John 11

This chapter stands at the threshold of the second half of the Gospel of John. In John 10, when the Jews sought to stone Jesus, he withdrew beyond the Jordan; this chapter continues with Jesus returning to Judea despite that danger.

Outline

• Verses 1–6 When Lazarus of Bethany falls ill, his sisters send word to Jesus. Jesus says the sickness is for the glory of God and stays where he is two more days.
• Verses 7–16 When Jesus proposes going back to Judea, the disciples try to dissuade him. Jesus says that Lazarus "sleepeth," then states plainly that he is dead, and Thomas says, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."
• Verses 17–27 Lazarus has been in the tomb four days. Martha goes out to meet Jesus, and Jesus declares that he is the resurrection and the life. Martha confesses him as the Christ, the Son of God.
• Verses 28–37 Mary falls at Jesus' feet weeping, and Jesus groans in the spirit and weeps.
• Verses 38–44 Jesus has the stone taken away, prays to the Father, and calls, "Lazarus, come forth," and Lazarus comes out bound in graveclothes.
• Verses 45–53 Many of the Jews believe, but some report to the Pharisees. In the council, Caiaphas the high priest says it is expedient that one man should die for the people, and from that day the plot to put Jesus to death begins.
• Verses 54–57 Jesus withdraws to a city called Ephraim, and as the Passover approaches, an order is issued for his arrest.

Key Verses

• John 11:25–26 "I am the resurrection, and the life" — one of the "I am" declarations in John's Gospel and a defining text of faith in the resurrection.
• John 11:35 "Jesus wept." — frequently cited as showing Jesus' human grief.
• John 11:50 "that one man should die for the people" — John interprets Caiaphas's words as a prophecy of Jesus' substitutionary death (verses 51–52).

Characters and Places

• Lazarus — the brother of Martha and Mary, living in Bethany.
• Martha and Mary — the sisters of Lazarus.
• Thomas — one of the Twelve; "Didymus" means "twin."
• Caiaphas — the high priest that year.
• Bethany — a village about fifteen furlongs from Jerusalem.
• Ephraim — a city near the wilderness; its exact location is uncertain.

Points for Reflection

• Verse 2 introduces Mary as the one "which anointed the Lord with ointment," an event narrated in John 12. Western church tradition at times identified this Mary with Mary Magdalene or with the woman of Luke 7, but the text does not say so.
• Lazarus is understood to have been restored to life and later to have died again. This is generally read as distinct from the "resurrection at the last day" of which Martha speaks (verse 24).
• The phrases "groaned in the spirit" and "groaning in himself" (verses 33, 38) are read by some as anger in the face of death and by others as deep sorrow.
• Stories that Lazarus afterward ministered in Cyprus or Marseille are later traditions not found in the text.
• This event is commonly counted as the last of the seven signs in the Gospel of John. The plot that begins in this chapter leads to the trial of Jesus and the crucifixion.

In the Korean Church

Verses 25–26 are frequently read at funeral services and memorial services, and are also widely used as a sermon text for Easter.