{"id":2752,"date":"2013-10-03T03:18:30","date_gmt":"2013-10-02T21:18:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/intelligent-torvalds.74-208-171-134.plesk.page\/?p=2752"},"modified":"2026-07-03T17:27:37","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T22:27:37","slug":"condemnation-or-judgment-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/?p=2752","title":{"rendered":"Condemnation or Judgment? – Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

I received the following question in a personal email:<\/span><\/p>\n

John 5: 28 and 29\u00a0<\/em> \u201cDo not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out —\u00a0 Those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

OK.\u00a0 I don\u2019t really like these verses because it\u2019s like the verses about the sheep and the goats and the wheat and the tares.\u00a0 It makes it seem like some people are going to be saved and others aren\u2019t.<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

HOWEVER,\u00a0couple it with Romans 7:14-20 and it seems to mean something else.\u00a0 In Romans 7:20<\/em> \u201cNow if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Now that verse seems like a real cop out!\u00a0 I\u2019ve never understood it very well.\u00a0 But it seems to be saying that that part of the person doing \u201cevil\u201d is separate from the person himself or herself (maybe as far as east is from the west??).<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

So maybe John 5:28 and 29 can be talking about all us dead being raised and our \u201cold selves\u201d get condemned and our \u201cnew selves\u201d live eternally with the Lord.\u00a0 After all, the one on the white throne in Revelation said he was going to make all things new.<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I hope the whole point is God\u2019s going to save everybody!\u00a0 Am I nuts???<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Do not be amazed at this<\/i>, Jesus said, because a time is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear<\/a> his voice <\/i>[Table<\/a>] and will come out \u2013 the ones who have done what is good to the resurrection resulting in life, and the ones who have done what is evil to the resurrection resulting in condemnation<\/i> (\u03ba\u03c1\u03af\u03c3\u03b5\u03c9\u03c2<\/a>, a form of \u03ba\u03c1\u03af\u03c3\u03b9\u03c2<\/a>).1<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 The first two things I noticed were, 1) the phrase do not be amazed at this<\/i> invited me to look earlier in the passage for Jesus\u2019 meaning, and 2) \u03ba\u03c1\u03af\u03c3\u03b9\u03c2<\/a> (\u03ba\u03c1\u03af\u03c3\u03b5\u03c9\u03c2<\/a>), judgment<\/i>, was translated as if it were \u03ba\u03b1\u03c4\u03ac\u03ba\u03c1\u03b9\u03c3\u03b9\u03c2<\/a> (\u03ba\u03b1\u03c4\u03b1\u03ba\u03c1\u03af\u03c3\u03b5\u03c9\u03c2<\/a>),2<\/sup><\/a> a judgment against<\/i>, condemnation<\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

In context, Jesus was answering Jewish leaders who wanted to kill him because not only was he breaking the Sabbath<\/i> [by healing a man through the words, \u201cStand up<\/a>!\u00a0 Pick up your mat and walk\u201d<\/i>3<\/sup><\/a>], but he was also calling God his own Father, thus making himself equal with God<\/i>.4<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 For the Father loves the Son<\/i>, Jesus continued, and shows him everything he does, and will show him greater deeds than these, so that you will be amazed<\/i>.5<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Then He specified two of these greater deeds<\/i>:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Greater Deeds\u2026so that you will be amazed\u2026<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomever\u00a0he wishes (\u03b8\u03ad\u03bb\u03b5\u03b9<\/a>, a form of \u03b8\u03ad\u03bb\u03c9<\/a>).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

John 5:21 (NET)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Furthermore, the Father does not judge (\u03ba\u03c1\u03af\u03bd\u03b5\u03b9<\/a>, a form of \u03ba\u03c1\u03af\u03bd\u03c9<\/a>) anyone,\u00a0but has assigned all judgment (\u03ba\u03c1\u03af\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd<\/a>, another form of \u03ba\u03c1\u03af\u03c3\u03b9\u03c2<\/a>) to the Son\u2026<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

John 5:22 (NET)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

And He did this so that all people will honor<\/a> the Son just as they honor<\/a> the Father. \u00a0The one who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him<\/i>.6<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

So the themes of Jesus\u2019 discourse are that the Son gives life to whomever he wishes<\/i>, and the Father\u2026has assigned all judgment to the Son<\/i>.\u00a0 These themes were repeated, just in case I missed them: For just as the Father has life in himself, thus he has granted the Son to have life in himself, and he has granted the Son authority to execute<\/i> (\u03c0\u03bf\u03b9\u03b5\u1fd6\u03bd<\/a>, a form of \u03c0\u03bf\u03b9\u03ad\u03c9<\/a>) judgment<\/i> (\u03ba\u03c1\u03af\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd<\/a>, another form of \u03ba\u03c1\u03af\u03c3\u03b9\u03c2<\/a>), because he is the Son of Man<\/i>.7<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 So I wondered what prompted the translators to make such an abrupt change to Jesus\u2019 stated themes (John 5:24, 25 NET):<\/span><\/p>\n

