John 11:1–16:
Lazarus’s Sickness and Jesus’ Purpose

The Correct Interpretation of John 11:1–16

The account introduces the sickness of Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary, and prepares for one of the most important signs in the Gospel. From the beginning, Jesus declares that what is happening will manifest the glory of God and that the Son of God may be glorified through it. Although He deeply loves this family, He does not leave immediately for Bethany, but remains where He is for two more days. When He finally decides to return to Judea, His disciples remember the recent danger, but Jesus moves forward according to the timing and the work the Father has given Him.

(vv. 1–3)
«1 Now a certain man, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha, was sick. 2 (It was the Mary who [later] anointed the Lord with myrrh and wiped His feet with her hair whose brother Lazarus was sick.) 3 So the sisters sent to Him saying, “Lord, please, the one you love is sick!”»

John introduces Lazarus through his relationship with Martha and Mary and places the family in Bethany.

He also identifies Mary in advance by the anointing that he will narrate later in John 12:1–8. This helps the reader recognize which Mary he means.

The sisters do not make an explicit request; they simply inform Jesus:

“the one you love is sick!”

The statement shows the close relationship between Jesus and Lazarus and leaves the situation in His hands.

(v. 4)
«Upon hearing it Jesus said, “This sickness is not unto death but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”»

This declaration sets the direction for everything that follows.

When Jesus says:

“This sickness is not unto death”

He does not mean that Lazarus will not physically die. In fact, shortly afterward Jesus will say plainly:

“Lazarus died.” (v.14).

The meaning is that death will not be the final outcome of this sickness.

Its purpose within what Jesus is about to do will be:

“the glory of God”

and, inseparably from it,

“so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

Therefore, the sign that follows will not merely benefit Lazarus; it will reveal who Jesus is and manifest the glory of God through the Son.

(vv. 5–6)
«5 (Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.) 6 So, when He heard that he was sick He stayed where He was two more days!»

John explicitly states that Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus.

This makes what follows especially striking:

“So”, when He heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was two more days.

The delay must not be interpreted as a lack of love or indifference. John deliberately places the two statements together: Jesus loves them and, precisely within that love and the purpose He has just announced, He does not leave immediately.

His action is not determined simply by the urgency of the situation, but by what He knows He is going to accomplish for the glory of God.

(vv. 7–8)
«7 Then after this He says to the disciples, “Let us go into Judea again.” 8 The disciples say to Him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now trying to stone you, and you are going back there?”»

After the two days, Jesus decides to return to Judea.

The disciples immediately remember the recent danger. In John 10:31 and John 10:39, His opponents had tried to stone and seize Him.

That is why His decision seems dangerous to them:

“and you are going back there?”

The tension in the account is no longer limited to Lazarus’s sickness. Returning to Judea also means going back to the place where hostility toward Jesus has intensified.

(vv. 9–10)
«9 Jesus answered: “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks during the day he doesn’t stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if anyone walks in the night he does stumble, because the light is not in him.”»

Jesus responds with the imagery of day and night.

During the day there is an appointed period in which one can walk without stumbling because there is light. Night comes afterward.

Applied to His situation, Jesus knows that there is an appointed time for accomplishing the work before Him, and He will not stop acting out of fear before that time has ended.

This recalls John 9:4, where Jesus had said that He must accomplish the works of the One who sent Him “while it is day”.

Therefore, His return to Judea is not recklessness. Jesus continues moving forward within the timing of His mission.

(vv. 11–13)
«11 Having said these things He says to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going in order to awaken him.” 12 His disciples said to Him, “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will get well.” 13 But Jesus had spoken of his death, while they thought He was talking about natural sleep.»

Jesus now speaks of Lazarus using the imagery of sleep:

“Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep.”

The metaphor refers to his death, as John explicitly explains in verse 13.

But Jesus adds:

“I am going in order to awaken him.”

In light of what He is about to do, the imagery is especially fitting: for Jesus, Lazarus’s death will not be irreversible.

The disciples, however, understand “fallen asleep” literally and assume that Lazarus is recovering.

John clarifies their misunderstanding to prepare for Jesus’ direct explanation.

(vv. 14–15)
«14 So then Jesus said to them plainly: “Lazarus died. 15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”»

Jesus removes any ambiguity:

“Lazarus died.”

Then He says something surprising:

“I am glad for your sakes that I was not there.”

Jesus is not glad about Lazarus’s death or the family’s grief. He is glad because of what the disciples will come to witness and the effect it will have on them:

“so that you may believe.”

The disciples already believe in Jesus, so here “so that you may believe” does not necessarily mean beginning to believe for the first time. The sign they are about to witness will serve to strengthen them as they continue believing in Him.

This fits the broader purpose of the signs in John: to reveal who Jesus is and lead to a fuller understanding of His identity.

(v. 16)
«Then Thomas (called Twin) said to his fellow disciples, “Let us go too, so that we may die with Him.”»

Thomas understands the danger involved in returning to Judea.

His response shows that he recognizes the possibility that Jesus will be killed and that they too may die with Him:

“Let’s us go too, so that we may die with Him.”

This also prepares the atmosphere of danger that will continue to grow as Jesus draws nearer to Jerusalem.

Implications

• Lazarus’s death will not be the final outcome of his sickness: Jesus declares from the beginning that the situation will serve to manifest the glory of God.
• The glory of God is manifested through the Son: Jesus declares that He Himself will be glorified through what is about to happen.
• Jesus’ love is not disproved by His delay: John explicitly states that He loves the family before recounting that He remains two more days.
• Jesus acts according to the timing of His mission: the danger in Judea does not prevent Him from accomplishing the work before Him.
• Lazarus’s death will serve to strengthen the disciples as they believe: the sign they are about to witness will reveal more about Jesus.
• Jesus knowingly moves toward danger: returning to Judea forms part of the path that will ultimately lead toward His own death.

Applications

• Do not automatically interpret a delay as an absence of love: in this account, Jesus loves the family even though He does not respond as immediately as they might expect.
• Trust Jesus’ words even before you fully understand what He will do: from the beginning He knows where the situation is leading.
• Do not allow fear of danger to turn you away from obedience: Jesus continues His mission even though He knows the opposition He will encounter.
• Allow Christ’s works to deepen your confidence in Him: Jesus says that what is about to happen will strengthen His disciples as they continue believing.
• Follow Jesus even when you do not fully understand the path: the disciples return with Him to Judea without yet knowing what He is going to do.

Summary

In John 11:1–16, Jesus receives news that Lazarus is sick and declares from the beginning that the situation will manifest the glory of God and that the Son of God may be glorified through it. Although He loves Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, He remains where He is for two more days before deciding to return to Judea. When the disciples remind Him of the danger, Jesus explains through the imagery of day and night that He will continue accomplishing the work before Him within the timing of His mission. Finally, He reveals that Lazarus has died and says that what has happened will serve to strengthen the disciples as they believe. Thus, the account prepares both for the manifestation of Jesus’ glory and for the growing danger He will face upon returning to Judea.

Prayer

Our Father, we thank You that Jesus Christ fully knows what we cannot understand and that all His work manifests Your glory.

Help us trust Your love even when we do not immediately understand what You are allowing or how You are going to work.

Give us confidence to listen to Christ’s words, follow Him faithfully, and allow what He reveals to strengthen us as we continue believing.

Keep us from judging circumstances too quickly, and teach us to look to Your Son, in whom You have manifested Your glory.

We ask this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.