28; Rev 20:12-13. A satisfactory translation for the Greek words meaning ‘judge’ and ‘judgment’ cannot be found: they combine the notions of ‘separating’ and ‘judging,’ and from the context often acquire the further notion of ‘condemning.’ See on Joh 3:17-18.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Shall come forth – Shall come out of their graves. This was the language which he used when he raised up Lazarus, Joh 11:43-44.
They that have done good – That is, they who are righteous, or they who have by their good works shown that they were the friends of Christ. See Mat 25:34-36.
Resurrection of life – Religion is often called life, and everlasting life. See the notes at Joh 5:24. In the resurrection the righteous will be raised up to the full enjoyment and perpetual security of that life. It is also called the resurrection of life, because there shall be no more death, Rev 21:4. The enjoyment of God himself and of his works; of the society of the angels and of the redeemed; freedom from sickness, and sin, and dying, will constitute the life of the just in the resurrection. The resurrection is also called the resurrection of the just Luk 14:14, and the first resurrection, Rev 20:5-6.
The resurrection of damnation – The word damnation means the sentence passed on one by a judge – judgment or condemnation. The word, as we use it, applies only to the judgment pronounced by God on the wicked; but this is not its meaning always in the Bible. Here it has, however, that meaning. Those who have done evil will be raised up to be condemned or damned. This will be the object in raising them up – this the sole design. It is elsewhere said that they shall then be condemned to everlasting punishment Mat 25:46, and that they shall be punished with everlasting destruction 2Th 1:8-9; and it is said of the unjust that they are reserved unto the day of judgment to be punished, 2Pe 2:9. That this refers to the future judgment – to the resurrection then, and not to anything that takes place in this life – is clear from the following considerations:
1. Jesus had just spoken of what would be done in this life – of the power of the gospel, Joh 5:25. He adds here that something still more wonderful – something beyond this – would take place. All that are in the graves shall hear his voice.
2. He speaks of those who are in their graves, evidently referring to the dead. Sinners are sometimes said to be dead in sin, but sinners are not said to be in a grave. This is applied in the Scriptures only to those who are deceased.
3. The language used here of the righteous cannot be applied to anything in this life. When God converts men, it is not because they have been good.
4. Nor is the language employed of the evil applicable to anything here. In what condition among men can it be said, with any appearance of sense, that they are brought forth from their graves to the resurrection of damnation? The doctrine of those Universalists who hold that all people will be saved immediately at death, therefore, cannot be true. This passage proves that at the day of judgment the wicked will be condemned. Let it be added that if then condemned they will be lost forever. Thus, in Mat 25:46, it is said to be everlasting punishment; 2Th 1:8-9, it is called everlasting destruction. There is no account of redemption in hell – no Saviour, no Holy Spirit, no offer of mercy there.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
And come forth; not all to be made partakers of eternal life and glory; there shall be a resurrection unto life, which only they shall obtain
who have done good, walking in the commandments of God; not because they have done good, as if their goodness had merited any such thing, for eternal life is the gift of God, Rom 6:23. But others, who have, wrought iniquity, and died without repentance and faith in me, shall arise, that the justice of God may by me, the Judge of the quick and the dead, be exceeded upon them unto eternal condemnation. This Daniel, Dan 12:2, calleth shame, and everlasting contempt. Our Saviour, Mat 25:46, calls it everlasting punishment.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
29. resurrection of lifethatis, to life everlasting (Mt25:46).
