John 11:38-44 NIV

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 11:38

It was a cave, etc. - It is likely that several of the Jewish burying-places were made in the sides of rocks; some were probably dug down like a well from the upper surface, and then hollowed under into niches, and a flat stone, laid down upon the top, would serve for a door. Yet, from what the evangelist says, there seems to have been something peculiar in the formation of this tomb. It might have been a natural grotto, or dug in the side of a rock or hill, and the lower part of the door... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 11:39

Take ye away the stone - He desired to convince all those who were at the place, and especially those who took away the stone, that Lazarus was not only dead, but that putrescency had already taken place, that it might not be afterwards said that Lazarus had only fallen into a lethargy; but that the greatness of the miracle might be fully evinced. He stinketh - The body is in a state of putrefaction. The Greek word οζω signifies simply to smell, whether the scent be good or bad; but... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 11:40

If thou wouldest believe, etc. - So it appears that it is faith alone that interests the miraculous and saving power of God in behalf of men. Instead of δοξαν , the glory, one MS. reads δυναμιν , the miraculous power. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 11:41

Where the dead was laid - These words are wanting in BC*DL, three others; Syriac, Persic, Arabic, Sahidic, Ethiopic, Armenian, Vulgate, Saxon, and in all the Itala. Griesbach leaves them out of the text. Father, I thank thee - As it was a common opinion that great miracles might be wrought by the power and in the name of the devil, Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven, and invoked the supreme God before these unbelieving Jews, that they might see that it was by his power, and by his only,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 11:43

He cried with a loud voice - In John 5:25 , our Lord had said, that the time was coming, in which the dead should hear the voice of the Son of God, and live. He now fulfils that prediction, and cries aloud, that the people may take notice, and see that even death is subject to the sovereign command of Christ. Jesus Christ, says Quesnel, omitted nothing to save this dead person: he underwent the fatigue of a journey, he wept, he prayed, he groaned, he cried with a loud voice, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 11:44

Bound hand and foot with grave-clothes - Swathed about with rollers - κειριαις , from κειρω , I cut. These were long slips of linen a few inches in breadth, with which the body and limbs of the dead were swathed, and especially those who were embalmed, that the aromatics might be kept in contact with the flesh. But as it is evident that Lazarus had not been embalmed, it is probable that his limbs were not swathed together, as is the constant case with those who are embalmed, but... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 11:38

Verse 38 38.Jesus therefore again groaning within himself. Christ does not approach the sepulcher as an idle spectator, but as a champion who prepares for a contest; and therefore we need not wonder that he again groans; for the violent tyranny of death, which he had to conquer, is placed before his eyes. Some explain this groan to have arisen from indignation, because he was offended at that unbelief of which we have spoken. But another reason appears to me far more appropriate, namely, that... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 11:39

Verse 39 39.Lord, he already stinketh. This is an indication of distrust, for she promises herself less from the power of Christ than she ought to have done. The root of the evil consists in measuring the infinite and incomprehensible power of God by the perception of her flesh. There being nothing more inconsistent with life than putrefaction and offensive smell, Martha infers that no remedy can be found. Thus, when our minds are preoccupied by foolish thoughts, we banish God from us, if we... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 11:40

Verse 40 40.Did not I tell thee? He reproves Martha’s distrust, in not forming a hope sufficiently vigorous from the promise which she had heard. It is evident from this passage, that something more was said to Martha than John has literally related; though, as I have suggested, this very thing was meant by Christ, when he called himself the resurrection and the life Martha is therefore blamed for not expecting some Divine work. If thou believe. This is said, not only because faith opens our... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 11:41

Verse 41 41.And Jesus again raised his eyes. This was the token of a mind truly prepared for prayer; for before any one calls on God aright, he must be brought into communication with him, and this can only be done when, raised above the earth, he ascends even to heaven. True, this is not done by the eyes; for hypocrites, who are plunged in the deep filth of their flesh, appear to draw down heaven to them by their stern aspect; but what they only pretend to do must be sincerely accomplished by... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 11:38

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 11:39

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 11:40

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 11:41

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 11:43

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 11:44

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 11:38

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 11:39

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 11:40

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 11:41

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