# Overview John Chapter 11 is a pivotal chapter in the Gospel of #John, showcasing the profound power and compassion of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]] through the raising of #Lazarus from the dead. The narrative begins with the illness of Lazarus, the brother of #Mary and #Martha, in the town of #Bethany. Despite receiving news of Lazarus's condition, Jesus purposely delays his visit for two days, stating that the illness will ultimately glorify God. This deliberate delay sets the stage for a remarkable demonstration of Jesus' divine authority over life and death. Upon arriving in Bethany, Jesus is met by Martha, who expresses her faith in Jesus' ability to heal, yet also her sorrow over her brother's death. In response, Jesus declares Himself as "the resurrection and the life," affirming that those who believe in Him will have eternal life. This powerful claim sets the theological foundation for the subsequent miracle, illustrating Jesus' unique role as the giver of life. The climax of the chapter occurs at the tomb of Lazarus, where Jesus, deeply moved, commands the stone to be removed and calls Lazarus forth. The miraculous resurrection of Lazarus not only confirms Jesus' divine authority but also serves to strengthen the faith of His followers and provoke a decisive reaction from His opponents. Many of the #Jews who witness the miracle believe in Jesus, yet the #Pharisees and #chiefpriests intensify their plans to kill Him, fearing the growing influence He holds over the people. Caiaphas, the high priest, unwittingly prophesies that Jesus will die for the nation, emphasizing the necessity of Jesus' death for the salvation of many. Thus, John Chapter 11 intricately weaves themes of faith, divine timing, and the impending Passion of Christ, all of which underscore Jesus' messianic mission and foreshadow His own resurrection. ## Theological Insights John 11 presents profound theological insights into the nature of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]] as the #Resurrection and the #Life. This chapter narrates the powerful event of Jesus raising #Lazarus from the dead, which serves as a pivotal sign of His divine authority over life and death. Firstly, the declaration of Jesus in John 11:25-26, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies," underscores Jesus' identity as the source of both physical and spiritual life. This statement is not only a comfort to #Martha but also a profound theological assertion about the nature of eternal life in Jesus, pointing to the reality of the #resurrection for all believers. The raising of Lazarus also serves to glorify God and to reveal Jesus as the #SonOfGod. As Jesus states in John 11:4, the illness of Lazarus "is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." This underscores the Johannine theme of the revelation of God's glory through Jesus' works, aligning with the purpose of the Gospel of #John, as stated in [[John/John Chapter 20|John 20:31]], "that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." Furthermore, the emotional response of Jesus in John 11:35, where "Jesus wept," highlights His genuine compassion and humanity. This verse, the shortest in the Bible, reveals the depth of Jesus' empathy and love for humanity, echoing the theme of the #Incarnation found in [[John/John Chapter 1|John 1:14]], where the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The raising of Lazarus also foreshadows Jesus' own #resurrection, reinforcing the inevitability of the cross and the ultimate victory over death. This miracle acts as a catalyst for the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion, as it intensifies the opposition from the religious leaders, who plot to kill Jesus in [[John/John Chapter 11|John 11:53]]. In summary, John 11 not only affirms Jesus' authority over death but also encapsulates the promise of eternal life for believers. It bridges the themes of compassion, divine glory, and the intersection of Jesus' humanity and divinity, all central tenets of Christian faith and the Gospel message. ## Thematic Connections ### The Power of #Resurrection and #Life John 11 is a profound demonstration of Jesus as the resurrection and the life, a theme that resonates throughout the #Gospel of John. Jesus' declaration in [[John/John Chapter 11|verse 25]] ("I am the resurrection and the life") links directly to Jesus’ divine authority over life and death, foreshadowing His own resurrection in [[John/John Chapter 20]]. This theme is consistent with the promise of eternal life seen in [[John/John Chapter 3|John 3:16]]. ### The Glory of #God Revealed through #Miracles The raising of #Lazarus is a sign that reveals the glory of God, as Jesus states that the sickness is for God's glory so that the Son of God may be glorified through it (11:4). This miracle highlights the theme of God's glory being revealed through Jesus’ works, aligning with other miraculous signs in John, such as the turning of water into wine in [[John/John Chapter 2|John 2:11]] and the healing of the man born blind in [[John/John Chapter 9|John 9:3]]. ### Faith and Belief in the Face of #Death The chapter emphasizes the importance of faith, as seen in Jesus’ conversation with #Martha in [[John/John Chapter 11|verses 25-27]], where He calls her to believe in Him as the resurrection and life. This theme is echoed throughout the Gospel, as belief in Jesus is the pathway to eternal life, as stated in [[John/John Chapter 20|John 20:31]]. ### The Human Emotion and Compassion of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]] John 11 uniquely portrays the human emotion of Jesus, most notably in [[John/John Chapter 11|verse 35]], where Jesus weeps at Lazarus’ tomb. This scene highlights Jesus’ compassion and empathy, connecting to other instances where Jesus displays deep personal care for individuals, such as His compassion for the widow at Nain in [[Luke/Luke Chapter 7|Luke 7:13]]. ### The Conflict between Jesus and the #ReligiousLeaders The raising of Lazarus intensifies the growing conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders, as seen in their reaction in [[John/John Chapter 11|verses 47-53]]. This theme of conflict is present throughout the Gospel of John, where Jesus' actions and teachings often challenge the established religious order, as seen in previous chapters like the cleansing of the temple in [[John/John Chapter 2|John 2:14-16]]. