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John 11

1Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister Martha.

1Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.

Commentary · verse 1

Lazarus was sick.

2And it was that Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.

2(It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)

Commentary · verse 2

Lazarus was Mary's brother. Mary was the woman who would anoint Jesus and wipe His feet with her hair (John 12:3). As we have seen, John did not limit the narrative: he freely jumped ahead, and went back, in time.

3The sisters therefore sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.

4But when Jesus heard it, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified thereby.

3Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.

4When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

Commentary · verses 3-4

Jesus stated Lazarus' sickness would not end in death and was for the glory of God.

5Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.

6When therefore he heard that he was sick, he abode at that time two days in the place where he was.

7Then after this he saith to the disciples, Let us go into Judæa again.

5Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.

6When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.

7Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judea again.

Commentary · verses 5-7

Pay attention to the timing of this story. When Jesus heard Lazarus was sick, He intentionally waited two days before deciding to go to Lazarus.

8The disciples say unto him, Rabbi, the Jews were but now seeking to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?

8His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?

Commentary · verse 8

The Disciples reminded Jesus that the religious leaders were looking to stone Him, and then asked Him whether He really wanted to return.

9Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If a man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.

10But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because the light is not in him.

11These things spake he: and after this he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus is fallen asleep; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.

9Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.

10But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.

11These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.

Commentary · verses 9-11

Jesus stayed two extra days and then left for Lazarus intentionally. Jesus' plan was not to heal Lazarus of his sickness but to raise Lazarus from the dead. Would the religious leaders look to stone someone who raised a person from the dead?

12The disciples therefore said unto him, Lord, if he is fallen asleep, he will recover.

13Now Jesus had spoken of his death: but they thought that he spake of taking rest in sleep.

12Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.

13Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.

Commentary · verses 12-13

The Disciples did not understand Jesus meant Lazarus was dead. The Disciples thought Lazarus was sleeping and were attempting to make Jesus aware that healing Lazarus would not be impressive enough to prevent His death.

14Then Jesus therefore said unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.

14Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.

Commentary · verse 14

Jesus stated that Lazarus was dead because the Disciples wouldn't have accepted returning back to Judaea for anything less.

Doctrine: In the Bible, "plainly" meant a direct statement. This verse proved Jesus had not directly/plainly stated "I am the Son of God." Jesus' response in a "plainly" fashion was "Lazarus is dead." Jesus' statement of His identity in a "plainly" fashion would have been "I am the Son of God." Jesus knew that Lazarus was dead. When did Lazarus die?

15And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.

15And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.

Commentary · verse 15

Jesus was glad He was not there because now people, including His Disciples, would believe.

16Thomas therefore, who is called Didymus, said unto his fellow-disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

16Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

Commentary · verse 16

This verse set the context that the Disciples realized the religious leaders wanted to kill Jesus and the Disciples thought the religious leaders would probably kill them as well. Thomas encouraged everyone to believe strong enough that they would be willing to die. This was the same person who would eventually doubt the Disciples' testifying of Jesus' resurrection as recorded in John 20:25.

17So when Jesus came, he found that he had been in the tomb four days already.

17Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.

Commentary · verse 17

By the time Jesus and His Disciples had arrived, Lazarus had been in the grave for four days. It must have been at least two days' journey from where Jesus was to Lazarus' tomb because if Jesus had left as soon as He heard, Lazarus would still be alive. However, once Jesus had waited two additional days, Lazarus had been dead four days, and Jesus said Lazarus was already dead when they left.

18Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off; 19and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to console them concerning their brother.

18Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:

19And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

Commentary · verses 18-19

Bethany was close enough to Jerusalem that many people were able to come to Martha and Mary, which meant there was a crowd when Jesus arrived.

20Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary still sat in the house.

21Martha therefore said unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

22And even now I know that, whatsoever thou shalt ask of God, God will give thee.

20Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.

21Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

22But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.

Commentary · verses 20-22

Martha made two statements of faith:

  1. Jesus could have prevented Lazarus from dying,

  2. God would give whatever Jesus asked.

23Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.

24Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

23Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.

24Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

Commentary · verses 23-24

Here was another example of someone misunderstanding Jesus, however, it was the opposite of what we saw with the Pharisees. This time Jesus spoke physically and the person misunderstanding Him was thinking spiritually. Notice also, Martha did not understand Jesus, but her disagreement was intended to prove Jesus right. When the Pharisees disagreed with Jesus, they intended to prove Jesus wrong.

25Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, though he die, yet shall he live; 26and whosoever liveth and believeth on me shall never die. Believest thou this?

