From Miracles to Malice: The Rising Tension (John 11:37-57)
Sometimes, the most powerful moments in life don’t bring people together—they reveal where we truly stand. That’s exactly what happens in John 11:37–57, right after Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead.
This part of the Bible shows us how people respond differently to the same miracle. Some are amazed and believe in Jesus. Others get scared and start planning how to get rid of Him. Let’s take a closer look at what happens.
The Crowd’s Mixed Reactions (John 11:37–40)
When Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, many people are in awe. But not everyone is impressed. Some in the crowd ask, “Couldn’t He who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”
In other words, if Jesus is so powerful, why did He let Lazarus die in the first place?
This kind of reaction is familiar even today. When we see something amazing or difficult to explain, we often respond with doubt or criticism instead of wonder and trust. Jesus doesn’t get defensive. Instead, He gently reminds them: “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
A Powerful Prayer and a Miracle (John 11:41–44)
Before calling Lazarus out of the tomb, Jesus prays out loud. He does this so the people around Him will understand that He is sent by God. Then, with a loud voice, He says, “Lazarus, come out!”—and Lazarus walks out, alive.
This isn’t just a miracle—it’s a sign. Jesus is showing that He has power even over death. And He does it in a way that points to God, not to Himself.
A Divided Crowd (John 11:45–46)
After witnessing this miracle, many people believe in Jesus. But not everyone. Some go straight to the Pharisees, the religious leaders of the time, to report what happened.
This shows us something important: seeing a miracle doesn’t always lead to faith. Sometimes people are so focused on what they want to believe, they miss the truth right in front of them.
A Dangerous Plot (John 11:47–53)
The religious leaders are worried. They’re afraid that if more people follow Jesus, the Romans will come and take away their power and their temple. So they hold a meeting and decide Jesus has to die.
Caiaphas, the high priest, says something that sounds like a political move: “It’s better for one man to die than for the whole nation to be destroyed.” But without realizing it, he speaks a deeper truth. Jesus really will die for the people—not to protect their position, but to save their souls.
Jesus Steps Back—for Now (John 11:54–57)
After this, Jesus no longer walks openly in public. He leaves the area and spends time in a quiet town called Ephraim with His disciples.
Meanwhile, Passover is coming. People wonder if Jesus will show up in Jerusalem. The religious leaders give clear instructions: if anyone sees Him, they should report it. They’re ready to arrest Him.
The tension is building. The cross is getting closer.
What Can We Learn from This?
This passage gives us several important things to think about:
- People respond to Jesus in different ways. Some believe, some doubt, and some even become hostile. The same is true today.
- Fear can lead us to make harmful choices. The leaders were more afraid of losing control than they were interested in truth.
- God is always in control. Even as people plot against Jesus, God’s plan to save the world is moving forward.
Bringing It Home
We all face a choice when it comes to Jesus. Will we believe, even when we don’t understand everything? Will we trust Him, even when it challenges our comfort or plans?
John 11:37–57 reminds us that Jesus’ miracles point to something much bigger—God’s desire to bring life, not just for Lazarus, but for all of us. The question is: how will we respond?
John 11:37-57 (WEB)
11:37 Some of them said, “Couldn’t this man, who opened the eyes of him who was blind, have also kept this man from dying?”38 Jesus therefore, again groaning in himself, came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.”Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”40 Jesus said to her, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed, you would see God’s glory?”41 So they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you listened to me. 42 I know that you always listen to me, but because of the multitude standing around I said this, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”44 He who was dead came out, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth.Jesus said to them, “Free him, and let him go.”45 Therefore many of the Jews who came to Mary and saw what Jesus did believed in him. 46 But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things which Jesus had done. 47 The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, “What are we doing? For this man does many signs. 48 If we leave him alone like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”49 But a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, 50 nor do you consider that it is advantageous for us that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish.” 51 Now he didn’t say this of himself, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and not for the nation only, but that he might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. 53 So from that day forward they took counsel that they might put him to death. 54 Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews, but departed from there into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim. He stayed there with his disciples.55 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand. Many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves. 56 Then they sought for Jesus and spoke with one another as they stood in the temple, “What do you think—that he isn’t coming to the feast at all?” 57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had commanded that if anyone knew where he was, he should report it, that they might seize him.