John 11 - Raising of Lazarus
Joh 11:1 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. Lazarus (whom God helps), (form of Hebrew name Eleazar), was sick. He lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha.
Joh 11:2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) This is the same Mary that anointed the feet of Jesus with expensive perfume. (Then she wiped them with her hair). (Luke 7:37-38).
Joh 11:3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. The two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling Him that Lazarus was sick and weakening.
Joh 11:4 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. Jesus heard the news and said, "Lazarus's sickness will not end in death. This happened for the Glory of God so that the Son of God will receive His glory from this." (Another miracle is about to take place here). Sound familiar? Remember when Jesus came across the man who was blind? (John 9:2-3). This is going to be more than just a healing.
Joh 11:5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. Jesus loved all three of them. (They were His friends).
Joh 11:6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. Even though Jesus heard the news about Lazarus, He remained where He was for a few more days. (It's all about God's timing).
Joh 11:7 Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. After a few days Jesus says to His disciples, let's go back to Judea. (Now was the correct time to see Lazarus).
Joh 11:8 His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? The Disciples were concerned what would happen to Jesus if He returned where they wanted to stone Him a few days earlier.
Joh 11:9 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. Jesus tells them; there are twelve hours of daylight in every day. During the day people can walk safely because they have the light of this world. (The light of this world would be the sun). It was common for the Jews at this time to divide their daylight into twelve parts. (Sunrise to sunset, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.).
Joh 11:10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. In the night they may stumble because they have no light. (Common sense). However, we have two levels of teaching here. One being the "sun," which is the light of this world. The other being the "Son," the true light of the world, which is Jesus Christ. Jesus is telling the disciples that He only has so much time left in His earthly ministry, and He only has so much time to do what God has sent Him to do. "Walking in the light is following God's will." (John 8:12). We know that Christ is that "Light" just as He said, and we are to be a "light" to the world for others to see, as examples of true Christianity. (Isaiah 60:1-3, Acts 13:47).
Joh 11:11 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. Jesus tells the disciples that Lazarus sleeps, but He would go and wake Him. (Going with a set purpose). The disciples think he is just sleeping; but Jesus is going to bring Lazarus back to life.
Joh 11:12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. They still think Lazarus is just sleeping and the rest will do him well making him better.
Joh 11:13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. They still didn't understand that Jesus was speaking of his death.
Joh 11:14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. Jesus tells them straight up, "Lazarus is dead."
Joh 11:15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. For your sakes, I'm glad I was not there Jesus tells them. Now you will really believe! Lets go see him. (Jesus knew that if He was there when Lazarus was sick, He would have had to heal him). He could have never refused the request of Mary and Martha. However, it was time for bringing someone back to life, to show the real Glory of God. "This would show the power of His Son, to the disciples."
Joh 11:16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. Thomas, which is called Didymus (the twin), said to the other disciples, "let's go too and die with Jesus." (Thomas realized that to return to the neighborhood of Jerusalem meant certain death). Pretty brave statement from Thomas, but could he do what he said?
Joh 11:17 Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already. Jesus arrived at Bethany and was told Lazarus had been in his grave for four days.
Joh 11:18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: A furlong is about 1/8th of a mile. Bethany was only about two miles from Jerusalem.
Joh 11:19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Many people had come to console Martha and Mary in their loss.
Joh 11:20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. Martha went to meet Jesus and Mary remained in the house.
Joh 11:21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. Martha probably a little upset with Jesus, tells Him, "Lord if only you had been here, my brother would not have died." (Note that the Lord does not rebuke Martha for being upset with Him, or questioning His actions). There are going to be times when we don't fully understand things that happen in this world, or in our lives. Many times we will find ourselves being upset with God and even blaming Him. (Don't worry, God can handle you being upset with Him at times). Remember that Job was upset with God. (Job 23:1-17). However, God also rebuked Job a little. (Job 38:1-3). Remember, God is your spiritual parent and knows what is best for you. If you do get upset with Him, always make sure that you apologize, repent, and make things right again.
