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 11:26 mean?

Explanation

John 11:26 poses a profound message delivered by Jesus during a moment of deep emotion surrounding the death of Lazarus.

In this verse, Jesus challenges his listeners, particularly Martha, Lazarus's sister, to engage with the concept of eternal life through belief in him.

The literal meaning is straightforward: those who live (are alive at the moment) and hold a belief in Jesus will never experience death.

The deeper implication is metaphysical, suggesting that true believers will obtain eternal life, transcending the physical death of the body.

This 'never dying' refers to a spiritual continuity that defies the finality of physical death.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

The verse is part of the narrative where Jesus arrives in Bethany after Lazarus has died.

In John 11:1-44, Jesus speaks to Martha, who is mourning her brother's death.

During this era, Jewish beliefs about the resurrection were varied, but many Jews believed in a resurrection at the end of days.

Jesus introduces a new dimension to this belief, placing himself at the center of the resurrection and eternal life, ideas that were revolutionary and controversial in a first-century Jewish context.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse can be interpreted in various ways. According to Christian doctrine, it reaffirms the belief in Jesus as the resurrection and the life, emphasizing the salvation and eternal life that he offers.

Some Christians view this as an affirmation of the soul's immortality through faith in Christ.

However, there is debate regarding the nature of this eternal life.

Some scholars argue that the eternal life promised here begins at the moment of belief, not just after physical death. Others state that it refers to the bodily resurrection at the end of times, aligning with Jewish apocalyptic traditions.

Practical Applications

In practical, everyday life, this verse can serve as a source of comfort and hope to believers who face mortality, whether their own or that of loved ones. It reassures believers of a continuity beyond physical existence.

Moreover, it inspires a way of living that values spiritual convictions and virtues that are in alignment with Jesus' teachings, with an understanding that the life lived on earth is only a prelude to a more profound, everlasting life.

Cross-References

John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
Romans 6:8: "Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:"
1 Corinthians 15:54-55: "So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal [shall] have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory."

Language Study

The Greek text uses the phrase "πᾶς ὁ ζῶν καὶ πιστεύων" (pas ho zōn kai pisteuōn) where "πᾶς" (pas) means "everyone/whosoever," "ζῶν" (zōn) means "lives/living," and "πιστεύων" (pisteuōn) means "believing." The present participles suggest an ongoing state of living and believing. "οὐ μὴ ἀποθάνῃ" (ou mē apothanēi) uses a double negative "οὐ μὴ" for emphasis and translates to "shall not die," with "ἀποθάνῃ" (apothanēi) the future form of "to die."

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

This concept of life after death is found in various forms in many other religious and cultural traditions.

For example, in ancient Egyptian religion, belief in the afterlife was central, with detailed rituals and beliefs about the soul's journey after death.

In many strains of Hinduism and Buddhism, the idea of rebirth or reincarnation is fundamental.

In these traditions, the way one lives their current life directly impacts the nature of their rebirth.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific viewpoint, physical death is the end of life and consciousness as defined by biological processes. The conversation about the afterlife, therefore, is generally seen as outside the scope of empirical science.

However, there have been studies on near-death experiences and consciousness that explore the boundaries of life and death, though these do not confirm or refute religious claims about the afterlife.

Commentaries

Scholars and theologians offer various interpretations of this verse.

D.A.

Carson suggests that the present tense "lives and believes" implies a currently possessed eternal life.

Leon Morris contends that the believer's life is so caught up in Christ that death will not affect it.

Meanwhile, Gail R.

O'Day emphasizes the Gospel of John's focus on the present reality of eternal life, beginning the moment one believes in Jesus.

These commentaries highlight the multifaceted understanding of life, death, and eternity within Christian thought.

John 11

John 11

What does John 11:26 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 11:26 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?