1.
Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
was sick . Pointing to great weakness and exhaustion, the result of active disease, rather than the disease itself. The verb is used thirty-six times, gene- rally translated in the Gospels "sick", in Paul's Epistles "weak", but in John 5:3 , John 5:7 "impotent".
Lazarus . Same as Eleazar = God helpeth. First occurance. Exodus 6:23 .
of = from. Greek. apo. App-104 .
the town = of (Greek. ek, App-104 .) the town, or unwalled village. See Luke 10:38 , which refers to Bethany.
Mary. See App-100 .3. Martha Aramaic. See App-94 .
2.
(It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
It was , &c. This is an explanatory statement, anticipating what is related in John 12:3 .
the Lord. Greek. Kurios. App-98 .
3.
Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
sent . Greek apostello. App-174 ., If the place of John 10:40 was Bethabara beyond Jordan, and is to be identified with Beth-nimrah (Numbers 32:36 ) in Peraea, it would be about 25 miles from Jerusalem.
unto. Greek. pros. App-104 .
Lord . App-98 .
behold . Greek. ide. App-133 .
lovest . App-135 .
is sick : literally is weakening = is sinking.
4.
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.
Jesus . App-98 .
sickness . Greek. asthenia = weakness, not nosos, active disease. See note on Matthew 4:23 .
not . Greek. ou, App-105 .
for = for the purpose of. Greek huper. App-104 .
the glory , &c. The glory of God and of His Son are one and the same.
glory . See the book comments for John.
God. App-98 .
that = in order that. Greek. hina.
the Son of God . App-98 .
thereby = through (Greek. dia. App-104 .John 11:1; John 11:1 ) it.
5.
Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
loved . App-135 . Not the same word as in verses: John 11:3 , John 11:36 .
6.
When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.
He abode . . . still . Greek. tote men emeinen. Then indeed He remained. Both Authorized Version and Revised Version omit these important adverbs.
in. Greek. en. App-104 .
7.
Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.
Then Afterward. Greek. epeita.
after , Greek. meta. App-104 .
into. Greek. eis. App-104 .
8.
His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?
9.
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.
twelve hours ; reckoning from sunrise to sunset, 6am to 6pm.
If. App-118 .
any man. App-123 .
seeth. App-133 . the light, &c., i.e. the sun naturally, the Sun of righteousness metaphorically,
light . Greek. phos. App-130 .
world, Greek. kosmos. App-129 .
10.
But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.
there is no light in him = the light is not (Greek. ou. App-105 )
in him . The clauses in verses: John 11:9 , John 11:10 are strictly antithetical.
Illustration Walking by day in the light of the sun, a man stumbles not.
(exoteric). Walking by night without that light, he stumbles.
Application He that hath the Son is. walking in the light.
(esoteric) He that hath not the Son walks in darkness. Compare John 8:12 ; John 12:36 , John 12:36 , John 12:46 .
11.
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.
friend. Greek. philos, noun of phileo, John 11:3 .
sleepeth = has fallen asleep. Greek. koimaomai. App-171 .
go . Greek. poreuomai, to go with a set purpose. Compare John 14:2 , John 14:3 , and Matthew 2:8 , Matthew 2:9 . Not the same word as John 11:8 .
awake him out of sleep . Greek. exupnizo . Occurs only here.
12.
Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
Then = Therefore. if. App-118 .
shall do well = shall be saved. Greek. sozo', as in John 10:9 .
13.
Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
of = concerning. Greek. peri. App-104 .
14.
Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
Then said Jesus ; literal. Then therefore Jesus said. plainly. See John 10:24 .
is dead = died. Aorist tense. This shows that death had taken place some time before, probably soon after the message was sent by the sisters. Compare verses: John 11:17 , John 11:39 .
15.
And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
16.
Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
Thomas . App-94 and App-141 .
Didymus = twin, a Greek word with the same meaning as Thomas. Occurs here, John 20:24 , and John 21:2 .
fellow disciples. Greek. summathetes. Occurs only here.
with (Greek. meta. App-104 . 1) Him, i.e. the Lord, not with Lazarus. Thomas realized that to return to the neighbourhood of Jerusalem meant certain death.
17.
Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.
grave = tomb. Greek mnemeion. First, a memorial or monument, then a sepulchre. Compare John 5:28 .
18.
Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:
about , &c. = as it were from (Greek. apo. App-104 .)
fifteen furlongs , i.e. 11 miles.
19.
And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
of = out of, from among. Greek ek. App-104 .
came = had come.
to. Greek. pros, as in John 11:3
comfort. Greek. paramutheomai; to speak tenderly, consolingly. Occurs only here; John 11:31 ; 1 Thessalonians 2:11 and John 5:14 .
concerning . Greek. peri, as in John 11:13 .
20.
Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
went and met = met. The word implies desire to avoid notice,
sat still = was sitting (Greek. kathezomai). There is no word for "still", and the Authorized Version and Revised Version insertion of it implies, without warrant, that Mary heard as well as Martha, but nevertheless remained where she was. Compare the other five occurrences of the word, John 4:6 ; John 20:12 .Matthew 26:55 .Luke 2:46; Luke 2:46 Acts 6:15 .
