What does John 5:25 mean?
For the third time in this short passage, Jesus uses the phrase "Amēn, amēn, legō hymin…"—"truly, truly I say to you"—which implies absolute, first-hand knowledge. In prior verses, Jesus has claimed to possess the works (John 5:19), love (John 5:20), life-and-death power (John 5:21), judgment (John 5:22), and honor (John 5:23) of God. It makes sense, then, for Jesus to point out that those who do not accept Him do not accept God (John 5:24).Since Jesus has the power over life and death, and the power of God's judgment, only those who believe in Him will see eternal life. In practical terms, this verse is a reference to salvation. The first aspect of our salvation is spiritual: we need to be rescued from spiritual death, which is separation from God.
In this verse, Jesus foreshadows several aspects of His power over life and death. The healing of a man crippled for thirty-eight years (John 5:1–15) symbolized His power over life and the physical body. Later in this Gospel, He will prove His power over death by raising Lazarus (John 11). He will show how complete this power is by rising from the grave Himself (Matthew 28:5–6). And, at some point in the future, Jesus Christ will call all the dead out of their graves for eternal judgment (John 5:28–29; Revelation 20:12).