Joh 11:22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. But yet, "I know that God will give you whatever you ask." (Was this an act of faith on Martha's part)?
Joh 11:23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Meaning, He will bring Him back to life.
Joh 11:24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Martha is thinking of the last days, when all will rise in our spiritual bodies. (Isaiah 26:19).
Joh 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: Jesus tells her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in Me will live, even after dying." (John 5:21, John 6:39-40, John 6:44).
Joh 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? Anyone who lives in Me and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this Martha Jesus asked? (John 3:16). One of the most important scriptures in the bible.
Joh 11:27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. Yes Martha says, I have always believed that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who has come into the world from God. (1 John 5:1, 1 John 5:20). Martha believed He was the true Christ, "she was a child of God."
Joh 11:28 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. Martha went to see Mary and called her aside from the mourners and told her, "The master (teacher), is here and wants to see you." This word Master here refers to Christ, but in general it is "didaskalos" Strong's G1320, meaning an instructor, or teacher. (John 13:13).
Joh 11:29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him. Mary went immediately to Him.
Joh 11:30 Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him. Jesus was outside the village at the place where Martha met Him. (John 11:20).
Joh 11:31 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. When Mary left the house, the people followed her thinking she was going to the grave of Lazarus to weep.
Joh 11:32 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. When Mary arrived she saw Jesus; she fell to His feet and said, "Lord, if only you were here, my brother would not have died." Just as Martha said in (John 11:21). (Possibly Mary and Martha were discussing this earlier).
Joh 11:33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, When Jesus saw her and the people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within Him, and He was deeply troubled. Why was Jesus upset? Was it because of the unbelief of the people that were there? Was it because He felt bad that Mary and Martha were in a way frustrated with Him for not being there to save Lazarus? Maybe Jesus was just sympathizing with them. Only Jesus can know what He really felt.
Joh 11:34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. "Where have you put Him Jesus asked?" They told Him come and see.
Joh 11:35 Jesus wept. "Then Jesus wept." (Shed tears for his friend). Yes, God cries when he sees harm come to one of His children.
Joh 11:36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! The people that were standing nearby said, "See how He loved him."
Joh 11:37 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? But others said, "This man healed a blind man; couldn't He have kept Lazarus from dying?" Jesus would face another question similar to this one at His crucifixion, only it would pertain to saving Himself. (Matthew 27:40-42, Luke 23:35, Luke 23:39).
Joh 11:38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. Jesus was still angry as He arrived at the tomb of Lazarus. (This was a cave opening with a large bolder in front of it).
Joh 11:39 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. "Roll the stone aside," Jesus commanded! But Martha protested and said, "Lord, he has been dead four days now and the smell will be terrible." How does the number four come into play here? The number four represents God’s creative works, especially works associated with the earth. (The Rabbis taught that the spirit wandered about for three days, seeking readmission to the body, but abandoned it on the forth day, as corruption began then). Here Jesus was about to raise Lazarus from the earth and the corruption of death.
Joh 11:40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? What was the response from Jesus? "Didn't I tell you before that you would see God's glory if you believe?" (i.e. The manifestation of the same glory by which Christ was raised). (Romans 6:4).
Joh 11:41 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. So the people rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, "Father, thank you for hearing Me." (Jesus used this term many times when praying to the Father). Jesus always thanked the Father for hearing His prayers, or requests just as we should.
Joh 11:42 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. The Father always hears Jesus in prayer, and Jesus always thanks the Father. But, this time He says it out loud for the peoples sake, so they will believe that the Father had sent Him. "They knew that the Messiah was coming, but they were still not sure that this man was Him." (1 John 4:14). Here they have seen that God has sent a Savior to the world; spoken of in the Old Testament Psalms 22, and Zechariah 9:9-10. (But, would they believe He was the savior they were looking for)?
Joh 11:43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. Then Jesus shouted, "Lazarus, come out!" Notice that Jesus called Lazarus by name. If He hadn't, perhaps others that were buried there would have come out also. (Talk about night of the living dead).
