John 5:26
New International Version
For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.

New Living Translation
The Father has life in himself, and he has granted that same life-giving power to his Son.

English Standard Version
For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.

Berean Standard Bible
For as the Father has life in Himself, so also He has granted the Son to have life in Himself.

Berean Literal Bible
For as the Father has life in Himself, so also He gave to the Son to have life in Himself.

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

New King James Version
For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself,

New American Standard Bible
For just as the Father has life in Himself, so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself;

NASB 1995
“For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself;

NASB 1977
“For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself;

Legacy Standard Bible
For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself;

Amplified Bible
For just as the Father has life in Himself [and is self-existent], even so He has given to the Son to have life in Himself [and be self-existent].

Christian Standard Bible
For just as the Father has life in himself, so also he has granted to the Son to have life in himself.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For just as the Father has life in Himself, so also He has granted to the Son to have life in Himself.

American Standard Version
For as the Father hath life in himself, even so gave he to the Son also to have life in himself:

Contemporary English Version
The Father has the power to give life, and he has given that same power to the Son.

English Revised Version
For as the Father hath life in himself, even so gave he to the Son also to have life in himself:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The Father is the source of life, and he has enabled the Son to be the source of life too.

Good News Translation
Just as the Father is himself the source of life, in the same way he has made his Son to be the source of life.

International Standard Version
Just as the Father has life in himself, so also he has granted the Son to have life in himself,

Majority Standard Bible
For as the Father has life in Himself, so also He has granted the Son to have life in Himself.

NET Bible
For just as the Father has life in himself, thus he has granted the Son to have life in himself,

New Heart English Bible
For as the Father has life in himself, even so he gave to the Son also to have life in himself.

Webster's Bible Translation
For as the Father hath life in himself, so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

Weymouth New Testament
For just as the Father has life in Himself, so He has also given to the Son to have life in Himself.

World English Bible
For as the Father has life in himself, even so he gave to the Son also to have life in himself.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for as the Father has life in Himself, so He gave also to the Son to have life in Himself,

Berean Literal Bible
For as the Father has life in Himself, so also He gave to the Son to have life in Himself.

Young's Literal Translation
for, as the Father hath life in himself, so He gave also to the Son to have life in himself,

Smith's Literal Translation
For as the Father has life in himself, so also gave he to the Son to have life in himself;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For as the Father hath life in himself, so he hath given the Son also to have life in himself:

Catholic Public Domain Version
For just as the Father has life in himself, so also has he granted to the Son to have life in himself.

New American Bible
For just as the Father has life in himself, so also he gave to his Son the possession of life in himself.

New Revised Standard Version
For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For as the Father has life in himself, even so he has given to the Son also to have life in himself.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For just as The Father has The Life in himself, so he has given also to The Son to have The Life in himself.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For as the Father has life in himself, so has he given to the Son also to have life in himself;

Godbey New Testament
For as the Father hath life in Himself, so also He has given to His Son to have life also in Himself.

Haweis New Testament
For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son also to have life in himself;

Mace New Testament
for as the father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the son, to have life in himself;

Weymouth New Testament
For just as the Father has life in Himself, so He has also given to the Son to have life in Himself.

Worrell New Testament
For, as the Father hath life in Himself, so also He gave to the Son to have life in Himself;

Worsley New Testament
For as the Father hath life in Himself, so hath He given also to the Son to have life in Himself.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Father and the Son
25Truly, truly, I tell you, the hour is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26For as the Father has life in Himself, so also He has granted the Son to have life in Himself. 27And He has given Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man.…

Cross References
John 1:4
In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.

John 6:57
Just as the living Father sent Me and I live because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on Me will live because of Me.

1 John 5:11-12
And this is that testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. / Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

John 11:25
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies.

Colossians 1:19
For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him,

Colossians 2:9
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form.

1 Corinthians 15:45
So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam a life-giving spirit.

Romans 8:2
For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death.

Hebrews 7:16
one who has become a priest not by a law of succession, but by the power of an indestructible life.

Revelation 1:18
the Living One. I was dead, and behold, now I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades.

Genesis 2:7
Then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.

Deuteronomy 30:20
and that you may love the LORD your God, obey Him, and hold fast to Him. For He is your life, and He will prolong your life in the land that the LORD swore to give to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

Psalm 36:9
For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light.

Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 42:5
This is what God the LORD says—He who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and its offspring, who gives breath to the people on it and life to those who walk in it:


Treasury of Scripture

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

hath life.

Exodus 3:14
And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

Psalm 36:9
For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.

Psalm 90:2
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

so hath.

John 1:4
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

John 4:10
Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

John 7:37,38
In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink…

Jump to Previous
Granted Life
Jump to Next
Granted Life
John 5
1. Jesus on the Sabbath day cures him who was diseased thirty-eight years.
10. The Jews therefore object, and persecute him for it.
17. He answers for himself, and reproves them, showing by the testimony of his Father,
31. of John,
36. of his works,
39. and of the Scriptures, who he is.














