John Chapter 11 — The Raising of Lazarus
Jesus travels to Bethany to raise His friend Lazarus from the dead, demonstrating His power over death and prompting a religious council to plot against Him.
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Notable Verses
John 11:25
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies.””
This verse contains one of the seven 'I Am' statements of Jesus, identifying Himself as the source of eternal life.
John 11:35
“Jesus wept.”
This is the shortest verse in the Bible and highlights Jesus' deep human emotion and empathy for those in grief.
John 11:43-44
“When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” He who was dead came out, bound hand and foot with wrappings...”
This is the climax of the chapter, showing Jesus' divine authority over physical death.
Chapter Summary
In John Chapter 11, Jesus receives word that His friend Lazarus is ill but delays His arrival for two days, stating the sickness is for God's glory. By the time Jesus reaches Bethany, Lazarus has been in the tomb for four days. Jesus engages in profound conversations with Martha and Mary, declaring Himself 'the resurrection and the life.' Deeply moved by the sisters' grief, Jesus weeps before approaching the tomb. He commands the stone to be removed and calls Lazarus to come out, restoring him to life. This miracle leads many to believe in Jesus but also alarms the religious leaders. The high priest Caiaphas prophesies that one man should die for the nation, and the council begins plotting to put Jesus to death. The chapter concludes with Jesus withdrawing to the city of Ephraim as the Passover approaches and the authorities issue orders for His arrest.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to the text, Jesus delayed His departure so that the miracle of raising Lazarus would clearly demonstrate God's glory and strengthen the faith of His disciples by showing His power over death.
In this statement, Jesus claims that He is the power behind the future resurrection of the dead and that through belief in Him, people can experience life that transcends physical death.
The Pharisees and chief priests feared that Jesus' growing popularity and miracles would cause a political upheaval, leading the Romans to intervene and destroy their temple and nation.
Study Note
The detail that Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days is significant, as it emphasized the finality of his death according to local traditions of the time.
Related Chapters
John Chapter 12
This chapter follows the events in Bethany and records Jesus being anointed for His burial.
Luke Chapter 10
This chapter provides additional background on the characters of Mary and Martha.
John Chapter 20
Jesus' own resurrection provides the ultimate fulfillment of His claim to be the resurrection and the life.
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