27She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I have believed that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, even he that cometh into the world.

25Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

26And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

27She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

Commentary · verses 25-27

Again, the result was the opposite of the Pharisees. Martha proclaimed Jesus as the Son of God. The Pharisees wanted to stone Jesus for blasphemy.

28And when she had said this, she went away, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Teacher is here, and calleth thee.

29And she, when she heard it, arose quickly, and went unto him.

30(Now Jesus was not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha met him.)

31The Jews then who were with her in the house, and were consoling her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up quickly and went out, followed her, supposing that she was going unto the tomb to weep there.

32Mary therefore, when she came where Jesus was, and saw him, fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

33When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping who came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,

28And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.

29As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.

30Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.

31The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.

32Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

33When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,

Commentary · verses 28-33

Jesus groaned in His Spirit and was troubled because of the sadness of Mary and the people with her.

34and said, Where have ye laid him? They say unto him, Lord, come and see.

35Jesus wept.

34And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.

35Jesus wept.

Commentary · verses 34-35

Jesus was very compassionate. John 11:35 was the shortest verse in the Bible.

36The Jews therefore said, Behold how he loved him!

37But some of them said, Could not this man, who opened the eyes of him that was blind, have caused that this man also should not die?

38Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone lay against it.

39Jesus saith, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time the body decayeth; for he hath been dead four days.

36Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

37And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?

38Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.

39Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.

Commentary · verses 36-39

Martha informed Jesus that Lazarus' body would have been decaying by this point.

40Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou believedst, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

41So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou heardest me.

40Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

41Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.

Commentary · verses 40-41

Notice, Jesus lifted His eyes when He talked with the Father. Jesus' eyes were open.

42And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the multitude that standeth around I said it, that they may believe that thou didst send me.

42And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.

Commentary · verse 42

Jesus talked to God in front of the people and made the statement to God that God had sent Jesus. Jesus did not directly/plainly testify of Himself to the people.

43And when he had thus spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

43And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

Commentary · verse 43

Jesus made a statement at Lazarus to "come forth." Lazarus, being dead, would not have been able to make a statement for himself. In John 11:11, Jesus also stated that Lazarus was His friend.

Doctrine: In the Bible, friends were able to speak for each other. In the Bible, when people were raised from the dead the faith was expressed by a friend or parent, someone who was able to speak for the dead person.

44He that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave-clothes; and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

44And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

Commentary · verse 44

People could have believed they would be unclean if they touched Lazarus because he had been dead. As a Semikah Rabbi, Jesus stated these people would not be unclean.

45Many therefore of the Jews, who came to Mary and beheld that which he did, believed on him.

46But some of them went away to the Pharisees, and told them the things which Jesus had done.

45Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.

46But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.

Commentary · verses 45-46

Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead after four days. This caused many to believe on Jesus but some went and told the Pharisees about what Jesus did.

47The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many signs.

47Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.

Commentary · verse 47

The religious leaders confessed Jesus did many signs.

48If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.

48If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.

Commentary · verse 48

The issue was power/control. The religious leaders wanted to remain in control, which was pride.

49But a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, 50nor do ye take account that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.

51Now this he said not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation; 52and not for the nation only, but that he might also gather together into one the children of God that are scattered abroad.

53So from that day forth they took counsel that they might put him to death.

49And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,

50Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.

51And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;

52And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.

53Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.

Commentary · verses 49-53

Caiaphas was the high priest that year and he had prophesied that one man would die so the whole nation would not perish. From that day forward, the Pharisees and the chief priests conspired together to kill Jesus.

54Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews, but departed thence into the country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim; and there he tarried with the disciples.

55Now the passover of the Jews was at hand: and many went up to Jerusalem out of the country before the passover, to purify themselves.

56They sought therefore for Jesus, and spake one with another, as they stood in the temple, What think ye? That he will not come to the feast?

57Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given commandment, that, if any man knew where he was, he should show it, that they might take him.

54Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.

55And the Jews’ passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.

56Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast?

57Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him.

Commentary · verses 54-57

Again, Jesus stayed away from Jerusalem and the religious leaders because they were trying to kill Him. However, the Passover was coming and people wondered if Jesus would keep the Passover in Jerusalem. At the end of Jesus' second year of public ministry, the Pharisees were secretly trying to kill Jesus. Here, near the end of Jesus' third year of public ministry, the chief priests and Pharisees were openly trying to kill Jesus. They told the people to let them know if they saw Jesus. The situation was becoming very tense.

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