Gospel of John
Chapter XI

King James Bible Text

Study Notes Commentary

1 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.

Verse 1 Lazarus, Mary and Martha are brother and sisters – Jesus’ beloved disciples from Bethany!
 

3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.

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.

5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.

6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.

7 Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.

8 His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?

Verse 8 Jesus is not afraid of anything – He knows God is with Him! Do you know God is with you right now?
 

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.

Verses 9 & 10 Jesus answers simply! He gives his disciples the example that in daylight you can see to walk, but in the dark of night, you can’t see where you’re going! If you walk in ignorance –"spiritual darkness," you only stumble – because there’s no understanding – no God Light in you!

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.

13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.

Verse 13 Jesus is talking about death, but they think that He means, "asleep in his bed."
 

14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
 

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.

Verse 15 Jesus says, "For your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there, so that you can believe!" He knows Lazarus can’t die! "Come on, let’s go!"
 

16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

17 Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.

20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.

21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

Verse 21 Martha tells Jesus of her faith and trust in Him!

 

Verse 22 And now she tells Him of her trust in God! Do you have any idea of the power in declaring your faith? Declare it – so you can know it! Yea!

Verse 23 Jesus tells Martha that Lazarus is okay! He’s alive!
 

24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

Verse 25 Jesus is your Savior! He’s telling you that there is Life only in God! A human is already dead in his mind because he doesn’t know what he is, or where he’s from!
 

26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Verse 26 Jesus is the answer! Do you, personally, believe Jesus? When you do – you will have learned that you cannot die; that Life is Eternal! Believest thou this?

27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

Verse 27 Martha tells Jesus she believes He is the promised Christ – the Son of God! God bless Martha! God bless you! God bless everyone!

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.

Verse 28 Martha calls Mary from her sadness, and tells her that Jesus is calling for her!

 

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.

Verse 30 A "meeting of the Mind" of Jesus and Martha! God is the Mind with which you think! Remember that, and stay in the meeting place!

Verse 31 The Jews think they know what is happening! No way! Jesus has a plan for a miraculous happening – raising Lazarus from the dead! Do you feel the excitement in this story? There really is no time to weep!
 

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.

33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled.

Verse 33 Can you understand how Jesus is feeling after all His teaching and explaining that there is no death? No wonder he "groaned in the spirit!"
 

34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.

Verse 34 "Okay," says Jesus, "where’s the body? Where is he buried?"

35 Jesus wept.

 

36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

Verse 36 Jesus weeps for the "living" who do not understand Him! The Jews think He is crying for the dead!

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?

38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.

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.

Verse 39 Martha doesn’t understand what Jesus is going to do, so she complains to Him, "Lord, by this time he stinketh!!" Well, does Jesus perform miracles, or doesn’t He?

40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

Verse 40 Jesus tells you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God! He is telling you that right now! Now, let Jesus do his job!

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.

Verse 44 My goodness, Lazarus is quite the sight! All Jesus is ever telling you is to "wake up" from your dream of death and be free! Let go of all your resentments and grievances now!
 

45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.

46 But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.

You think you know what the problem is, then you make a plan to fix it! When did your plan ever work? Look at where you find yourself!

49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,

 

Verse 49 Caiaphas is the voice of fear! He tells the priests that they have no idea how powerful Jesus really is! He (his whole world/his belief system) is threatened by the truth Jesus brings! He, his whole world, his belief system – it’s all self-identity!

51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;

Verse 54 Jesus has only one purpose and that is to teach His beloved disciples! What does he teach? Love your enemies! Do good to those who hurt you and despise you!
 

Verse 55 "Purify" means to cleanse! Before the feast, many went up from the towns to Jerusalem to cleanse themselves of their "sins!" It’s a religious custom!
 

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?

Verse 56 The Jews are at the temple, wondering if Jesus will show Himself at the Passover feast! What do you think?

 

Verse 57 This is getting serious! J There’s an APB out! The Establishment is threatened! Will anyone turn Him in? Yes – if money is involved – read on! What would you do for money?