Jesus made a remarkable promise: he spoke about the second death and its significance for believers.
“Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.” (John 8:51)
At first glance, those words seem confusing because every person eventually dies physically. So what did Jesus mean?
In this passage, Jesus wasn’t talking about physical death. He was warning about something far more serious—the second death. Understanding what the second death is reveals why Jesus came and why faith in Him is the only escape from eternal judgment.
Why Did the Religious Leaders Insult Jesus? (John 8:48-50)
Bible Study Guide
(Verse 48-50) The Pharisee’s attempted to disparage Jesus by calling Him a Samaritan. To understand why they called Him a Samaritan, we can look back at Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well.
The Jews looked down upon the Samaritans. They were considered the lowest form of human life among the people of Israel. So in essence, they were calling Jesus a heretic. To add insult to injury they labeled Jesus as demon-possessed.
Jesus ignored their insults and continued to teach and do the work of the Father.
Reflect & Apply:
- How do you respond when people reject or mock your faith?
What Is the Second Death? (John 8:51-53)
(Verses 51-53) Jesus tries to teach them that those who believe in Him and follow Him will not experience death.
“Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.” (John 8:51)
The Pharisee’s understood Jesus teaching as physical death at the end of our life in this world. This is not what Jesus was referring to. In fact, Jesus was teaching them of a much different death.
Everyone dies physically. This is not the death Jesus was speaking of. He was speaking of the eternal death.
The first death is physical death. At the judgement at the end of this age, every unbeliever will be resurrected. the first physical death is not the end as many believe.
It is only the beginning of what will be eternity. But all will certainly be resurrected. There is no exemption.
Daniel first foretold of this:
“Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.” (Daniel 12:2)
Then Jesus spoke of it:
“Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.” (John 5:28-29)
Jesus spoke of this again in the book of Revelation:
“Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” (Revelation 21:7-8)
Learn more about the final judgment in The Great White Throne Judgment Explained.
The believers will not experience the second death. They will be brought into the promises and the glory of the Lord.
Reflect & Apply:
- Have you trusted Christ, knowing He is the only One who can save you from the second death?
- Have you trusted Christ with your eternal future? Jesus offers freedom from the second death to everyone who believes in Him.
Stages of the Resurrection
| Stage 1: | Christ was the first to be permanently resurrected from the grave. More resurrections will follow. |
| Stage 2: | Those who are saved will be raised (Rev. 20:5). First will be the church-age believers who have died and the believers who are alive on the earth when Jesus returns at the Rapture (1 Corinthians 15:51-52). Next, the Tribulation saints and the Old Testament saints (Daniel 12:1-2) will be raised at the end of the Tribulation period and will serve with Christ in the Millennium (Rev. 20:4-5) |
| Stage 3: | All unbelievers will be raised. At the end of Christ’s 1,000 year millennial reign, every unbelieving person will be resurrected to stand before the throne of God and give an account of his or her works (Rev. 20:11-15) at the Great White Throne Judgment. |
Why Is It Called the Second Death?
Many people assume that physical death is the end. But the Bible teaches that every person will one day be resurrected and stand before God.
Jesus explained this earlier in John’s Gospel:
“Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.” (John 5:28-29)
Every person experiences physical death unless Christ returns first. But physical death is not the end of our existence. Every person will be raised to stand before God. Those who have placed their faith in Jesus will receive eternal life, while those who reject Him will face judgment. The Bible calls this final and eternal separation from God the second death.
For the unbeliever, physical death marks the end of every opportunity to repent and trust in Christ. After death comes judgment. This is why Jesus urgently called people to believe in Him while there was still time. Through His death and resurrection, He offers forgiveness, eternal life, and victory over the second death to everyone who places their faith in Him.
Will You Be Born Once or Born Twice?
Every person is born once physically. Those who trust Christ are born again spiritually.
Those born twice die only once. Those born once die twice.
Therefore, it is better to be born twice (born again) and die once.
Learn how to begin a relationship with Christ in How to Follow Jesus and Receive Eternal Life.
Only one group of people who will avoid the first physical death. Those that are raptured. Because of their belief in Christ and being still alive on earth at the dawn of the tribulation, they will be “caught up” (raptured) to be with their Lord Jesus.
This is in accordance with His promise in Revelation 3:10 and all that the prophets had to say about the rapture in the Old Testament.
Whoever keeps their focus and trust in Christ will avoid the second death.
Discover what Jesus meant by being “born again” in What Does It Mean to Be Born Again?
Reflect & Apply:
How does knowing that physical death is not the end change the way you live today?
Rapture vs. Second Coming of Christ Comparison Chart
Why Didn’t the Pharisees Understand Jesus?
Jesus enter our world in order to teach us the things of heaven. Spiritual matters.
The minds of the Pharisees were wrapped around physical matters. This made it difficult for them to understand what Jesus was teaching.
There are many examples of this in scripture. The story of Nicodemus, Jesus teaching on being the living water, and the bread of life.
This is wonderful recurring theme throughout the book of John where Jesus teaches us on the things of heaven.
Jesus Declares, “I AM” (John 8:54-59)
(Verses 54-59) The climax of this passage comes when Jesus makes one of the strongest declarations of His deity in all of Scripture.
Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you… before Abraham was born, I am.” (John 8:58)
Jesus wasn’t simply saying that He existed before Abraham. He was identifying Himself as the eternal “I AM,” the very name God revealed to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). By using God’s divine name, Jesus declared that He is God.
The Jewish leaders understood exactly what He was claiming. That’s why they immediately picked up stones to kill Him. They recognized that Jesus was claiming equality with God and considered it blasphemy.
John ends this account by leaving every reader with the same question the crowd faced: Who is Jesus? If He truly is the eternal “I AM,” then He alone has the authority to forgive sins, give eternal life, and save us from the second death.
Reflect & Apply:
- Who do you believe Jesus is?
- Have you trusted the eternal “I AM” as your Lord and Savior?
Don’t Stop Here! Continue Discovering Who Jesus Is
Every chapter of John’s Gospel reveals another powerful truth about Jesus Christ. Continue your journey through John’s eyewitness account of the Savior.
Continue the John 1–10 Bible Study Series
Closing Reflection
Jesus Alone Has Power Over Death
Every person will experience physical death unless Christ returns first.
But only those who reject Jesus will experience the second death.
Jesus conquered death through His resurrection so everyone who believes in Him can receive eternal life.
The question is not whether you’ll live forever.
The question is: where will you live forever?
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for sending Jesus, the great “I AM,” to rescue us from sin and the second death. Strengthen our faith to trust Him completely, follow His Word faithfully, and boldly share the hope of eternal life with others. May our lives bring glory to You each day.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.