1 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
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?
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.
10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.
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.
12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
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.
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.
18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:
19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
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.
22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
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:
26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. 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.
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.
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.
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.
34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
35 Jesus wept.
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?
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.
40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
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.
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.
43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
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.
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.
47 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.
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.
49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,
50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;
52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.
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.
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.
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?
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.
Chapter 11 of the Book of John in the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible is a pivotal section that encapsulates the themes of faith, resurrection, and the divinity of Jesus Christ. It narrates the miraculous resurrection of Lazarus, a poignant testament to Jesus' power over life and death. This chapter serves as a turning point in the gospel, leading to the climax of Jesus's crucifixion and subsequent resurrection.
The chapter begins with the news of Lazarus's illness reaching Jesus. Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, is described as someone Jesus loved. In response to the news, Jesus states, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby" (John 11:4). This statement is a foretelling of the miracle to come, setting the stage for the profound revelation of Jesus's divine identity.
Jesus, however, does not immediately rush to Bethany to heal Lazarus. Instead, He stays two more days in the place where He was, a delay that results in Lazarus's death. This delay is significant as it further emphasizes the miraculous nature of the resurrection that is to follow. It also serves as a testament to Jesus's sovereignty and His divine timing that surpasses human understanding.
When Jesus eventually arrives in Bethany, Lazarus has been dead for four days. He is first met by Martha, who expresses her grief and her belief that if Jesus had been there, her brother would not have died. Jesus responds to Martha with one of the most profound declarations of His divinity in the entire Bible: "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die" (John 11:25-26). This statement encapsulates the central theme of the chapter and the entire Gospel - faith in Jesus brings eternal life.
Mary, when she meets Jesus, echoes her sister's sentiments, expressing her sorrow and belief that Jesus could have prevented Lazarus's death. In response, Jesus is deeply moved and weeps, displaying His empathy and compassion. Jesus's weeping is a profound demonstration of his humanity, showing that while He is divine, He also fully partakes in human experiences, including grief.
The pinnacle of this chapter is the resurrection of Lazarus. Jesus, deeply moved, comes to the tomb and commands Lazarus to come out. Lazarus emerges from the tomb, alive, wrapped in grave clothes, a clear demonstration of Jesus's power over death. This miracle serves as a visual and tangible manifestation of the spiritual resurrection and life that Jesus offers to believers.
The resurrection of Lazarus is a critical event that further polarizes the public opinion about Jesus. Many who witness this miracle believe in Him. However, some go to the Pharisees and report what has happened, further fuelling their plot to kill Jesus. This division of responses to Jesus's miracles is a recurring theme in the Gospel, underscoring the various reactions to Jesus's ministry and message.
The chapter concludes with the Jewish leaders plotting to kill Jesus. The high priest, Caiaphas, prophesies that it is better for one man to die for the people than for the whole nation to perish. This prophecy, while intended to justify their plot to kill Jesus, ironically foretells Jesus's sacrificial death for the salvation of humanity.
In summary, Chapter 11 of the Book of John is a profound narrative that encapsulates the themes of faith, resurrection, and the divinity of Jesus Christ. The resurrection of Lazarus serves as a powerful demonstration of Jesus's power over life and death, while the responses to this miracle underscore the various reactions to Jesus's ministry and message. Moreover, the plot to kill Jesus sets the stage for the climax of the gospel - Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection, which bring salvation to humanity.
The chapter serves as a reminder of the profound hope and life that faith in Jesus brings. It invites readers to reflect on Jesus's identity as the resurrection and the life, and to place their faith in Him. Moreover, it calls readers to respond with belief and commitment to the miracles and teachings of Jesus, rather than with skepticism or hostility. Indeed, the chapter underscores the transformative power of faith in Jesus, inviting us to partake in the eternal life that He offers.
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