Joh 11:44 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. Lazarus comes walking out with his hands and feet bound in grave-cloths and his face was wrapped in a head-cloth. (It is sufficient to observe, that he who could raise Lazarus from the dead, could, with a much less exertion of power, have so loosened or removed the bandages of his feet and legs as to have rendered it practicable for him to come forth). Not only was Lazarus restored to life, but also to health, as appears from the promptness of response of his motion. (This would constitute a new miracle).
Joh 11:45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. Many of the people who were with Mary believed in Jesus now that they saw what happened. (Now many believed He was the messiah).
Joh 11:46 But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done. Thus there was a great increase of disciples, which alarmed the rulers. Why? They didn't want their toes stepped on either. (These are the ones who did not want to follow Jesus, for fear of the Pharisees that would expel them from the synagogue). You will find even today that when you teach truth and pull people from other churches and denominations that they will not be very happy with you.
Joh 11:47 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. Here comes the chief priests (the Sadducees), and (Pharisees), calling the high council together to decide what they should do with Jesus who performed these miracles. It was the Sanhedrin who made up the supreme national court. It consisted of seventy-one members, originating, according to the Rabbis, with seventy elders, with Moses at their head. (Numbers 11:24). It's sitting were held in the "stone chamber" in the temple precincts.
Joh 11:48 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. They were afraid that if they did nothing about it, that soon everyone would believe in Him and not their teachings. They were also worried about the Roman army coming to destroy their Temple and nation if they lost their influence and power towards the people. You see, the Sadducees and Pharisees rarely agreed on anything. But here they were going to join forces to oppose Jesus. (Kind of like the Republicans and Democrats deciding to vote for the same thing). Even though the Romans ruled over the nation, they left many things up to the Sanhedrin. (The ruling Jewish council).
Joh 11:49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, Caiaphas, the high priest at the time, said, "You don't know what your talking about." (Caiaphas had a better plan; or could it have been God's plan)?
Joh 11:50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. Caiaphas goes on to say; "Don't you realize that it's better for you that one man should die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed."
Joh 11:51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; The Jews regarded any official utterance of the High Priest as inspired. Here Caiaphas was used by God, as Balaam was (Numbers 22:38, Acts 2:23, Acts 4:27-28).
Joh 11:52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. Not only for that nation, but to bring together and unite all the children of God scattered around the world. (Ezekiel 11:16-17, Ezekiel 34:12, Ephesians 2:14-17, James 1:1, 1 Peter 1:1). i.e. Jesus would not die only for the Jews, but for the whole world. (Jews and Gentiles alike).
Joh 11:53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death. So, from that time on, the Jewish leaders began to plot the death of Jesus. This raising Lazarus form the dead was really over the top for the Jewish leaders, and they did not like it. How could they compete with something like this? (To keep their influence and power over the people, their choice was to kill Jesus).
Joh 11:54 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. From this point on, Jesus stopped His public ministry with the people and left Jerusalem. He went to the wilderness, to a village of Ephraim (meaning double fruitfulness), about 12 miles north of Jerusalem). There He would spend the rest of His time with the disciples, and not the crowds. Note: Ephraim was also the name of one of the Tribes of Israel. The tribe of Manasseh, together with Ephraim, formed the "House of Joseph." Also note: Many scholars believe that Ephraim represents (Great Britain), and Manasseh represents (the United States).
Joh 11:55 And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves. Almost time for the Jewish Passover celebration. Many people arrived in Jerusalem from all over the country several days early to go through the purification ceremony. (Exodus 12:11-14, Numbers 9:6).
Joh 11:56 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? The people were looking for Jesus (especially the Jewish leaders), but the people gossiped among each other. "He won't come to the Passover, will He?"
Joh 11:57 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. Meanwhile, the leading priests and Pharisees publically ordered that anyone who had seen Jesus must report it to them so they could arrest Him. You know what they really wanted. "They wanted to kill Him."
Keep the faith,
Barton
