Read the Passage: John 11

Listen to the Redeemed Mind Podcast: John 11

Disciples’ Confusion (11:1–19)

As John 11 begins, Jesus is near the end of His public ministry. In John 11:40 Christ had retreated to the Transjordan area, northeast of the Sea of Galilee, likely to prepare His disciples in private for His impending death. As this chapter begins, John introduces Mary, Martha, and Lazarus to the narrative. While Mary and Martha are referred to by name in Luke’s Gospel, John is the only Gospel writer who mentions Lazarus. At John 11:3 Jesus received word that “he whom you love is sick.” Rather than instantly going to Lazarus, Christ declared, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God” (John 11:4; cf. John 9:3). After remaining in the Transjordan area for two more days, Jesus declared His intent to travel to Judea. The disciples objected to this plan, as they reminded Christ that He had recently been nearly stoned when in Jerusalem (cf. John 8:59; 10:31–39).

The disciples were confused about Jesus’ desire to go into Judea, where they would inevitably face animosity, as well as by Christ’s claim, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up” (John 11:11). The disciples’ objection to Jesus waking an ill man led Christ to plainly teach, “Lazarus is dead” (John 11:14). Indeed, when Jesus arrived in Judea, He learned that Lazarus had been dead for four days. Given the one-day travel time between the Transjordan and Bethany, as well as Christ’s two-day delay, this means that Lazarus was likely dead before the messenger initially reached Him. Note the three motivations for the impending miracle: the glory of God (cf. John 11:4), Jesus’ love for the family (cf. John 11:5), and the disciples’ faith (cf. John 11:14). At John 11:16 Thomas expressed the disciples’ attitude, as he said, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.”

Jesus’ Teachings (11:20–44)

John 11:20–34 narrates Jesus’ encounter with Martha and Mary. Christ’s interaction with Martha is interesting, as in her grief Martha claimed that if Jesus had been present, then Lazarus would not have died. Curiously, Martha does not explicitly ask Jesus to raise Lazarus. In fact, when Christ raises the subject of resurrection, Martha assumes He is talking about a general resurrection (cf. Job 19:25–26). This prompted Jesus to give His teaching, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25), by which Christ meant He is the source, the substance, and the first-fruits of resurrection. Martha then confessed her belief that Jesus is the Son of God. Next, Christ met Mary, and she greeted him with the same claim that Martha had made about His presence, or lack thereof (cf. John 11:32). Upon seeing her anguish and grief, Jesus groaned in His spirit and asked to see Lazarus’ tomb.

John 11:35, which is the shortest verse in the English Bible, says, “Jesus wept.” It seems likely that Christ wept on this occasion for at least three reasons. First, Jesus wept for He loved Lazarus and was naturally grieved at his passing (cf. John. 11:36). Second, Christ wept over the presence of sin in the world, which leads to death (cf. Isa. 53:3). Third, and perhaps most importantly, Jesus wept on account of the unbelief of those who were present (cf. John 11:15, 26, 33, 37, 39, 42, 45, 48). Observe that the only other time in the Gospels when Christ wept was at Luke 19:41 when He wept because of the unbelief of those in Jerusalem as He approached the city before His crucifixion. Next, in John 11:40–44 Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. The account of this resurrection is surprisingly brief, as Christ simply prayed to His Father and commanded Lazarus to come forth.

Leaders’ Reaction (11:45–57)

While John does not record Lazarus’ response to being resurrected, he does report the reaction of the religious leaders. Indeed, while some of the common people believed in Jesus (cf. John 11:45), the religious leaders’ response to Lazarus’ resurrection was to call for a meeting of the Sanhedrin. As John records, the purpose of this council was not to evaluate the miracle that had been performed in their midst. Rather, the concern of the leaders was that “everyone will believe in Jesus, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation” (John 11:48). John 11:49–52 is an interesting passage, as here Caiaphas justifies the sin of the Sanhedrin in planning Jesus’ death by appealing to the greater good. John explains that with this selfish claim, Christ’s coming death was being prophesied by the words of the high priest. Prophecy depends on God, not man.

Application Questions:

1. Apart from Jesus, how many people are raised from the dead in the Bible? Are there any commonalities among these resurrections?
2. If “Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus” (John 11:5), why did Christ delay His travel to Bethany?
3. How does the resurrection of Lazarus differ from the resurrection of Jairus’ daughter and the resurrection of the widow of Nain’s son?
4. Given that both Martha and Mary greeted Jesus with the same claim, why did He respond differently to each of them?
5. Why do you believe there is no narrative in Scripture of Lazarus’ reaction once he exited the tomb?