1 Now a certain [man] was sick, [named] Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
2 (It was [that] Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
4 When 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.
5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.
7 Then after that saith he to [his] disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.
8 [His] disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?
9 Jesus 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.
10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.
11 These 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.
12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
17 Then when Jesus came, he found that he had [lain] in the grave four days already.
18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:
19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat [still] in the house.
21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give [it] thee.
23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
28 And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.
29 As soon as she heard [that], she arose quickly, and came unto him.
30 Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.
31 The 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.
32 Then 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.
33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,
34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
35 Jesus wept.
36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!
37 And 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?
38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
39 Jesus 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.
40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
41 Then 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.
42 And 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.
43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
44 And 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.
45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
46 But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.
47 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.
48 If we let him thus alone, all [men] will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.
49 And one of them, [named] Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,
50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;
52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.
54 Jesus 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.
55 And the Jews’ passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.
56 Then 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?
57 Now 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.
Summary of John Chapter 11
John Chapter 11 narrates the story of the raising of Lazarus, a significant miracle performed by Jesus that showcases His power over death and foreshadows His own resurrection. The chapter is divided into several key sections that highlight the events leading up to Lazarus’s resurrection, the reactions of those involved, and the implications of this miracle.
Key Events
- The Illness of Lazarus (Verses 1-3)
Lazarus, a resident of Bethany and brother to Mary and Martha, falls ill. His sisters send word to Jesus, hoping He will come and heal him.
- Jesus’ Response (Verses 4-6)
Upon hearing of Lazarus’s illness, Jesus states that the sickness will not end in death but is for God’s glory. He chooses to stay two more days in the place where He is, indicating a divine purpose behind the delay.
- Jesus’ Decision to Go to Judea (Verses 7-16)
After two days, Jesus tells His disciples that He will return to Judea. The disciples express concern for His safety, but Jesus emphasizes the need to awaken Lazarus, referring to death as sleep.
- Jesus Comforts Martha (Verses 17-27)
Upon arriving in Bethany, Jesus finds that Lazarus has been in the tomb for four days. Martha, one of Lazarus’s sisters, expresses her belief that if Jesus had been there, her brother would not have died. Jesus assures her that Lazarus will rise again and reveals His identity as the resurrection and the life.
- Jesus Weeps (Verses 28-37)
Mary, the other sister, comes to Jesus, and He is deeply moved by her grief and that of the mourners. This moment highlights Jesus’ compassion and humanity as He weeps.
- The Miracle of Raising Lazarus (Verses 38-44)
Jesus approaches the tomb and commands that the stone be rolled away. Despite initial hesitations from Martha, He prays to the Father and calls Lazarus out of the tomb. Lazarus emerges, still wrapped in burial cloths, demonstrating Jesus’ authority over death.
- The Aftermath and Reactions (Verses 45-57)
Many who witnessed the miracle believed in Jesus, while others reported the event to the Pharisees, leading to a council where the Sanhedrin plots to kill Jesus. This sets the stage for the eventual events leading to His crucifixion.
Theological Themes
- Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life
This chapter emphasizes the belief in Jesus as the source of eternal life, reinforcing the Christian doctrine of resurrection.
- The Nature of Faith
Martha’s declaration of faith in Jesus serves as a pivotal moment, illustrating the relationship between faith and understanding of Jesus’ divine authority.
- Compassion and Humanity of Jesus
Jesus’ emotional response to the death of Lazarus reflects His compassion and empathy, portraying Him as both divine and human.
- Foreshadowing of Jesus’ Own Death and Resurrection
The raising of Lazarus serves as a precursor to Jesus’ own resurrection, highlighting the power of God over death and the promise of eternal life for believers.
Conclusion
John Chapter 11 is a profound narrative that encapsulates key aspects of Jesus’ ministry, His identity, and the nature of faith. The miracle of raising Lazarus not only serves to demonstrate Jesus’ divine authority but also invites readers to reflect on their own beliefs about life, death, and resurrection.