I tell you the solemn truth, the one who hears my message and believes the one who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned (\u03b5\u1f30\u03c2<\/a> \u03ba\u03c1\u03af\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd<\/a> \u03bf\u1f50\u03ba<\/a> \u1f14\u03c1\u03c7\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9<\/a>; literally, \u201cinto judgment will not come\u201d [or \u201cgo\u201d]),<\/em> but has crossed over from death to life. \u00a0I tell you the solemn truth, a time is coming \u2013 and is now here \u2013 when the dead will hear<\/a> the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live [Table<\/a>].<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

A note (48<\/a>) in the NET acknowledged the more literal meaning: \u201cGrk<\/i> \u2018and does not come into judgment.\u2019\u201d\u00a0 There is a significant difference between not coming into judgment at all, and coming into judgment but not being condemned. \u00a0Consider Jesus\u2019 words recorded by Matthew (25:31, 32 NET):<\/span><\/p>\n

When the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels<\/a> with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. \u00a0All the nations (\u1f14\u03b8\u03bd\u03b7<\/a>, a form of \u1f14\u03b8\u03bd\u03bf\u03c2<\/a>) <\/em>will be assembled<\/a> before him, and he will separate<\/a> people one from another like a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats [Table<\/a>].<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

If the one who hears<\/i> [Jesus\u2019] message and believes the one who sent<\/i> Him \u201cdoes not come into judgment,\u201d that one would not be present at this event as a participant.\u00a0 It makes some sense, since the stated criteria for separating the \u201csheep\u201d from the \u201cgoats\u201d is not hearing Jesus\u2019 message and believing the one who sent Him, but something else entirely (Matthew 25:35, 36, 40 NET).<\/span><\/p>\n

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited<\/a> me [Table<\/a>]<\/em>\u2026I tell you the truth, just as you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did it for me.<\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Conversely, the only people who would not hear the words, Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world<\/i>,8<\/sup><\/a> are those who managed to live their entire lives without showing a single human kindness to one of the Lord\u2019s brothers or sisters.\u00a0 I, too,\u00a0was socialized into essentially the same religion as the translators of the NET.\u00a0 I can feel how this alone might give them cause to translate the phrase \u03b5\u1f30\u03c2<\/a> \u03ba\u03c1\u03af\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd<\/a> \u03bf\u1f50\u03ba<\/a> \u1f14\u03c1\u03c7\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9<\/a> as will not be condemned<\/i> (making the one who hears<\/i> [Jesus\u2019] message and believes the one who sent<\/i> Him the \u201csheep\u201d Jesus spoke about\u00a0in Matthew’s Gospel).\u00a0 But consider Peter\u2019s response to the Jewish leaders who questioned him (Acts 4:8-12 NET):<\/span><\/p>\n

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, replied, \u201cRulers of the people and elders<\/a>, if we are being examined today for a good deed done to a sick man \u2013 by what means this man was healed<\/a> \u2013 [Table<\/a>]<\/em> let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, this man stands before you healthy. \u00a0This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by<\/i><\/b> you, the builders<\/a>, that has become the cornerstone<\/i><\/b>. \u00a0And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no<\/a> other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved\u201d [Table<\/a>].<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

