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 11:39 mean?

Explanation

John 11:39 narrates an event where Jesus Christ is about to perform one of His most astonishing miracles, the raising of Lazarus from the dead.

Martha, sister to Lazarus, expresses her concern to Jesus that by now there will be a stench because Lazarus has been dead for four days.

Her statement is a realistic concern about the natural process of decomposition.

Spiritually, this moment demonstrates a test of faith for those present and anticipates the power of Jesus over life and death.

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Historical Context

This verse is a part of the Gospel of John, which was written sometime between 90-100 A.D.

The story of Lazarus's resurrection takes place in Bethany, a village near Jerusalem.

The reference to four days is significant, as there was a common Jewish belief that the soul remained near the body for three days, hoping to return to it, but after that time, the soul would depart, and decomposition would begin.

Thus, the miracle that Jesus is about to perform is not just resuscitation but a reanimation of a decomposed body.

Theological Insights

In Christian theology, this miracle is a testament to Jesus' divine authority over life and death, foreshadowing His own resurrection.

It demonstrates that Jesus is the source of both physical and spiritual life.

The event also serves to strengthen the faith of the witnesses and illustrates a major theme in John's Gospel: Jesus is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25).

Practical Applications

The reaction of Martha reflects a human apprehension in the face of seemingly insurmountable problems.

The practical application of this verse can be the encouragement for believers to trust in Jesus even when a situation appears hopeless.

It teaches that faith should not be limited by the physical realities of life and death but should transcend to trust in God's power.

Cross-References

[John 11:25-26](/new-testament/john/11/25/what-does-john-11-25-mean): "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:"
John 5:28-29: "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation."
Romans 8:11: "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."

Language Study

In the original Koine Greek, Martha says, "κύριε, ἤδη ὄζει" translated as "Lord, by this time he stinketh." The term "ὄζει" (ozei) comes from the root "ὄζω" (ozo), which means "to emit a smell" and often implies a bad odor. This is a literal and vivid term emphasizing the reality of death's decay.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other cultural and religious contexts, death and decomposition are seen as final and irreversible, with purification rites often conducted to address the decay.

In Egyptian mythology, for instance, mummification was performed to preserve the body for the afterlife, contrasting with Jesus’ display of power over decay in the Judeo-Christian narrative.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, after four days, a human body would exhibit significant decay, making any return to life biologically impossible without divine intervention.

This event in the verse challenges natural laws from a scientific standpoint, positing a miracle that transcends natural processes.

Commentaries

Commentators often draw on this verse to discuss the human tendency to doubt and focus on the physical and sensory aspects of reality.

Some scholars suggest Martha's concern is practical and understandable, while contrasting this with Jesus' supernatural response.

Moreover, biblical scholars frequently remark on the importance of this miracle as pivotal for building the faith of the disciples and other witnesses, also prompting the subsequent plotting of Jesus’ death by religious authorities who felt threatened by His growing influence.

John 11

John 11

What does John 11:39 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 11:39 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?