John 11
Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”
4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, 7 and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”
8 “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?”
9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. 10 It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.”
11 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”
12 His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” 13 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.
14 So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”
16 Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”
17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.
21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”
23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
28 After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” 29 When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.
32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked.
“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.
35 Jesus wept.
36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”
37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”
38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 “Take away the stone,” he said.
“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”
40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”
43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin.
“What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.”
49 Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! 50 You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”
51 He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, 52 and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. 53 So from that day on they plotted to take his life.
54 Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the people of Judea. Instead he withdrew to a region near the wilderness, to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples.
55 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover. 56 They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple courts they asked one another, “What do you think? Isn’t he coming to the festival at all?” 57 But the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who found out where Jesus was should report it so that they might arrest him.
John 11 Meaning
In John 11, we find the powerful story of the resurrection of Lazarus. This is a significant passage that showcases the authority and power of Jesus over death. It teaches us that Jesus is the source of life and that He has the power to conquer even the gravest of circumstances. It also serves as a reminder of the hope we have in Christ, knowing that death is not the end but rather a gateway to eternal life.
John 11 Commentary and Explanation
John 11 is a profound and deeply moving passage that speaks to the power of Jesus Christ and the significance of faith in our lives.
Verse 1-3: In these opening verses, we encounter the news of Lazarus’ illness and the plea for Jesus to come and heal him. This reminds us of the faith and trust that Lazarus’ sisters, Mary and Martha, had in Jesus’ ability to heal the sick (John 11:3). It also highlights the close relationship between Jesus and this family (John 11:5).
Verse 4-6: Jesus’ response to the news of Lazarus’ illness may seem surprising. He says, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” This statement foreshadows the miraculous resurrection to come. It reminds us of Jesus’ divine purpose and the ultimate glory that comes through His actions (John 12:23-24).
Verse 7-16: Jesus delays His journey to Bethany for two days, despite the urgency of the situation. This delay has profound spiritual significance. When He finally decides to go, He states, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” The disciples misunderstand Him, thinking Lazarus is merely sleeping. This prompts Jesus to clarify that Lazarus has indeed died. The use of “our friend” emphasizes the depth of Jesus’ relationships with His followers.
Verse 17-27: Upon arriving in Bethany, Jesus is met by Martha, who expresses her faith in Jesus’ power to bring Lazarus back to life on the last day (John 11:24-25). Jesus responds with the powerful declaration, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” This profound statement reaffirms the centrality of faith in Christ for eternal life (John 14:6).
Verse 28-37: Martha fetches Mary, who falls at Jesus’ feet in grief. Jesus is deeply moved by the sorrow of those around Him and the unbelief of some (John 11:33, 35). This verse famously contains the shortest verse in the Bible, “Jesus wept,” showing His empathy for human suffering and the pain of death.
Verse 38-44: The climactic moment of the chapter arrives as Jesus approaches Lazarus’ tomb. He commands the stone to be rolled away, and then He cries out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” Miraculously, Lazarus, who had been dead for four days, emerges from the tomb, still bound in grave clothes. This miraculous resurrection demonstrates Jesus’ power over death itself and foreshadows His own resurrection (John 20:1-9).
Verse 45-46: The reaction of the people who witness this incredible miracle is mixed. Some believe in Jesus, but others go to the Pharisees to report what they have seen. This division and disbelief in the face of undeniable evidence reflect the spiritual blindness of some hearts (John 3:19-20).
Verse 47-53: The Pharisees and chief priests, fearing the growing popularity of Jesus, begin to conspire against Him. Caiaphas, the high priest, unwittingly prophesies that Jesus would die for the nation and bring together the dispersed children of God. This passage underscores the divine plan of salvation through Jesus’ death (John 10:17-18).
Verse 54-57: As a result of the plot against Jesus, He withdraws to Ephraim for a time. The Passover is approaching, and people are discussing whether Jesus will attend. The leaders issue orders to report His whereabouts, setting the stage for the climactic events leading to His crucifixion and fulfillment of the prophesy of Caiaphas.
In John 11, we witness the demonstration of Jesus’ divine power, the importance of faith, and the deep emotions surrounding death and resurrection. This chapter invites us to reflect on our own faith in Jesus as the resurrection and the life, as well as our response to His miracles and teachings. It foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus for the salvation of humanity, making it a pivotal moment in the Gospel of John.
Also Read: John 17 Meaning and Commentary
Context of John 11
The context of John 11 is important in understanding its significance. Just prior to this chapter, Jesus had been teaching in Jerusalem, where the Jews attempted to stone Him. He then withdrew to the region near the Jordan River, where many people believed in Him. It is during this time that Jesus receives news of Lazarus’ illness. Bethany, where Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived, was only a few miles away from Jerusalem.
Bible Study on John 11
When studying John 11, it is essential to reflect on the authority and power of Jesus. We are reminded of His ability to bring life and hope into even the darkest situations. Just as Jesus called Lazarus out of the tomb, He calls each one of us to step out of the tomb of sin and experience the new life He offers through faith.
This passage also teaches us about the importance of trusting in Jesus’ timing. Although Martha and Mary were distraught over the delay, Jesus had a greater purpose in mind. Sometimes, God’s timing may not align with our own, but we can trust that He has a plan and that He will work all things together for good.
John 11 serves as a powerful reminder that even in the face of death, there is hope. We can find comfort and assurance in the fact that Jesus has conquered death and has prepared a place for us in eternity. It is through faith in Him that we can have confidence in our future resurrection.
Final Thoughts
The story of Lazarus’ resurrection is a testament to the power and authority of Jesus Christ. It teaches us that in Him, there is life and hope, even in the midst of death. It calls us to trust in His timing, knowing that He works all things together for good. Let us cling to the truth that Jesus is the resurrection and the life, and through Him, we have the assurance of eternal life.