21.
Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
22.
But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
know . Greek. oida. App-132 .
ask . Greek aiteo. App-134 . Used of our prayers (Matthew 7:7 , &c.), never of the Lord's address to the Father. Neither Martha, the disciples or the Jews understood the claim of John 10:30 .
23.
Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
rise again . Greek. anistemi. See App-178 .
24.
Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
resurrection. App-178 .
at = in. Greek. en. App-104 .
last day. See John 6:39 , John 6:40 , John 6:44 , John 6:54 ; John 12:48 ; and compare Daniel 12:2 , Daniel 12:13 .
25.
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
I am (emphatic). See note on Exodus 3:14 , and Compare John 8:58 .
life. Greek zoe. App-170 .
believeth. See App-150 . These words refer to 1 Thessalonians 4:16 .
in . Greek. eis. App-104 .
yet shall he live = shall live. Figure of speech Aposiopesis. App-6 . The word "yet "is not in the Greek, and is unwarrantably introduced by both Authorized Version and Revised Version.
26.
And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
liveth = is alive, referring to 1 Thessalonians 4:17 .
never = by no means (Greek. ou me. App-105 ) unto the age (Greek. eis ton aiona. App-151 ).
Believest . See App-150 .
27.
She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
the Christ = the Messiah ( App-98 ). the Son of God ( App-98 ). Compare Peter's confession in Matthew 16:16 .
28.
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.
secretly, saying = saying secretly.
The Master. Greek. ho didaskalos. App-98 . John 11:8 .
29.
As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.
30.
Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.
31.
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.
saw . Greek. eidon. App-133 .
saying . T Tr. A WH R read, "supposing".
unto. Greek. eis. App-104 .
weep (Greek. klaio) = . to wail. Not the same word as in John 11:35 .
32.
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.
fell down . Others who fell down before Him or at His feet were the wise men (Matthew 2:11 ), Jairus (Mark 5:22 ), the woman (Mark 5:33 ), the Syrophenician (Mark 7:25 ), Peter (Luke 5:8 ), the leper (Luke 5:12 ), the Gadarene (Luke 8:28 ), and the Samaritan (Luke 17:16 ). This makes nine in all. See App-10 .
at. Greek. eis. App-104 .
33.
When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,
groaned . Greek. embrimaomai, to snort as a horse does, from fear or anger; hence, to feel strong emotion, be indignant, &c. Only occurs here, John 11:38 . Matthew 9:30 , Mark 1:43 ; Mark 14:5 .
spirit . App-101 .
was troubled = troubled Himself. Compare Genesis 6:6 . Judges 10:16 .
34.
And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
35.
Jesus wept.
wept = shed tears. Greek dakruo. Occurs only here. The noun dakru or dakruon occurs eleven times, and is always translated by plural "tears".
36.
Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!
37.
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?
And = But.
this man (Greek. houtos) = this (One). Compare Matthew 8:27 .
blind = blind (man). See John 9:1-7 .
not . Greek. me. App-105 .
38.
Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
to = unto. Greek eis, as John 11:31 .
cave . Natural or artificial. Compare Isaiah 22:16 .
upon = against. Greek. epi. App-104 .
39.
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.
four days. The Rabbis taught that the spirit wandered about for three days, seeking re-admission to the body, but abandoned it on the fourth day, as corruption began then.
40.
Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
see . App-133 .
the glory of God , i.e. the manifestation of the same glory by which Christ was raised. Compare Romans 6:4 .
41.
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.
Father . See John 1:14 and and App-98 . Fifteen times the Lord used this term in prayer (omitting parallel passages in brackets): Matthew 11:25 , Matthew 11:26 (Luke 10:21 ); Joh 26:39 , Joh 26:42 (Mark 14:36 . Luke 22:42 ). Joh 23:34 , Joh 23:46 . John 11:41 ; John 12:27 , John 12:28 ; John 17:1 , John 17:5 , John 17:11 , John 17:21 , John 17:24 , John 17:25 (15 = 3x5. App-6 ). Next to John 17 , this is the longest prayer recorded of our Lord.
hast heard = heardest (Aorist tense). This suggests that the prayer was heard and answered before, perhaps in Peraea. See John 11:4 .
42.
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.
because of . Greek. dia, as in John 11:15 .
43.
And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
come forth ; literally hither, out.
44.
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.
he that was dead . Greek. ho tethnekos, the dead man. Compare Luke 7:12 .
graveclothes . Greek. keiriai. Only used here in N.T. In the Septuagint it is used in Proverbs 7:16 , as the rendering of the Hebrew marebaddim. Originally it meant a bed-girth, and so any kind of wrapping. Here, = swathings.
napkin . Greek soudarion. A Latin word, sudarium, or sweat-cloth. Used only here, John 20:7 . Luke 19:20 , and Acts 19:12 .