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### The Resurrection and the Life In #John 11, Jesus declares Himself as "the resurrection and the life" when speaking to #Martha about her brother #Lazarus. This declaration aligns with the prophecy in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 25|Isaiah 25:8]], where it is foretold that God will "swallow up death forever." By raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus demonstrates His power over death, fulfilling this prophecy and affirming His identity as the #Messiah who has come to conquer death and offer eternal life. ### The Messianic Authority over Life and Death The raising of Lazarus also echoes the prophecy found in [[Ezekiel/Ezekiel Chapter 37|Ezekiel 37:12-14]], where God promises to open graves and bring His people back to life. Jesus' miracle of restoring Lazarus to life serves as a fulfillment of this prophetic vision, showcasing His divine authority and foreshadowing the future resurrection of all believers. Through this miraculous act, Jesus exemplifies His role as the shepherd who has the power to give life, reinforcing His messianic mission as prophesied in the Old Testament. ### The Glory of God Revealed Jesus' prayer before raising Lazarus, where He thanks God for hearing Him, highlights the fulfillment of the prophetic expectation of God's glory being revealed through the Messiah. This connects to prophecies such as [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 40|Isaiah 40:5]], which speaks of the glory of the Lord being revealed to all people. By performing this miracle, Jesus manifests God's glory and confirms His divine authority, showcasing that He is the revelation of God's power and presence on earth. ### The Son of God Proclaimed In declaring Himself the "resurrection and the life" and demonstrating His power, Jesus fulfills the messianic expectations articulated in the Psalms, where the #SonOfGod is described as one who has the authority over life and death. This is reminiscent of [[Psalm/Psalm Chapter 2|Psalm 2:7]], where God declares, "You are my Son; today I have begotten you." Jesus' actions in John 11 affirm His identity as the divine Son of God, fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's divine sonship and authority. ## Verses - **John 11:1** - "A man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha." - #Lazarus #Bethany #Mary #Martha - Related event: [[Luke/Luke Chapter 10]] - **John 11:2** - "This is the Mary who later poured the expensive perfume on the Lord’s feet and wiped them with her hair. Her brother, Lazarus, was sick." - #Mary #Perfume - Related event: [[John/John Chapter 12]] - **John 11:3** - "So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, 'Lord, your dear friend is very sick.'" - [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]] #Friendship - **John 11:4** - "But when Jesus heard about it he said, 'Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.'" - [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]] #Glory of God - Related theme: [[John/John Chapter 9]] - **John 11:5** - "So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus," - #Love - **John 11:6** - "he stayed where he was for the next two days." - #Delay - **John 11:7** - "Finally, he said to his disciples, 'Let’s go back to Judea.'" - #Judea #Disciples - **John 11:8** - "But his disciples objected. 'Rabbi,' they said, 'only a few days ago the people in Judea were trying to stone you. Are you going there again?'" - #Disciples #Danger - Related event: [[John/John Chapter 10]] - **John 11:9** - "Jesus replied, 'There are twelve hours of daylight every day. During the day people can walk safely. They can see because they have the light of this world.'" - #Light - **John 11:10** - "But at night there is danger of stumbling because they have no light." - #Light #Darkness - **John 11:11** - "Then he said, 'Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up.'" - #Lazarus #Sleep - **John 11:12** - "The disciples said, 'Lord, if he is sleeping, he will soon get better.'" - #Disciples - **John 11:13** - "They thought Jesus meant Lazarus was simply sleeping, but Jesus meant Lazarus had died." - #Misunderstanding - **John 11:14** - "So he told them plainly, 'Lazarus is dead.'" - #Lazarus #Death - **John 11:15** - "And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there, for now you will really believe. Come, let’s go see him.'" - #Belief - **John 11:16** - "Thomas, nicknamed the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, 'Let’s go, too—and die with Jesus.'" - #Thomas #Courage - Related event: [[John/John Chapter 20]] - **John 11:17** - "When Jesus arrived at Bethany, he was told that Lazarus had already been in his grave for four days." - #Bethany #Lazarus - **John 11:18** - "Bethany was only a few miles down the road from Jerusalem," - #Bethany #Jerusalem - **John 11:19** - "and many of the