Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 5:21

"For as the Father raiseth the dead and giveth them life, even so the Son also giveth life to whom he will." — John 5:21 (ASV)

The Son is empowered by the Father. God is the source of life, who alone has power to reverse the processes of the material world and to bring life out of death. This supreme power he has conferred on the Son. Later Jesus demonstrates this power in the raising of Lazarus (11:41–44).