John 11:11-14 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 11:1-16

We have in these verses, I. A particular account of the parties principally concerned in this story, John 11:1, 2. 1. They lived at Bethany, a village nor far from Jerusalem, where Christ usually lodged when he came up to the feasts. It is here called the town of Mary and Martha, that is, the town where they dwelt, as Bethsaida is called the city of Andrew and Peter, John 1:44. For I see no reason to think, as some do, that Martha and Mary were owners of the town, and the rest were their... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 11:1-44

We have tried to expound the raising of Lazarus simply as the story stands written. But we can not evade the fact that of all the miracles of Jesus this presents the greatest problem. Let us honestly face the difficulties. (i) In the other three gospels there are accounts of people being raised from the dead. There is the story of the raising of Jairus' daughter ( Matthew 9:18-26 ; Mark 5:21-43 ; Luke 8:40-56 ). There is the story of the raising of the widow's son at Nain ( Luke... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 11:11-16

11:11-16 Jesus said these things, and then he went on to say: "Our friend Lazarus is sleeping; but I am going to waken him up." "Lord," the disciples said to him, "if he is sleeping he will recover." But Jesus had spoken about his death. They thought that he was speaking about the sleep of natural sleep. So Jesus then said to them plainly: "Lazarus has died, and, for your sakes, I am glad that I was not there, because it is all designed in order that you may come to believe. But let us go to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 11:11

These things said he ,.... In answer to his disciples, and made a pause. And after that he saith unto them, our friend Lazarus sleepeth ; meaning, that he was dead; in which sense the word is often used in the Old Testament, and in the common dialect of the Jews, and frequently in their writings; and especially it is so used of good men: and it is an observation of theirs F2 Gloss in T. Hieros. Celaim in En Yaacob, fol. 4. 4. , that "it is usual to say of the righteous, that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 11:12

Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep ,.... Soundly, quietly, and comfortably, and takes rest in it: he shall do well ; or "be saved" from the disease; he will be delivered from it; he will recover out of it; it is a sign the distemper is leaving him, and he is growing better, and will be restored to his health again: the Ethiopic version renders it by many words, "he will be well", and "will awake", and "will live". Sound sleep is a sign of health. This they said to, put off their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 11:13

Howbeit Jesus spake of his death ,.... Under the figurative phrase of sleeping: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep ; in a literal and natural sense. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 11:14

Then said Jesus unto them plainly ,.... Without a figure, when he perceived they did not understand him, and yet it was a very easy and usual metaphor which he had made use of; but such was the present stupidity of their minds, that they did not take in his meaning: wherefore, without reproaching them with it, he said to them in so many words, Lazarus is dead . The Persic version reads, "Lazarus is dead indeed", as he really was. read more

Adam Clarke

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

Lazarus sleepeth - It was very common among the Jews to express death by sleep; and the expression, falling asleep - sleeping with their fathers, etc., were in great use among them. The Hebrews probably used this form of speech to signify their belief in the immortality of the soul, and the resurrection of the body. It is certain that our Lord received no intimation of Lazarus's death from any person, and that he knew it through that power by which he knows all things. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 11:12

If he sleep, he shall do well - That is, if he sleep only, etc. Though the word sleep frequently meant death, (see Acts 7:60 ; 1 Corinthians 11:30 ; 1 Corinthians 15:18 , 1 Corinthians 15:20 ;), yet, as it was an ambiguous term, the disciples appear here to have mistaken its meaning. Because, in certain acute disorders, the composing the patient to rest was a favorable sign; therefore the words, If he sleep, he shall do well, or recover, became a proverbial forth of speech among the... read more

John Calvin

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

Verse 11 11.Our friend Lazarus sleepeth. Having formerly asserted that the disease was not deadly, that his disciples may not be too much distressed at seeing what they did not expect, he now informs them also that Lazarus is dead, and excites a hope of his resurrection. It is a proof of amazing ignorance, that they believe that Christ spoke about sleep; for, though it is a metaphorical form of expression, still it is so frequent and common in Scripture, that it ought to have been familiarly... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 11:1-16

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 11:1-44

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 11:11-16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 11:11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 11:12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 11:13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 11:14

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 11:12

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

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