45.
Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
seen (Greek. theaomai. App-133 .) = regarded with wonder.
the things which. Some read "the thing which", referring to this special miracle, or rather these two miracles; for how could Lazarus, when restored to life, come forth, bound, as he was, hand and foot, and his eyes covered, save by a further exercise of Divine power? Thus there was a great increase of disciples, which alarmed the rulers.
46.
But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.
But some . These were probably temple spies,
went , &a. = went off.
Pharisees . See App-120 .
told = "informed".
what things = the thing which, as in John 11:45 . So LT Tr. WH.
47.
Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.
council . Greek sunedrion. The Sanhedrin was the supreme national court. See Matthew 5:22 . It consisted of seventy-one members, originating, according to the Rabbis, with the seventy elders, with Moses at their head (Numbers 11:24 ). Its sittings were held in the "stone chamber" in the temple precincts.
What do we? = What are we about? i.e. something must be done. this man. See John 11:37 , but "man" ( App-123 .) is ex-pressed here.
miracles = signs (Greek. semeion). A characteristic word in John's Gospel. See p. 1511 and App-176 .
48.
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.
our of us . Greek. hemon. Both the word and its position are emphatic. They claimed for themselves what belonged to God. Compare Matthew 23:38 ,
your house . So the feasts of the Lord (Leviticus 23:2 ), are called in this gospel, feasts of the Jews (John 11:55 ; John 5:1 ; John 6:4 ; John 7:2 ).
place Greek. topos). No doubt the temple was meant, the centre and source of all their influence and power. The word is often so used. See John 4:20 . Acts 6:13 , Acts 6:14 ; Acts 21:28 , Acts 21:29 .
nation . Greek. ethnos. " Our" belongs to nation as well as to place. They claimed the nation which they ruled as their own (see Luke 20:14 ).
49.
And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,
that, &c. Caiaphas had been appointed six months before.
Ye know nothing at all = ye know nothing (Greek. ouk ouden, a double negative), i.e. you do not grasp the position; you do not see how critical it is.
50.
Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
Nor . Greek. oude.
it is expedient = it is to our interest.
us. All the texts read "you".
people . Greek. loos. The word that expresses their relationship to God (Deuteronomy 14:2 .Matthew 2:6; Matthew 2:6 ), as "nation" is a more general term (Luke 7:8 ; Luke 23:2 ).
51.
And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;
prophesied . The Jews regarded any ex cathedra utterance of the High Priest as inspired. Here Caiaphas was used by God, as Salaam was (Numbers 22:38 ). See Acts 2:23 ; Acts 4:27 , Acts 4:28 .
should die = was about to die.
52.
And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
gather together. Compare John 10:16 with Jeremiah 23:3 ; Jeremiah 31:10 .
children . Greek teknon. App-108 .
were scattered abroad = had been scattered. See Leviticus 26:33 .Deuteronomy 28:64 .Jeremiah 9:16 . Ezekiel 12:15 ; Ezekiel 22:15 , &c.
53.
Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.
from . Greek. apo. App-104 .
that day, i.e. the day on which the council came to their awful decision.
for to , &c. -in order that (Greek. hina) they might kill Him, i.e. on some judicial pretence. The raising of Lazarus, followed, as it was. by so many becoming believers, brought the malignity of the Pharisees to a climax. It was the last of the three miracles that so exasperated them, the others being those on the impotent man, and on the man born blind. See the result in each case (John 5:16 . 2 John 1:9; 2 John 1:9 :34 .)
54.
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.
walked = was walking.
openly . Same as "plainly "in John 11:14 .
among . Greek. en. App-104 .
Ephraim . If it is to be identified with the modern Ophrah, it is about 16 miles north-east of Jerusalem. Compare 2 Chronicles 13:19 .
continued (Greek. diatribo) = abode; so translated in Acts 12:19 ; Acts 14:3 , Acts 14:28 ; Acts 16:1 Acts 16:2 ; Acts 20:6 . in John 3:22 ; Acts 25:6 , "tarried".
55.
And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.
Jews' passover. Commencing on the 14th Nisan. See note on John 2:13 .
out of . Greek. ek. App-104 .
before . Greek. pro. App-104 .
to = in order to. Greek. hina.
purify themselves : i.e. from Levitical uncleanness. See Numbers 9:10 and Acts 21:24 .
56.
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?
sought = were seeking.
among themselves = with (Greek. meta. App-104 .) one another.
temple . Greek. hieron. See note on Matthew 23:16 .
not = in no wise. Greek. ou me. App-105 .
57.
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.
any man = any one. Greek. Us. App-123 .
knew = got to know. Greek ginosko. App-133 .
shew = disclose. Gr menuo. Only used here, Luke 20:37 . Acts 23:30 , and 1 Corinthians 10:28 .
take = arrest. Greek. piazo. Occurs twelve times, nine times in this sense. The three exceptions are John 21:3 , John 21:10 . Acts 8:7 .