people had come to console Martha and Mary in their loss." - #Consolation - **John 11:20** - "When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. But Mary stayed in the house." - #Martha #Mary - **John 11:21** - "Martha said to Jesus, 'Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.'" - #Martha #Faith - **John 11:22** - "But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.'" - #Faith #Prayer - **John 11:23** - "Jesus told her, 'Your brother will rise again.'" - #Resurrection - **John 11:24** - "'Yes,' Martha said, 'he will rise when everyone else rises, at the last day.'" - #Resurrection #Last Day - Related concept: [[1 Corinthians/1 Corinthians Chapter 15]] - **John 11:25** - "Jesus told her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.'" - #Resurrection #Life #Belief - Related teaching: [[John/John Chapter 14]] - **John 11:26** - "'Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?'" - #Eternal Life - **John 11:27** - "‘Yes, Lord,’ she told him. ‘I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.’" - #Messiah #Son of God - Related declaration: [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 16]] - **John 11:28** - "Then she returned to Mary. She called Mary aside from the mourners and told her, 'The Teacher is here and wants to see you.'" - #Mary #Teacher - **John 11:29** - "So Mary immediately went to him." - #Mary - **John 11:30** - "Jesus had stayed outside the village, at the place where Martha met him." - [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]] - **John 11:31** - "When the people who were at the house consoling Mary saw her leave so hastily, they assumed she was going to Lazarus’s grave to weep. So they followed her there." - #Mourning - **John 11:32** - "When Mary arrived and saw Jesus, she fell at his feet and said, 'Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.'" - #Mary #Faith - **John 11:33** - "When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled." - #Emotions - **John 11:34** - "'Where have you put him?' he asked them. They told him, 'Lord, come and see.'" - [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]] - **John 11:35** - "Then Jesus wept." - [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]] #Weeping - **John 11:36** - "The people who were standing nearby said, 'See how much he loved him!'" - #Love - **John 11:37** - "But some said, 'This man healed a blind man. Couldn’t he have kept Lazarus from dying?'" - #Healing #Unbelief - Related event: [[John/John Chapter 9]] - **John 11:38** - "Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance." - #Tomb - **John 11:39** - "'Roll the stone aside,' Jesus told them. But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, 'Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.'" - #Martha #Miracle - **John 11:40** - "Jesus responded, 'Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?'" - #Faith #Glory of God - **John 11:41** - "So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, 'Father, thank you for hearing me.'" - #Prayer - **John 11:42** - "'You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.'" - #Prayer #Belief - **John 11:43** - "Then Jesus shouted, 'Lazarus, come out!'" - #Miracle #Lazarus - **John 11:44** - "And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, 'Unwrap him and let him go.'" - #Resurrection #Lazarus - **John 11:45** - "Many of the people who were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen." - #Belief - **John 11:46** - "But some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done." - #Pharisees #Report - **John 11:47** - "Then the leading priests and Pharisees called the high council together. 'What are we going to do?' they asked each other. 'This man certainly performs many miraculous signs.'" - #Pharisees #High Council - **John 11:48** - "'If we allow him to go on like this, soon everyone will believe in him. Then the Roman army will come and destroy both our Temple and our nation.'" - #Fear #Romans - **John 11:49** - "Caiaphas, who was high priest at that time, said, 'You don’t know what you’re talking about!'" - #Caiaphas #High Priest - **John 11:50** - "'You don’t realize that it’s better for you that one man should die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed.'" - #Prophecy #Sacrifice - Related prophecy: [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 53]] - **John 11:51** - "He did not say this on his own; as high priest at that time he was led to prophesy that Jesus would die for the entire nation." - #Prophecy #High Priest - **John 11:52** - "And not only for that nation, but to bring together and unite all the children of God scattered around the world." - #Unity #Children of God - **John 11:53** - "So from that time on, the Jewish leaders began to plot Jesus’ death." - #Plot #Jewish Leaders - **John 11:54** - "As a result, Jesus stopped his public ministry among the people and left Jerusalem. He went to a place near the wilderness, to the village of Ephraim, and stayed there with his disciples." - #Ephraim #Disciples - **John 11:55** - "It was now almost time for the Jewish Passover celebration, and many people from all over the country arrived in Jerusalem several days early so they could go through the purification ceremony before Passover began." - #Passover #Purification - **John 11:56** - "They kept looking for Jesus, but as they stood around in the Temple, they said to each other, 'What do you think? He won’t come for Passover, will he?'" - #Temple #Anticipation - **John 11:57** - "Meanwhile, the leading priests and Pharisees had publicly ordered that anyone seeing Jesus must report it immediately so they could arrest him." - #Arrest #Pharisees