*John 11:37-57
Witnessed by doubters, Jesus raises Lazarus from the tomb four days after his death.
- Criticism and Approach to the Tomb:
- Some onlookers criticize Jesus, wondering why he didn’t prevent Lazarus’s death since he had healed the blind.
- Deeply moved again, Jesus approaches Lazarus’s tomb, which is sealed with a stone.
- Command to Remove the Stone:
- Jesus instructs that the stone be removed, but Martha expresses concern due to the smell after four days.
- Jesus reminds her that if she believes, she will see God’s glory.
- Prayer and Miracle:
- Jesus offers a prayer of thanks to God, acknowledging that his actions are for the benefit of those witnessing, so they may believe he was sent by God.
- He calls out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” and Lazarus emerges, still wrapped in grave clothes.
- Jesus instructs those around to remove the burial cloths and let Lazarus go.
- Reactions to the Miracle:
- Many who witnessed the miracle believe in Jesus.
- Others go to the Pharisees and report the event, leading to a meeting of the chief priests and Pharisees.
- Council’s Decision:
- The Sanhedrin, troubled by the rising influence of Jesus, fears that his following may provoke Roman intervention and jeopardize their nation and position.
- Caiaphas, the high priest, argues that it’s better for one man to die than for the whole nation to perish, unknowingly prophesying Jesus’s sacrificial death.
- From that day, they actively plot to kill Jesus.
- Jesus Retreats:
- Aware of the conspiracy, Jesus retreats to a region near the wilderness, staying in the village of Ephraim with his disciples.
- Anticipation of Passover:
- As the Jewish Passover approaches, people seek Jesus in Jerusalem, speculating whether he will attend despite the rising threat.
- The chief priests and Pharisees issue orders for anyone who knows Jesus’s whereabouts to report it, ensuring his arrest.
11:37 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? 11:38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
11:39 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.
11:40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? 11:41 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.
11:42 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.
11:43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
11:44 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.
11:45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
11:46 But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.
11:47 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.
11:48 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.
11:49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, 11:50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
11:51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; 11:52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
11:53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.
11:54 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.
11:55 And the Jews’ passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.
11:56 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? 11:57 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.