We have taken this to mean that the only way to be saved is to hear [Jesus\u2019] message and believe the One who sent Him.\u00a0 And we have added to it, more or less, say a sinner\u2019s prayer, get baptized, go to my church, like me, and tell me how good and wise I am to have understood this before you.\u00a0 But if Jesus, who may give life to whomever he wishes<\/i>, who has been granted the…authority to execute<\/i> judgment<\/i>, decides that not only those who hear his message and believe the One who sent Him, but those who show them kindness, are worthy of the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world<\/i>, who am I to dispute Him?\u00a0 Are they saved by some other name when it is Jesus who sits on the throne, judges them worthy and grants them life?\u00a0 Am<\/i>9<\/sup><\/a> I not permitted to do what I want with what belongs to me?<\/i> He asked in a parable.\u00a0 Or<\/i>10<\/sup><\/a> are you envious because I am generous<\/i> (\u1f00\u03b3\u03b1\u03b8\u03cc\u03c2<\/a>)?<\/i>11<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Do not be amazed at this<\/i>, Jesus continued his discourse with the Jewish leaders who wanted to kill Him, because a time is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear<\/a> his voice <\/i>[Table<\/a>] and will come out \u2013 the ones who have done what is good<\/i> (\u1f00\u03b3\u03b1\u03b8\u1f70<\/a> [another form of \u1f00\u03b3\u03b1\u03b8\u03cc\u03c2<\/a>] \u03c0\u03bf\u03b9\u03ae\u03c3\u03b1\u03bd\u03c4\u03b5\u03c2<\/a> [a form of \u03c0\u03bf\u03b9\u03ad\u03c9<\/a>]) to the resurrection resulting in life<\/i> (\u03b5\u1f30\u03c2<\/a> \u1f00\u03bd\u03ac\u03c3\u03c4\u03b1\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd<\/a> \u03b6\u03c9\u1fc6\u03c2<\/a>), and the ones who have done what is evil<\/i> (\u03c6\u03b1\u1fe6\u03bb\u03b1<\/a> \u03c0\u03c1\u03ac\u03be\u03b1\u03bd\u03c4\u03b5\u03c2<\/a>) to the resurrection resulting in condemnation<\/i> (\u03b5\u1f30\u03c2<\/a> \u1f00\u03bd\u03ac\u03c3\u03c4\u03b1\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd<\/a> \u03ba\u03c1\u03af\u03c3\u03b5\u03c9\u03c2<\/a>).12<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Viewed as I\u2019ve been suggesting here one can\u2019t arbitrarily assume that everyone who comes into judgment will be condemned.\u00a0 Some, if not many, if not most, will hear the Lord say, Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world<\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

So it seems more appropriate to me to translate the verse more literally: the ones who have done what is good<\/i>, that is the ones who heard Jesus\u2019 message and believed the One who sent Him, hear his voice and will come out<\/i> [of their tombs]\u2026to the resurrection resulting in life<\/i> [they have eternal life13<\/sup><\/a>]; while those who have done <\/i>[literally, practiced<\/i>] what is evil<\/i> (\u03c6\u03b1\u1fe6\u03bb\u03b1<\/a>) [that is anything that kept them from hearing Jesus\u2019 message and believing the One who sent Him] will come out<\/i> [of their tombs]\u2026to the resurrection resulting in<\/i> judgment (as opposed to condemnation<\/i>).<\/span><\/p>\n

I can do nothing on my own initiative<\/i>, Jesus concluded.\u00a0 Just as I hear, I judge <\/i>(\u03ba\u03c1\u03af\u03bd\u03c9<\/a>), and my judgment\u00a0<\/i>(\u03ba\u03c1\u03af\u03c3\u03b9\u03c2<\/a>) is just, because I do not seek my own will, but the will of the one<\/a> who sent me<\/i>.14<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Addendum<\/b>: July 3, 2026<\/span>
\nA table comparing Matthew 20:15<\/a> in the NET and KJV follows.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\n

