*John 11:1-36
Jesus delays his journey to Bethany upon learning of Lazarus’s death, but goes to comfort Martha and Mary, proclaiming himself as the resurrection and the life.
- Setting and Context:
- Jesus receives news that his friend Lazarus is seriously ill.
- Lazarus, along with his sisters Mary and Martha, lives in Bethany, a village near Jerusalem.
- Jesus Delays:
- Despite his love for the family, Jesus deliberately delays his journey for two days.
- He states that the illness will not lead to death but is for God’s glory and to reveal the Son of God.
- Journey to Bethany:
- After the delay, Jesus decides to return to Judea despite the disciples’ concern for his safety.
- He announces that Lazarus has “fallen asleep,” but intends to wake him up.
- When the disciples misunderstand, Jesus clarifies that Lazarus has died, and he is glad for their sake that they were not there, to strengthen their faith.
- Arrival in Bethany:
- Upon arriving, Jesus learns that Lazarus has already been in the tomb for four days.
- Many people are gathered to comfort Mary and Martha.
- Conversation with Martha:
- Martha meets Jesus outside the village and expresses her grief, saying that if Jesus had been there, her brother wouldn’t have died.
- Jesus assures her that Lazarus will rise again.
- Martha affirms her belief in the resurrection at the last day.
- Jesus declares himself to be the resurrection and the life and that those who believe in him will live, even after death.
- Martha acknowledges her faith in Jesus as the Messiah.
- Conversation with Mary:
- Martha informs Mary that Jesus is calling for her.
- Mary goes to meet Jesus, accompanied by others who believe she is going to the tomb to mourn.
- She falls at Jesus’s feet and echoes Martha’s words: “If you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
- Jesus’s Reaction:
- Jesus is deeply moved and troubled by the scene, seeing Mary and the others weeping.
- He asks to be taken to Lazarus’s tomb and, in his sorrow, begins to weep.
- Onlookers notice Jesus’s deep affection for Lazarus, while some express doubts as to why he didn’t prevent his death.
11:1 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
11:2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) 11:3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
11:4 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.
11:5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
11:6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.
11:7 Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.
11:8 His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? 11:9 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.
11:10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.
11:11 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.
11:12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
11:13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
11:14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
11:15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
11:16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
11:17 Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.
11:18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: 11:19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
11:20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
11:21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
11:22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
11:23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
11:24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? 11:27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
11:28 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.
11:29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.
11:30 Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.
11:31 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.
11:32 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.
11:33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled.
11:34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
11:35 Jesus wept.
11:36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!