Commentary

19. Jesus spoke to them (the Pharisees questioning him). Jesus is telling them the truth that he, Jesus-the Son, is unable to do anything by himself. He is only able to do what he sees his Father doing. Jesus follows specifically and directly in his Father’s footsteps and mirrors what God wants him to do.

20. God loves Jesus and shows Jesus everything that He does. Jesus states that what the people have seen so far, God is going to show the people, through the actions of Jesus, things that will amaze the people so much more. More amazing things are going to happen, through Jesus by the grace of God.

21. The Father, God, raises the physically dead and gives them life through the intercession of Jesus (which He has done and shown). Similarly, Jesus is able to give life (eternal life) to the people on earth that he wants to give eternal life to; his followers.

22.The Father God no longer judges us. He has entrusted the Son, Jesus, to be the judge of humans from now on. But then again, God and Jesus are one.

23. Jesus is saying that if a person doesn’t honor Jesus, the Son of God, they are turning their back on God and not honoring Him

24. Jesus is saying that whoever hears what he has to say, and believes his words and believes that Jesus is the Son of God sent here by God, then that person will have eternal life with Jesus after their physical death. They won’t be judged, but instead will be “saved” by Jesus and promised eternal life. These people will have crossed over from a life ending in death (owned by Satan) to a life ending in eternal life (children of God saved by Jesus).

25.  Jesus is saying that the time is now, and that from now on when the people who have been servants of Satan/evil/death will hear Jesus’ words and understand them, and will will embrace his words, his message, the truth. These people who understand and embrace, will know Jesus is from God and that Jesus is the way to eternal life with God through Jesus… these people will live eternally past their physical death.

26-27. Jesus is saying that the Father has life in Himself, and has also given His Son Jesus the essence of life in Him. God is the eternal source of life; He gave His Son that also. So Jesus shares God’s eternal life giving essence. Jesus has been given by God the authority to give life, to judge and to offer eternal salvation. Jesus is defending his authority. He is saying he doesn’t act on his own, but in unity with God’s will. God gave Jesus the authority to judge.

28-30. Someday (only God knows when) when all people-those physically alive and those who have died-will rise at hearing God’s voice. Those who have done good will rise to live. Those who have done evil will be condemned. Jesus can only work and do anything with the help of God. Jesus judges at the direction of God (as he hears), so His judgement will always be just. Jesus doesn’t judge according to his feelings or to please himself, but ALWAYS to please God, who sent him.