<\/a>Matthew 20:15 (NET)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Matthew 20:15 (KJV)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Am I not permitted to do what I want with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/td>\nIs it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?<\/span><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Matthew 20:15 (NET Parallel Greek)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Matthew 20:15 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Matthew 20:15 (Byzantine Majority Text)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\u03bf\u1f50\u03ba \u1f14\u03be\u03b5\u03c3\u03c4\u03b9\u03bd \u03bc\u03bf\u03b9 \u1f43 \u03b8\u1f73\u03bb\u03c9 \u03c0\u03bf\u03b9\u1fc6\u03c3\u03b1\u03b9 \u1f10\u03bd \u03c4\u03bf\u1fd6\u03c2 \u1f10\u03bc\u03bf\u1fd6\u03c2\u037e \u1f22<\/a><\/b> \u1f41 \u1f40\u03c6\u03b8\u03b1\u03bb\u03bc\u1f79\u03c2 \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u03c0\u03bf\u03bd\u03b7\u03c1\u1f79\u03c2 \u1f10\u03c3\u03c4\u03b9\u03bd \u1f45\u03c4\u03b9 \u1f10\u03b3\u1f7c \u1f00\u03b3\u03b1\u03b8\u1f79\u03c2 \u03b5\u1f30\u03bc\u03b9<\/span><\/span><\/td>\n\u03b7<\/a><\/b> \u03bf\u03c5\u03ba \u03b5\u03be\u03b5\u03c3\u03c4\u03b9\u03bd \u03bc\u03bf\u03b9 \u03c0\u03bf\u03b9\u03b7\u03c3\u03b1\u03b9 \u03bf \u03b8\u03b5\u03bb\u03c9 \u03b5\u03bd \u03c4\u03bf\u03b9\u03c2 \u03b5\u03bc\u03bf\u03b9\u03c2 \u03b5\u03b9<\/a> \u03bf \u03bf\u03c6\u03b8\u03b1\u03bb\u03bc\u03bf\u03c2 \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u03c0\u03bf\u03bd\u03b7\u03c1\u03bf\u03c2 \u03b5\u03c3\u03c4\u03b9\u03bd \u03bf\u03c4\u03b9 \u03b5\u03b3\u03c9 \u03b1\u03b3\u03b1\u03b8\u03bf\u03c2 \u03b5\u03b9\u03bc\u03b9<\/span><\/span><\/td>\n\u03b7<\/b> \u03bf\u03c5\u03ba \u03b5\u03be\u03b5\u03c3\u03c4\u03b9\u03bd \u03bc\u03bf\u03b9 \u03c0\u03bf\u03b9\u03b7\u03c3\u03b1\u03b9 \u03bf \u03b8\u03b5\u03bb\u03c9 \u03b5\u03bd \u03c4\u03bf\u03b9\u03c2 \u03b5\u03bc\u03bf\u03b9\u03c2 \u03b5\u03b9 \u03bf \u03bf\u03c6\u03b8\u03b1\u03bb\u03bc\u03bf\u03c2 \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u03c0\u03bf\u03bd\u03b7\u03c1\u03bf\u03c2 \u03b5\u03c3\u03c4\u03b9\u03bd \u03bf\u03c4\u03b9 \u03b5\u03b3\u03c9 \u03b1\u03b3\u03b1\u03b8\u03bf\u03c2 \u03b5\u03b9\u03bc\u03b9<\/span><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\n
Condemnation or Judgment? – Part 2<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
Back to Condemnation or Judgment? – Part 3<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
Back to Condemnation or Judgment? – Part 4<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
Back to My Reasons and My Reason, Part 3<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
Back to Condemnation or Judgment? – Part 6<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
Back to Romans, Part 54<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\n

1<\/sup><\/a> John 5:28, 29 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

2<\/sup><\/a> 2 Corinthians 3:9<\/a> Table<\/a> For if there was glory in the ministry that produced condemnation<\/i> (\u03ba\u03b1\u03c4\u03b1\u03ba\u03c1\u1f77\u03c3\u03b5\u03c9\u03c2<\/a>, a form of \u03ba\u03b1\u03c4\u03ac\u03ba\u03c1\u03b9\u03c3\u03b9\u03c2<\/a>)…<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

3<\/sup><\/a> John 5:8 (NET)<\/a> Table<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

4<\/sup><\/a> John 5:18 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

5<\/sup><\/a> John 5:20 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

6<\/sup><\/a> John 5:23 (NET) Table<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

7<\/sup><\/a> John 5:26, 27 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

8<\/sup><\/a> Matthew 25:34 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

9<\/sup><\/a> The Stephanus Textus Receptus<\/a>, Byzantine Majority Text<\/a> and NA28<\/sup><\/a> had the relative pronoun \u1f22<\/a> at the beginning of this clause. (Or it might be the conjunction \u1f24<\/a>; either<\/i> … or<\/i>, see next note.) The NET parallel Greek<\/a> text did not.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

10<\/sup><\/a> The NET parallel Greek<\/a> text and NA28<\/sup><\/a> had \u1f22 here, translated as the conjunction \u1f24<\/a>, Or<\/i>, in the NET (though it looks more like the relative pronoun \u1f22<\/a>), where the Stephanus Textus Receptus<\/a> and Byzantine Majority Text<\/a> had \u03b5\u03b9<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

11<\/sup><\/a> Matthew 20:15 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

12<\/sup><\/a> John 5:28, 29 (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

13<\/sup><\/a> John 5:24 (NET)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

14<\/sup><\/a> John 5:30 (NET) Table<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I received the following question in a personal email: John 5: 28 and 29\u00a0 \u201cDo not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out —\u00a0 … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1945,2719],"tags":[1921,923,1911,1912,1913,1914,1916,1915,1910,955,916,1922,1917,1920,1918,1919],"class_list":["post-2752","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-condemnation-or-judgment","category-section-three","tag-acts-48-12","tag-john-518","tag-john-520","tag-john-521","tag-john-522","tag-john-523","tag-john-524-25","tag-john-526-27","tag-john-528-29","tag-john-530","tag-john-58","tag-matthew-2015","tag-matthew-2531-32","tag-matthew-2534","tag-matthew-2535-36","tag-matthew-2540"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2752","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2752"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2752\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30326,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2752\/revisions\/30326"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2752"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2752"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2752"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}