Matthew Henry Commentary John 5:24-29

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth him that sent me, hath eternal life, and cometh not into judgment, but hath passed out of death into life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour cometh, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself, even so gave he to the Son also to have life in himself: and he gave him authority to execute judgment, because he is a son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment." — John 5:24-29 (ASV)

Our Lord declared His authority and character, as the Messiah. The time had come when the dead would hear His voice, as the Son of God, and live. Our Lord first refers to His raising those who were dead in sin to newness of life by the power of the Spirit, and then to His raising the dead in their graves. The office of Judge of all men can only be exercised by one who has all knowledge and almighty power.

May we believe His testimony; thus our faith and hope will be in God, and we will not come into condemnation. And may His voice reach the hearts of those dead in sin, that they may do works meet for repentance and prepare for the solemn day.