For as the Father
This phrase introduces a comparison between the Father and the Son, emphasizing the divine relationship and unity between them. The Greek word for "Father" is "πατήρ" (patēr), which denotes not only a paternal figure but also one who is the originator or source. In the context of the Trinity, the Father is the source of divine life, underscoring His role as the eternal, self-existent God. Historically, this understanding of God as Father was revolutionary, as it introduced a personal and relational aspect to the divine, contrasting with the distant deities of other ancient religions.

has life in Himself
The phrase "has life in Himself" speaks to the self-existence and self-sufficiency of God. The Greek word for "life" is "ζωή" (zōē), which refers to the absolute fullness of life, both essential and ethical, which belongs to God. This life is not derived from any external source but is inherent in God's nature. Theologically, this concept is known as "aseity," meaning God is independent and uncaused. This self-existent life is a foundational attribute of God, affirming His eternal nature and sovereignty over all creation.

so also He has granted
The word "granted" in Greek is "ἔδωκεν" (edōken), which means to give or bestow. This indicates a deliberate act of the Father, conferring upon the Son the same self-existent life. This granting is not a transfer of power but an affirmation of the Son's divine nature and equality with the Father. It highlights the unity and distinct roles within the Trinity, where the Father, in His love and purpose, shares His divine life with the Son.

the Son
The term "Son" refers to Jesus Christ, emphasizing His unique relationship with the Father. In Greek, "υἱός" (huios) signifies not just a biological son but one who shares the same nature and essence. This title affirms the deity of Christ, as He possesses the same divine attributes as the Father. Historically, the early church councils, such as Nicaea, defended this truth against heresies that denied the full divinity of Christ, affirming that the Son is "of the same substance" as the Father.

to have life in Himself
This phrase reiterates the self-existence of the Son, mirroring that of the Father. The Son's possession of life "in Himself" underscores His divine authority and ability to give life to others, a central theme in the Gospel of John. Theologically, this speaks to the Son's role in creation and redemption, as He is the source of spiritual and eternal life for believers. This self-existent life is a testament to the Son's divinity and His integral role in the Godhead, providing assurance of His power to save and sustain those who trust in Him.

(26) Hath he given to the Son.--Better, gave He to the Son also.

Life in himself.--The Son has spoken of the dead hearing His voice and living, but this giving of life to others can only be by one who has in himself an original source of life. This the Father has, and this the Son also has. To the Son in His pre-existent state it was natural, as being equal with the Father. To the Son who had emptied Himself of the exercise of the attributes which constituted the glory of that state (comp. again Philippians 2:6 et seq.), it was part of the Father's gift by which He exalted Him exceedingly, and gave Him the name which is above every name. It was, then, a gift in time to One who had possessed it before all time, and for the purposes of the mediatorial work had relinquished it. It was a gift, not to the Eternal Son, but to the Incarnate Word.

Verse 26. - This verse, introduced by γὰρ, shows that the statement about to follow will sustain some portion of the previous one. Which portion? As it seems to me, the coming clause justifies the alteration of the term "the Son" into "the Son of God;" and declares, more fully than any other passage in the New Testament, the lofty and unique character of the Sonship which he claimed. For even as the Father hath life in himself - the sublime assumption of the self-existence and eternal being of the Father, the absolute Possessor of life per se, the Source ultimate and efficient of all that is connoted by life, the eternal Fountain of life - in like manner also he gave to the Son to have Life in himself. "He generated," as Augustine has it, "such a Son who should have life in himself, not as a participator in life, but one who should be as he himself is - Life itself." It is the bona fide expression of community of nature, attribute, quality, and possession of Godhead. In virtue of this utterance, the evangelist, learning from the consciousness of Christ through long years of meditation, under the power of the Spirit, eventually formulated the doctrine of the prologue, "In him was life." "The Son," or the God-Man, is, so far as this Sonship is concerned, the veritable Son of God with such a fulness of life power and such a fountain of life flowing from him, that his voice is the voice of the Eternal Son. This is the primary meaning, though since the Lord returned to his use of the word "the Son," and since the word "gave" is also employed to denote the stupendous conception, there is also involved in it the declaration that the God-Man, seeing he is both Son of God and Son of man, is endowed with all the functions of both. In his incarnation he has not lost the infinite fulness of life giving power. "He quickeneth whom he will," having life in himself. His voice is the voice of the Son of God. The glory of the Word who became flesh was the glory of the Only Begotten. The part which this great passage took in the Arian controversy is well known (see Athanasius, 'Discourses against Arians,' 3:3, translated by J.H. Newman). Archdeacon Watkins emphasizes the position that the Lord here speaks of "life in himself," which was given to the Son (God-Man) in virtue of, and as the reward of his sacrificial work. He points to Philippians 2:6, etc. But Jesus here speaks of a gift already made.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
For
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

as
ὥσπερ (hōsper)
Adverb
Strong's 5618: Just as, as, even as. From hos and per; just as, i.e. Exactly like.

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Father
Πατὴρ (Patēr)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3962: Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.

has
ἔχει (echei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

life
ζωὴν (zōēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2222: Life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence. From zao; life.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

Himself,
ἑαυτῷ (heautō)
Reflexive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself.

so
οὕτως (houtōs)
Adverb
Strong's 3779: Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows).

also
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

He has granted
ἔδωκεν (edōken)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.

the
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Son
Υἱῷ (Huiō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5207: A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.

to have
ἔχειν (echein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

life
ζωὴν (zōēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2222: Life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence. From zao; life.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

Himself.
ἑαυτῷ (heautō)
Reflexive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself.


Links
John 5:26 NIV
John 5:26 NLT
John 5:26 ESV
John 5:26 NASB
John 5:26 KJV

John 5:26 BibleApps.com
John 5:26 Biblia Paralela
John 5:26 Chinese Bible
John 5:26 French Bible
John 5:26 Catholic Bible

NT Gospels: John 5:26 For as the Father has life (Jhn Jo Jn)
John 5:25
Top of Page
Top of Page