Part One – Introduction and Background

This is Part Two – Resurrection

In John 5:21-40, Christ preached this section exactly as it should be. Though combined for effect by our Lord, writing for instruction here and admitting much overlap and repetition in Christ’s discussion as presented, we’ll examine, in turn, the four topics shown in verses 21 through 40: resurrection, life everlasting, judgment, and the witnesses of this first-century judgment. It’s presented in six parts, none long, for ease of reading. Read the entire chapter first.

Lesson 2, Resurrection

The question will run throughout verses 21 through 29, with 39 and 40, which verses speak of the spiritual new birth for the believer and which of the resurrection of the body? Well, some are clear, some less so. We can infer from Christ’s introduction of the topic in verse 21 that He does speak of both.

“21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.”

The distinction is given in verse 21 for teaching His audience who know of the Old Testament instances of resurrection. But Jesus doesn’t stop there and says He will quicken whosoever He will (Romans 10:13) to a new birth by the Spirit. See John 11:25. You must be in Christ.

By the time He’s done, Christ makes no distinction; what is done, is done in Christ, and you can have all the hope of heaven in Him, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” – Philippians 1:6. By His grace, your faith in Jesus Christ is enough (Ephesians 2:8-9). He is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless (Jude verse 24); we are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation (1 Peter 1:5).

There are several resurrections in the Bible. The first person raised from the dead in the Bible is the son of a widow in 1 Kings 17:17-22 as Elijah, the prophet of God, cries out to God for the boy’s soul to return to him. Jesus raises Lazarus (John 11:23-26), which is relevant here; Martha had learned well listening to the teachers at her local synagogue. And in case you haven’t heard, you’ll get to meet her one day, if you also believe as she did. The man who fell from a window is revived in the middle of Paul’s preaching (Acts 20:9-10). These are but a few examples. Certainly, the Pharisees would have known about the Window’s son; they believed in the resurrection; it was the sect of the Sadducees who did not (Acts 23:8).

Christ has already explained the spiritual new birth to Nicodemus, himself a Pharisee and on the ruling council (John 3:1-7). He is beginning to clarify the bodily resurrection and final judgment to His disciples and those standing by. We know both the new birth by the Spirit and bodily resurrections are facts of the eternal workings of God as He, through history, brings the final estate to fruition for His Church of faith.

Some today say the resurrection is past, though they can’t explain how they know or why we missed it. Paul dealt with this same thing, “Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.” – 2 Timothy 2:18. Don’t let your faith be overthrown.

Discussing the bodily resurrection can be confusing when speaking with lost sinners; it’s not recommended as an evangelist’s tactic. And never discuss judgment, death, and hell for sin without also showing the hope of eternity through the spiritual new birth by grace through faith in Christ crucified and resurrected. Though the Sadducees disputed it, Jesus is speaking with people who were well taught since childhood about the resurrection.

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