John Calvin Commentary John 5:28

"Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice," — John 5:28 (ASV)

Wonder not at this. We may be inclined to think that he argues inconclusively in drawing a confirmation of what he had said from the last resurrection, for raising bodies is not a display of greater power than raising minds. I reply, his comparison between the greater and the lesser is not drawn from the fact itself, but from human opinion; for, being carnal, they admire nothing but what is outward and visible. Consequently, they overlook the resurrection of the soul with little concern, while the resurrection of the body arouses greater admiration in them. Another effect of our profound foolishness is that things perceived by the eyes have a more powerful influence in producing faith than those received by faith alone. When he mentions the last day, that limitation—and now is—is not added again, but he simply declares that the time will one day arrive.

But another objection arises. For although believers expect the resurrection of bodies, they cannot rely on their knowledge of it to conclude that souls are now rescued from death simply because bodies will one day rise from the graves. And among ungodly people, what would be considered more ridiculous than to prove an unknown thing (to use a common phrase) by something even less known?

I reply, Christ here speaks confidently of his power over the reprobate, testifying that the Father has entrusted to him the full restoration of all things, as if he had said, “What I tell you I have now begun, I will one day finish before your eyes.” And indeed, when Christ now, by the voice of his Gospel, gives life to souls that had been sunk in perdition, it is a kind of preparation for the last resurrection.

Again, since he includes the whole human race, he immediately distinguishes between the elect and the reprobate. This division shows that the reprobate, just as they are now summoned by Christ’s voice to come to judgment, will also by that same voice be dragged and brought to appear at his tribunal.

But why does he mention only those who are shut up in graves, as if others would not share in the resurrection, whether they have been drowned, devoured by wild beasts, or reduced to ashes? The answer is that, since the dead are commonly buried, by the figure of speech called synecdoche, he employs a part to denote all who are already dead. And this is more emphatic than if he had simply said, the dead; for the grave withdraws from the world, as it were, those whom death has already deprived of life and light.

Shall hear his voice. The voice of the Son means the sound of the trumpet, which will sound by Christ’s command and power (Matthew 24:31; 1 Corinthians 15:52). For though an angel will be a herald or forerunner (1 Thessalonians 4:16), this does not prevent what is done by the Judge's authority, and as it were in his own person, from being ascribed to him.