of damnationIt wouldhave been harsh to say “the resurrection of death,” thoughthat is meant, for sinners rise from death to death [BENGEL].The resurrection of both classes is an exercise of sovereignauthority; but in the one case it is an act of grace, inthe other of justice. (Compare Da12:2, from which the language is taken). How awfully grand arethese unfoldings of His dignity and authority from the mouth ofChrist Himself! And they are all in the third person; in whatfollows He resumes the first person.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And shall come forth,…. Out of their graves, as Lazarus came forth from his at the word of command, and as the bodies of the saints did after the resurrection of Christ, when their graves were opened:
they that have done good; which none of Adam’s posterity naturally do, or can do of themselves: such are designed here who believe in Christ, which to do is the work of God, and the greatest and best of worlds; and without which it is impossible to please God in any; and indeed, whatever is not of faith is sin, and cannot be a good work: a good work is that which is done according to the will of God, from love to him, in faith, and with a view to his glory; and those that do such works shall come forth
unto the resurrection of life; that is, unto everlasting life, glory, and happiness; this is the first and better resurrection; and those that have part in it, over them the second death shall have no power. All shall rise to life, to an immortal life, so as never to die more; yet only good men shall rise to enjoy an happy and glorious life; which will lie in communion with God, angels, and saints, and in conformity to Christ, and in the everlasting vision of him:
and they that have done evil; who give up themselves to work wickedness; whose continual employment, and the business, series, and course of whose lives it is to commit sin; who are slaves unto it, and vassals of it, and are properly workers of iniquity; otherwise there is no man but what does that which is evil, and that daily: these shall come forth
unto the resurrection of damnation; that is, to everlasting damnation, shame, and reproach; they shall be condemned by the Judge of the whole earth, and shall be pronounced cursed; and shall be ordered to go into everlasting fire, and shall go into everlasting punishment; which will be a punishment both of loss and sense: they will lose, or be deprived of, the presence of God, and feel his wrath in their consciences. All will rise, but with a difference; the dead in Christ will rise first, in the morning of the resurrection, in the beginning of the thousand years, and therefore are here mentioned first; the rest the wicked, will not rise until the evening of that day, till the thousand years are ended, and therefore are spoken of last. The former will rise by virtue of union to Christ, the other by his power, and both at hearing his voice; the saints will rise with bodies glorious, powerful, and spiritual; and wicked men, though with bodies immortal, yet vile, and dishonourable: the one will rise to a life of joy and happiness that will last for ever, and which will be properly life; the other, though they will rise and live for ever, yet in misery and woe, and which will be the second, or eternal death; see a like distinction in Da 12:2, to which there seems to be some, reference here. And he at whose voice all this shall be, must be equal to God.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Unto the resurrection of life ( ). is an old word (Aeschylus) from , to raise up, to arise. This combination occurs nowhere else in the N.T. nor does “the resurrection of judgement” ( ), but in Lu 14:14 there is the similar phrase “in the resurrection of the just” ( ). Only there note both articles. Here without the articles it can mean “to a resurrection of life” and “to a resurrection of judgement,” though the result is practically the same. There are two resurrections as to result, one to life, one to judgement. See both in Da 12:2.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Have done good – have done evil. Note again the use of the different verbs for doing with good and evil. See on 3 21. On the word for evil [] , see on 3 20.
Resurrection of life [ ] . The phrase occurs only here in the New Testament : so resurrection of judgment [ ] .
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And shall come forth; (kai ekporeusontai) “And they will come forth,” in obedient response to His voice. While living men may stop their ears and turn away from His voice, but not so, when He calls them from the grave. For there is no annihilation in death, Act 7:57; Rom 2:4-11.
2) “They that have done good,” (hoi ta agatha poiesantes) “Those who have repeatedly done good things,” as a pattern of life of obedient service, in harmony with their Divine or new nature, called to service and fruitbearing, Eph 2:10; Rom 6:4; Jas 1:22.
3) “Unto the resurrection of life; (eis anastasin zoes) Unto a resurrection of life,” to the glory of the Father, Joh 6:39-40; Job 19:25; 1Co 15:52; See also Dan 12:2; Mat 25:46.
4) “And they that have done evil,” (hoi ta phaula praksantes) “And those who have continually practiced foul things,” as a practice pattern of an evil nature only, after their own kind of evil, unregenerate nature only, for an evil tree can not bring forth good (ideal) fruit, Mat 7:17-18.
