Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 And it was the Mary who anointed the Lord with perfume, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. 3 So the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” 4 But when Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days in the place where He was. 7 Then after this He *said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” 8 The disciples *said to Him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You, and are You going there again?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” 11 He said these things, and after that He *said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him.” 12 The disciples then said to Him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will be saved from his sickness.” 13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was speaking of actual sleep. 14 So Jesus then said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15 and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let us go to him.” 16 Therefore Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, so that we may die with Him.” John 11: 1-16 LSB
John 11: 1-16
…30‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone is sent to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31Then Abraham said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’” Luke 16: 30-31
V. 1 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus from Bethany - Lazarus was a common name meaning "whom God helps", and also the name Jesus chose to use in the parable of the "Rich Man and Lazarus". How fitting and I believe quite purposeful of God to choose that name. It was the rich man who asked that Father Abraham send someone back from the dead to warn his brothers. Bethany means "house of figs' or some render 'house of dates", for the many fig trees and date palms there.
Arnold Fruchtenbaum sees John 11:1-44 as a presentation of the first sign of Jonah writing "The resurrection of Lazarus, recorded in John 11:1–44, is the presentation of the first sign of Jonah (Mt 12:39-40+, Mt 16:4+, Lk 11:29-30+). The Messiah had raised others from the dead, yet all of the other resurrections are covered in just a few verses. But here John the Apostle uses 44 verses to give great detail about the resurrection of Lazarus. Why? This is the sign of Jonah that Yeshua had promised." - Precept Austin
J C Ryle - The chapter we have now begun is one of the most remarkable in the New Testament. For grandeur and simplicity, for pathos and solemnity, nothing was ever written like it. It describes a miracle which is not recorded in the other Gospels—the raising of Lazarus from the dead. Nowhere shall we find such convincing proofs of our Lord’s Divine power. As God, He makes the grave itself yield up its tenants. Nowhere shall we find such striking illustrations of our Lord’s ability to sympathize with His people. As man, He can be touched with the feelings of our infirmities. Such a miracle well became the end of such a ministry. It was fit and right that the victory of Bethany should closely precede the crucifixion at Calvary. - PA
V. 2 It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with perfume, and wiped His feet with her hair - This was the sister of Lazarus. Mary was also a common name so there was a need for distinction, but this also answers who the woman of Matthew 26 was, and we see her and her sister, Martha, in Luke 10 as well.
6While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, 7a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He reclined at the table. 8When the disciples saw this, they were indignant and asked, “Why this waste?… Matthew 26: 6-8
38As they traveled along, Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. 39She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to His message. 40But Martha was distracted by all the preparations to be made. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me!”…
…41“Martha, Martha,” the Lord replied, “you are worried and upset about many things. 42But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10: 38-42
V. 3 Lord, behold, he whom You loved is sick - They call Him by His rightful title, and one day every knee will bow, whether of love or no place left to turn, no excuses remaining, everyone will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. There is a very familial sort of bond here, as Jesus had been hosted in Martha's house, and had forgiven the sins of Mary. This should be characteristic of His disciples, love for Christ and love for each other.
…34A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. 35By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” 36“Lord, where are You going?” Simon Peter asked. Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you cannot follow Me now, but you will follow later.”… John 13: 34-36
V. 4 But is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it - John has been highlighting several miracles that substantiate Jesus' claim to deity and Messiahship. He claimed to be the bread of heaven, and He broke bread, showing His creative power in the feeding of the multitudes. He calls Himself the light, and He gave a physical representation of this in causing men to see. Now He has also called Himself the life, and said that He will rise again of His own on the third day. You can go to magic shows today, people love stories of the miraculous, or of super heroes, even the sciences have gone to the supernatural, seeking answers in the form of multiverses to answer their present problems. People seem revolted by reality, wanting nature to be non caloric, thinking that there should be no demand upon their being. I know people who say "work is for stupid people", but they get really offended when you say, "starving is for people who don't work". It's an uncomfortable reality for them, and to avoid it they look for someone to champion their cause, to help them get out of work, even if everyone who does work for the betterment and health of society has to pay their way. So how do they talk someone into that? Easy, those false prophets and politicians just ask for your vote in a democracy. In other places it is socialism or it's grown up form, communism, and the state allots a certain amount to each individual in it's purist form, but as China and all else have found out, people want reward, and others are happy to slack. When the Jews saw Jesus could could make food, they thought He would be a Messiah like that as well. Jesus' miracles point to Who He claims to be, God, but He doesn't use His power the way they want Him to. It is not for entertainment, it is not a side show, it is not for free food of the glory of men, but for the glory of God and the fulfillment of His Word.
11If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. 12Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory.… 1 Peter 4: 11-13
V. 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus - He loved the whole family. Martha some say means "bitterness" or the opposite of Lord, "Lady or Mistress" of the house. She does seem to be the matriarch, extrovert and organizer. They also appear to be a family of great means, given the extraordinary perfume that her sister used to anoint Jesus, but also serving as hosts. Mary means "beloved".
