John 11

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

Jesus wept.

Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

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?

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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?

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.

What does John 11:25 mean?

Explanation

John 11:25 is a verse where Jesus speaks of His divine authority over life and death, thereby offering hope of eternal life to believers. It comes from an event where Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead.

In this verse, Jesus presents Himself not only as a miracle worker but also as the source of resurrection and eternal life.

The implication is that belief in Jesus transcends physical death, granting the believer spiritual life that continues after physical death.

This promise of resurrection is central to Christian faith and points to Jesus as the embodiment of life everlasting.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

This verse is a part of the narrative about the death and raising of Lazarus found in John 11:1-44.

The event takes place in Bethany, a village near Jerusalem, shortly before Jesus' own crucifixion.

During this period, the Jewish people had various beliefs about the afterlife and resurrection, with the Pharisees holding to a belief in the resurrection of the dead, which was not universally accepted by all Jewish sects (like the Sadducees).

Jesus' declaration in this context was both comforting to those mourning Lazarus and controversial to the religious authorities.

Theological Insights

John 11:25 contains several theological themes. For Christian believers, it affirms the deity of Jesus, His victory over death, and the hope of eternal life. The resurrection is not just an event but is embodied in the person of Jesus Christ.

Additionally, it touches on the concept of "already/not yet," where eternal life is something believers possess now through faith, though its fullness is yet to be realized.

Different Christian denominations agree on the centrality of resurrection, though they may differ on the nuances of the afterlife and the nature of belief required for eternal life.

Practical Applications

The verse offers comfort to those who are grieving, as it provides a promise of a future beyond death.

In practical terms, it encourages individuals to live with hope, to prioritize spiritual life over the temporary, and it calls for a personal faith in Jesus.

Believers are inspired to trust in Jesus' power over death and to therefore live without the fear of death, engaging with life and others in a way that reflects the eternal life they have been promised.

Cross-References

John 14:6 - Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
1 Corinthians 15:21-22 - For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Romans 6:4 - Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
John 5:24 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the key terms include:

"ἀνάστασις" (anastasis): Typically translated as "resurrection," meaning "raising up" or "standing up again."
"ζωή" (zōē): Meaning "life," with a connotation of both physical and spiritual life, often eternal or divine life.
"πιστεύων" (pisteuōn): A present participle form of "to believe," indicating ongoing, active belief.

The use of the present tense in "ι am" (Ἐγώ εἰμι - egō eimi) emphasizes the present, continuous aspect of Jesus' identity and authority.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The concept of a god dying and being resurrected can be found in various ancient myths, such as the stories of Osiris in Egyptian mythology and Adonis in Greek mythology.

However, in Christianity, Jesus' resurrection is unique as it is a historical event with a specific purpose: to conquer death for all who believe in Him, a fulfillment which is not present in these other myths where resurrection usually cycles back to death or is part of a natural seasonal pattern.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the resurrection is a supernatural claim outside the scope of natural laws. Biological death is understood as irreversible by current scientific knowledge.

However, the idea of Jesus as the resurrection and life speaks more to metaphysical beliefs and spiritual truths that are outside the purview of scientific inquiry, focusing on the meaning and purpose of existence and what might lie beyond the physical realm.

Commentaries

Classical and modern biblical scholars and theologians offer various insights into John 11:25:

Matthew Henry's Commentary emphasizes the comfort this verse provides to Christians, particularly the promise of Christ as the source of eternal life.
The Expositor's Bible Commentary notes the verse showcases Jesus' authority over life and death and serves as a cornerstone for Christian hope in the resurrection.
William Barclay highlights the radical nature of Jesus' claim, showing that life was not something Jesus gave; He is life itself, meaning that where Jesus is, death cannot triumph.

These commentaries align on the centrality of the verse to Christian theology and its profound implications for hope and belief in Jesus Christ.

John 11

John 11

What does John 11:25 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does John 11:25 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?