John 11:40-42

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 11:42

Verse 42 42.And I knew that thou hearest me always. This is an anticipation, lest any one should think that he did not stand so high in favor with the Father, as to be able easily to perform as many miracles as he chose. He means, therefore, that there is so great an agreement between him and the Father, that the Father refuses him nothing; and even that he had no need to pray, because he only executed what he knew that the Father had enjoined; but in order that men may be more fully assured... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:1-57

7. Christ the Antagonist of death—a victory of love and power . The narrative of this chapter is a further advance in the proof that the unbelief of the Jews was aggravated by the greatness of the revelation. The issue of his sublime and culminating act of power, of his supreme and self-revealing work of transcendent tenderness and beauty, was a deeper and wilder passion of hatred. The evangelist completes his series of seven great miracles with one that in true and believing minds,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:33-44

(3) The struggle with death . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:38-44

The miracle. There is a fresh struggle in the soul of Jesus, perhaps caused by the malicious observations of the Jews. I. JESUS COMMANDS THE STONE TO BE ROLLED AWAY FROM THE SEPULCHER . "Take ye away the stone." 1. This command suggests that where human power is sufficient, Divine power will not be put forth . A word from Jesus could have taken away the stone as easily as a word raised Lazarus to life. The action of Jesus suggests the economy of miracle so... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:40

Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou believedst, thou shouldst see the glory of God? This was a probable reference to the language of John 11:4 , and also to the teaching of John 11:25 , John 11:26 , where our Lord had encouraged her imperfect faith in himself to become a veritable vision of Divine glory. Out of the deepest humiliation comes the highest glory, The putrefaction of the grave is a stepping-stone to his throne. More is meant than the physical... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:40

The vision of the Divine glory. "Jesus said unto Martha, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?" When Lazarus of Bethany fell sick, his sisters sent a messenger beyond Jordan to carry the tidings to Jesus. Our Lord's reply was to the following effect: "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God," etc. We cannot doubt that these words, or the substance of them, was conveyed by the messenger to Martha and Mary, and yet,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:41

Then they took away the stone [ £ from the place where the dead was laid]. They lifted the stone, and Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven . This is not to be taken as an ordinary prayer, but a thanksgiving for prayer already heard. "Jesus lifted up his eyes," i . e . to heaven—to that sublime symbol of the infinite activity of God, which surrounds us day and night, and which is in numerous religious systems made a type and image of the Divine Being himself; nor does our modern... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:42

And I knew that thou hearest me always, but because of the multitude which standeth around I said it, that they may believe that thou didst send me. This great utterance declares all the intimate relation which subsists between the Father of all and the Son in Jesus. A continuous absolute communion is ever going on between heaven and earth in the heart of Jesus. His consciousness of the Father is a door opened in heaven. Alas! these words have been a stumbling-block to many; have suggested... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 11:40

Said I not unto thee - This was implied in what he had said about the resurrection of her brother, John 11:23-25. There would be a manifestation of the glory of God in raising him up which she would be permitted, with all others, to behold.The glory of God - The power and goodness displayed in the resurrection. It is probable that Martha did not really expect that Jesus would raise him up, but supposed that he went there merely to see the corpse. Hence, when he directed them to take away the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 11:41

Lifted up his eyes - In an attitude of prayer. See Luke 18:13; Matthew 14:19.I thank thee that thou hast heard me - It is possible that John has recorded only the sum or substance of the prayer on this occasion. The thanks which Jesus renders here are evidently in view of the fact that power had been committed to him to raise up Lazarus. On account of the people, and the signal proof which would be furnished of the truth of his mission, he expressed his thanks to God. In all his actions, he... read more

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