5) ”Unto the resurrection of damnation.” (eis anastasin kriseos) “Unto a resurrection of judgement, retribution, or torments, – Mat 3:10; Mat 7:19, Psa 1:4-6; Mat 25:46.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
29. And they who have done good. He points out believers by good works, as he elsewhere teaches that a tree is known by its fruit, (Mat 7:16; Luk 6:44.) He praises their good works, to which they have begun to devote themselves since they were called. For the robber, to whom Christ on the cross (Luk 23:42) promised life, and who had all his life been given up to crimes, expresses a desire to do good with his latest breath; but as he is born again a new man, and from being the slave of sin begins to be a servant of righteousness, the whole course of his past life is not taken into account before God. Besides, the sins themselves, on account of which believers every day subject themselves to condemnation, are not imputed to them. For without the pardon which God grants to those who believe in Him, (104) there never was a man in the world of whom we can say that he has lived well; nor is there even a single work that will be reckoned altogether good, unless God pardon the sins which belong to it, for all are imperfect and corrupted. Those persons, therefore, are here called doers of good works whom Paul calls earnestly desirous or zealous of them, ( Titus 2:14.) But this estimate depends on the fatherly kindness of God, who by free grace approves what deserved to be rejected.
The inference which the Papists draw from those passages — that eternal life is suspended on the merits of works — may be refuted without any difficulty. For Christ does not now treat of the cause of salvation, but merely distinguishes the elect from the reprobate by their own mark; and he does so in order to invite and exhort his own people to a holy and blameless life. And indeed we do not deny that the faith which justifies us is accompanied by an earnest desire to live well and righteously; but we only maintain that our confidence cannot rest on any thing else than on the mercy of God alone.
(104) “ Sans le pardon que Dieu fait a ses fideles.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(29) Damnation.Better, judgment. See Note on Joh. 3:20. On done good and done (practised) evil, see Notes on Joh. 3:20-21. It is remarkable that these are the only instances where the words here and there used for practice and for evil occur in St. John. This double opposition, and the use of words which He does not use again, support the distinction in the earlier Note. The passages are comments on each other. The law of the spiritual resurrection now is the law of that which shall be hereafter. Those who, working out the truth, come to the light now, that their deeds may be manifested, because they are wrought in God, shall in the final testing, when the secrets of every heart shall be revealed, rise unto the resurrection of life, to dwell in eternal light. Those who, practising evil, choose the darkness now, shall in that final testing, when whatsoever has been spoken in the darkness shall be heard in the light, rise unto the resurrection of condemnation (Act. 24:15), bound in chains of darkness, and be cast into outer darkness. (Comp. Notes on Mat. 8:12; Mat. 25:46 and 1Co. 3:13 et seq.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
29. Shall come forth The coming forth of all precedes the judgment. At one hour, one voice, one coming forth, is the resurrection of all, preparatory to the judgment at once performed.
Resurrection of life In which the spiritual life, implanted in the soul at the first resurrection, (Joh 5:24-25,) is developed into the glorified life. Resurrection of damnation Opposed to the resurrection of life; and so, is a resurrection to eternal death.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
Ver. 29. They that have done good ] In die iudicii plus valebit conscientia pura quam marsupia plena. Bern., Dan 12:1-2 . Though other things be darkly delivered, yet when the Jews were to lose land and life, the resurrection is plainly described. So Heb 11:35 .
Unto the resurrection of damnation ] As Pharaoh’s baker came forth to be hanged when the butler was exalted. Good therefore is the counsel given us by the heathen orator, Ita vivamus ut rationem nobis reddendem arbitremur. The wicked shall come forth of their graves like filthy toads, against that terrible storm,Psa 9:17Psa 9:17 . The elements shall melt like scalding lead upon them, &c., 2Pe 3:10 ;
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
done = wrought. Greek. poieo = accomplished (referring to the object, aim or end of the act), and generally associated with good.
good = good things (Plural)
the = a. resurrection. Greek. anastasis. App-178.
