King James Version

What Does John 5:24 Mean?

John 5:24 in the King James Version says “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and s... — study this verse from John chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

John 5:24 · KJV


Context

22

For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

23

That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

24

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

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.

26

For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse contains three astounding promises to those who hear Christ's word and believe the Father: eternal life (present possession), no condemnation (judicial acquittal), and passing from death to life (completed transition). The perfect tense 'hath' indicates present, permanent possession of eternal life—not future hope but current reality. 'Shall not come into condemnation' promises believers escape judgment (Romans 8:1). The transfer from death to life is past tense ('is passed'), indicating a decisive, completed event at conversion.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This directly contradicts works-based Judaism which saw eternal life as future reward for covenant faithfulness. Jesus offers immediate, complete salvation through faith alone. The terminology of 'life' and 'death' as present spiritual states was revolutionary.

Reflection Questions

  1. Do you have assurance of eternal life now, or are you hoping to earn it?
  2. How does knowing you've already 'passed from death to life' impact your daily security in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 31 words
ἀμὴν1 of 31

Verily

G281

properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)

ἀμὴν2 of 31

Verily

G281

properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)

λέγω3 of 31

I say

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

ὑμῖν4 of 31

unto you

G5213

to (with or by) you

ὅτι5 of 31
G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

6 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τὸν7 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λόγον8 of 31

word

G3056

something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a

μου9 of 31

my

G3450

of me

ἀκούων10 of 31

He that heareth

G191

to hear (in various senses)

καὶ11 of 31

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

πιστεύων12 of 31

believeth

G4100

to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch

τῷ13 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πέμψαντί14 of 31

on him that sent

G3992

to dispatch (from the subjective view or point of departure, whereas ???? (as a stronger form of ????) refers rather to the objective point or <i>term

με15 of 31

me

G3165

me

ἔχει16 of 31

hath

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

ζωήν17 of 31

life

G2222

life (literally or figuratively)

αἰώνιον18 of 31

everlasting

G166

perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well)

καὶ19 of 31

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εἰς20 of 31

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

κρίσιν21 of 31

condemnation

G2920

decision (subjectively or objectively, for or against); by extension, a tribunal; by implication, justice (especially, divine law)

οὐκ22 of 31

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἔρχεται23 of 31

come

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

ἀλλὰ24 of 31

but

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

μεταβέβηκεν25 of 31

is passed

G3327

to change place

ἐκ26 of 31

from

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τοῦ27 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θανάτου28 of 31

death

G2288

(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)

εἰς29 of 31

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὴν30 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ζωήν31 of 31

life

G2222

life (literally or figuratively)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 5:24 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 5:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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