V. 6 He then stayed two days in the place where He was - The message took some time to arrive, arrived, Jesus heard, and then decided to stay where He was. He does not rush out to the one He loves.
18Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore He rises to show you compassion, for the LORD is a just God. Blessed are all who wait for Him. 19O people in Zion who dwell in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. He will surely be gracious when you cry for help; when He hears, He will answer you.… Isaiah 30: 18-19
…8“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. 9“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. 10For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat,… Isaiah 55: 8-10
V. 8 Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You - This places the time frame close to the events of the last chapter, and this doesn't seem like a good idea, going where you are not wanted.
Vs. 9 & 10 Are there not twelve hours in the day - He is on a mission and time is getting short. Timing is a huge theme in the gospels. Christ is not taken till His time, not put on the cross until the appointed time, and not stoned.
Jesus (Iesous) answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? Jesus asked a rhetorical question to draw His disciples in. In a day without watches and clocks, days were divided into 12 equal hours from sunrise to sunset, regardless of the time of the year. Depending on the time of the year, the actual length of daylight was from 9 hours 41 minutes to 14 hours 12 minutes. Jesus is speaking figuratively here for He knows that He has only a short time remaining before He is crucified (cf Jn 12:27). He is referring to the time allotted by His Father to accomplish His mission on earth. - Precept Austin
…10Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no cause of stumbling in him. 11But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness. He does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. 12I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven through His name.… 1 John 2: 10-12
V. 11 Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep - Such a light way of looking at it. This is the terror of most, and I think for Christians it is still even a point of concern because of who they leave behind, and also how they will conduct themselves through the pains and grips of death, but that is the great hope of this passage, the tone of the message. Jesus is not alarmed or taken off guard, it is time to go wake up His friend.
…18We were with child; we writhed in pain; but we gave birth to wind. We have given no salvation to the earth, nor brought any life into the world. 19Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust! For your dew is like the dew of the morning, and the earth will bring forth her dead. 20Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut your doors behind you. Hide yourselves a little while until the wrath has passed.… Isaiah 26: 18-20
…13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that is illuminated becomes a light itself. 14So it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 15Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,… Ephesians 5: 13-15
V. 12 & 13 But they thought He was speaking of actual sleep - They did not have the same amount of light, and a metaphor like this would be lost on them. It is too light hearted maybe considering the family that it affects, and they were probably hoping that Lazarus did not have the sort of sickness that was unto death, or that Jesus would heal him from afar. They would still be nervous about returning to that town. Death and sleep are held very far apart at least here. There is certainly a finality, and I know people who don't even want to discuss it, but it is one of the surer and more common experiences to all of us. Many take comfort today thinking there is nothing after this, and others make up a place after their own fancy, the happy hunting grounds or a planet full of virgins, all are wrong according to God. The Bible tells us that death is a result of sin, that all have sinned, and the wages of sin is death. It states not only this but that there is a resurrection unto life and one unto judgment. Those who are found in Christ are saved in judgment, those who have trusted in something else, themselves, some cult leader, some political party, will be resurrected to a final judgment which will be their entry into eternal torment. There is nothing light hearted about that.
…54When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come to pass: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 55“Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?” 56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.… 1 Corinthians 15: 54-56
…14I do confess to you, however, that I worship the God of our fathers according to the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, 15and I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.… Acts 24: 14-16
1“At that time Michael, the great prince who stands watch over your people, will rise up. There will be a time of distress, the likes of which will not have occurred from the beginning of nations until that time. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. 2And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt. 3Then the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever.… Daniel 12: 1-3
V. 14 Lazarus is dead - Now we are all on the same page.
V. 15 I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe - That He is the resurrection and the life, that He is God. Anyone Who is the life, self existing, without beginning, what life proceeds from, that is God. He is not procreative, but Creator, He can speak life into being. They have seen a lot of miracles, and there will be plenty of witnesses to this, to someone coming back from the dead, and many of those won't believe, but this will help His disciples.
…14knowing that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in His presence. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is extending to more and more people may overflow in thanksgiving, to the glory of God. 16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day.… 2 Corinthians 4: 14-16
V. 16 Let us also go, so that we may die with Him - Ah Thomas, doubting Thomas, but let's be clear, he didn't run, he didn't refuse. It is quite stoic, but then none of us went through almost seeing our Master stoned. When God draws a man it is all the way, and we see along the way points of doubt, confusion, depression and despair, but to those that are chosen these become an exercise towards spiritual maturity. They called Him Rabbi earlier, ruler or teacher, and here is the proof of it in that they will follow Him even back to where they do not wish to return.
…18Truly, truly, I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. And after He had said this, He told him, “Follow Me.” 20Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them. He was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper to ask, “Lord, who is going to betray You?”…
…21When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” 22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain until I return, what is that to you? You follow Me!” 23Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. However, Jesus did not say that he would not die, but only, “If I want him to remain until I return, what is that to you?”… John 21: 18-23
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