done (Greek. prasso. Compare Joh 3:20, Joh 3:21) = practised (referring to the means by which the object is obtained) and is associated with evil, as are four out of six occurrences of the noun praxis (= deed), Mat 16:27. Luk 23:51. Act 19:18. Rom 8:13; Rom 12:4. Col 3:9.
evil = evil things (plural) Same word as in Joh 3:20.
damnation = judgment. Greek. krisis, as in Joh 5:22.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Joh 5:29. ) the resurrection of life, ordained to live.[107] [108][107] , evil) Dost thou desire to know whether thy portion shall be in the resurrection of life or of condemnation? Then sift thoroughly thy course of action, whether it is good or bad; but remember to examine thine accounts, not according to thine own fancy, but according to the truth of the case.-V. g.
[108] , the resurrection of condemnation) It would be inappropriate to term it the resurrection of death: but yet it is opposed to the resurrection of life. Therefore sinners indeed shall rise again, but from death to death; their resurrection shall not be a regeneration [Mat 19:28.-E. and T.], but an abortion.-V. g.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Joh 5:29
Joh 5:29
and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment.-They that have done good or kept the laws will be raised to life eternal. They that have done evil to a condemnation of eternal death or banishment from the presence of God. [Jesus makes it clear that there is a judgment beyond the grave, and that there is also a general resurrection.]
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
come: Dan 12:2, Dan 12:3, Mat 25:31-46, Act 24:15
done good: Luk 14:14, Rom 2:6-10, Gal 6:8-10, 1Ti 6:18, Heb 13:16, 1Pe 3:11
Reciprocal: 1Ki 17:22 – and he revived 2Ki 13:21 – touched Job 14:14 – shall he live Psa 68:20 – unto Psa 133:3 – even life Ecc 8:13 – it shall Ecc 12:14 – General Isa 26:19 – dead men Jer 32:19 – to give Eze 33:20 – I will Eze 37:4 – O ye Mat 10:28 – able Mat 22:30 – in the Mat 25:6 – a cry Mat 25:46 – everlasting Mar 5:41 – Damsel Luk 7:14 – Young Luk 8:54 – Maid Luk 20:35 – to Joh 5:19 – and Joh 5:20 – greater Joh 11:24 – I know Act 26:8 – General Rom 8:11 – he that raised 1Co 6:14 – by Phi 2:10 – under Heb 6:2 – resurrection Heb 11:35 – that they 1Pe 4:5 – that Rev 20:12 – I saw Rev 20:13 – the sea
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
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There will be only one literal resurrection day, on which all of the dead will come forth. The fact of coming from the dead will not depend upon character or conduct, for the whole human family that has died will come forth. The hour that the voice of Christ calls is the one instant when the tremendous event will occur. But as to what will be awaiting them after coming to life again, that does depend on their conduct, as stated in this verse. This resurrection and what will follow is predicted in Dan 12:2.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Joh 5:29. And they that have done good shall go forth unto a resurrection of life; but they that have committed evil unto a resurrection of judgment. Those who have committed evil, whose deeds have not been the abiding fruit and work of the truth, but merely the repeated manifestation of evil in its vanity and worthlessness (see Joh 3:20), shall go forth to a resurrection to which belongs abiding judgment. And these alone come into judgment (compare Joh 5:24). As in Joh 3:18 it is said that he that believeth in Him is not judged, so here, they that have done good shall go forth unto a resurrection of life. The difference between the two passages is, that in the one the faith is named; in the other, the works which are the expression of the life that follows faith, the abiding fruit of faith. It will be observed that the expressions resurrection of life and resurrection of judgment denote states, not acts, of resurrection. No general judgment, therefore, is here mentioned: all that is spoken of is a general resurrection, on the part of some to a continuing life, of others to a continuing judgment.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
5:29 {8} And shall come {l} forth; they that have done good, unto the {m} resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
(8) Faith and infidelity will be judged by their fruits.
(l) From their graves.
(m) To that resurrection which has everlasting life following it: against which is set the resurrection of condemnation, that is, which is followed by condemnation.