John 11, a pivotal chapter in the Gospel of John, narrates the profound story of Lazarus’s death and resurrection. This scripture is not merely a tale of a miraculous event; it’s a powerful declaration of Jesus’s divine nature, his authority over death, and the promise of eternal life for those who believe in him. Let’s delve into this significant passage, exploring its narrative, theological depth, and enduring relevance.
The chapter opens by introducing Lazarus, a resident of Bethany and brother to Mary and Martha. Verse 1 sets the scene: “Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.” This simple statement begins a narrative that will unfold to reveal one of Jesus’s most astonishing miracles. The sisters, knowing Jesus’s love for Lazarus, send word to him about Lazarus’s illness, stating in verse 3, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” This act of reaching out to Jesus underscores their faith and reliance on him.
Jesus’s response to the news is initially perplexing. Instead of immediately rushing to Bethany, he delays his arrival. In verse 4, Jesus declares, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” This statement foreshadows the miraculous outcome and reveals the deeper purpose behind Lazarus’s illness – to manifest God’s glory through Jesus. John 11:5 highlights Jesus’s affection for the family: “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.” This personal connection makes his subsequent actions even more impactful and emotionally resonant. Despite his love, Jesus stays for two more days, a delay that seems contradictory to human understanding but is crucial for God’s plan.
When Jesus finally decides to go to Judea, his disciples express concern, reminding him of the recent threats against his life there. Their apprehension is evident in verse 8: “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?” Jesus’s response in verses 9-10 about walking in the daylight and stumbling in the night is a metaphorical lesson about living in God’s light and purpose. He then clarifies his intention regarding Lazarus, stating in verse 11, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” The disciples’ misunderstanding of “sleep” as natural sleep highlights the spiritual blindness that Jesus often encountered, as explained in verse 13: “Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.”
Jesus then plainly tells them in verse 14, “Lazarus is dead.” He further adds in verse 15, “and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” This verse reveals a crucial aspect of the miracle: it is intended to strengthen the disciples’ faith. Thomas’s dramatic, albeit somewhat pessimistic, response in verse 16, “Let us also go, that we may die with him,” shows his devotion and loyalty, even amidst fear and uncertainty.
Upon arriving in Bethany, Jesus finds that Lazarus has been in the tomb for four days, emphasizing the finality of death in the eyes of those present. Martha goes to meet Jesus, while Mary remains at home. Martha’s poignant statement in verse 21, “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died,” expresses both her grief and her faith in Jesus’s healing power. Yet, she also acknowledges a belief beyond immediate healing, stating in verse 22, “But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”
Jesus’s declaration in verse 23, “Your brother will rise again,” leads to Martha’s affirmation of the resurrection at the last day, a common Jewish belief. However, Jesus transcends this understanding with his profound statement in verses 25-26: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” This is a central theological point of John 11 and indeed the entire Gospel of John. Jesus isn’t just talking about a future resurrection; he is the resurrection and the life, offering eternal life to believers here and now. Martha’s powerful confession of faith in verse 27, “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world,” is a direct response to Jesus’s self-revelation and a testament to her growing understanding of his identity.
Mary’s encounter with Jesus is equally moving. Her words in verse 32 mirror Martha’s, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Upon seeing Mary weeping, and the accompanying mourners also weeping, verse 33 tells us, “Jesus was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.” This leads to the shortest verse in the Bible, yet one of the most emotionally charged: “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). This verse reveals Jesus’s humanity, his empathy, and his genuine sorrow over death and its impact on human lives.
Deeply moved, Jesus proceeds to the tomb. Despite Martha’s practical concern about the odor after four days, Jesus insists on removing the stone. He then prays to the Father, giving thanks and emphasizing his unity with God, stating in verses 41-42, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” This public prayer highlights the divine source of his power and the purpose of the miracle – to bring people to faith.
Then, in a powerful and authoritative command, Jesus cries out in verse 43, “Lazarus, come out!” The miraculous event unfolds immediately in verse 44: “The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.” Lazarus is resurrected, a tangible demonstration of Jesus’s power over death. Jesus instructs them to unbind Lazarus, fully restoring him to life.
The immediate aftermath is divided. Many who witnessed the miracle believed in Jesus, as stated in verse 45: “Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him.” However, others reported the event to the Pharisees, leading to a plot to kill Jesus. The Sanhedrin, fearing the growing influence of Jesus and its potential political ramifications, convened to discuss how to deal with him. Caiaphas’s cynical statement in verses 49-50, advocating for the death of one man to save the nation, is tragically ironic, unknowingly prophesying Jesus’s sacrificial death for the salvation of humanity. From this point onward, the opposition against Jesus intensifies, setting the stage for the events leading to the crucifixion.
In conclusion, Scripture John 11 is far more than a miracle story. It is a profound theological narrative that reveals Jesus as the resurrection and the life, demonstrating his power over death and offering eternal life to all who believe. The story of Lazarus serves as a powerful sign, strengthening faith and pointing towards the ultimate victory over death through Jesus Christ. This chapter remains a cornerstone of Christian belief, offering hope and assurance to believers throughout the ages.
