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John 11

Lazarus dies. Mary and Martha are grief-stricken. Jesus arrives and weeps at the tomb. Then he calls Lazarus out. The most powerful sign yet — and it triggers the decision to have him killed.

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Lazarus falls ill and dies

Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) So the sisters sent word to Jesus, Lord, the one you love is sick. When he heard this, Jesus said, This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it. Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, and then he said to his disciples, Let us go back to Judea. But Rabbi, they said, a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back? Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world's light. It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light. After he had said this, he went on to tell them, Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up. His disciples replied, Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better. Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. So then he told them plainly, Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him. Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was less than three kilometres from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. Lord, Martha said to Jesus, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask. Jesus said to her, Your brother will rise again. Martha answered, I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this? Yes, Lord, she replied, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.

1

Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.

King James Version, 1611

Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.

2

(This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.)

King James Version, 1611

(It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)

3

So the sisters sent word to Jesus, Lord, the one you love is sick.

King James Version, 1611

Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.

4

When he heard this, Jesus said, This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it.

King James Version, 1611

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.

5

Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.

King James Version, 1611

Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.

6

So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days,

King James Version, 1611

When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.

7

and then he said to his disciples, Let us go back to Judea.

King James Version, 1611

Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.

8

But Rabbi, they said, a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?

King James Version, 1611

His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?

9

Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world's light.

King James Version, 1611

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.

10

It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.

King James Version, 1611

But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.

11

After he had said this, he went on to tell them, Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.

King James Version, 1611

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.

12

His disciples replied, Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.

King James Version, 1611

Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.

13

Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.

King James Version, 1611

Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.

14

So then he told them plainly, Lazarus is dead,

King James Version, 1611

Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.

15

and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.

King James Version, 1611

And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.

16

Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

King James Version, 1611

Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

17

On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.

King James Version, 1611

Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.

18

Now Bethany was less than three kilometres from Jerusalem,

King James Version, 1611

Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:

19

and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother.

King James Version, 1611

And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

20

When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

King James Version, 1611

Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.

21

Lord, Martha said to Jesus, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.

King James Version, 1611

Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

22

But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.

King James Version, 1611

But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.

23

Jesus said to her, Your brother will rise again.

King James Version, 1611

Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.

24

Martha answered, I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

King James Version, 1611

Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

25

Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;

King James Version, 1611

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

26

and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?

King James Version, 1611

And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

27

Yes, Lord, she replied, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.

King James Version, 1611

She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

Jesus at the tomb

After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. The Teacher is here, she said, and is asking for you. When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. Where have you laid him? he asked. Come and see, Lord, they replied. Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, See how he loved him. But some of them said, Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying? Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. Take away the stone, he said. But, Lord, said Martha, the sister of the dead man, by this time there is a bad odour, for he has been there four days. Then Jesus said, Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God? So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me. When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, Lazarus, come out. The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, Take off the grave clothes and let him go.

28

After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. The Teacher is here, she said, and is asking for you.

King James Version, 1611

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.

29

When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him.

King James Version, 1611

As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.

30

Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him.

King James Version, 1611

Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.

31

When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.

King James Version, 1611

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.

32

When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.

King James Version, 1611

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.

33

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.

King James Version, 1611

When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,

34

Where have you laid him? he asked. Come and see, Lord, they replied.

King James Version, 1611

And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.

35

Jesus wept.

King James Version, 1611

Jesus wept.

36

Then the Jews said, See how he loved him.

King James Version, 1611

Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

37

But some of them said, Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?

King James Version, 1611

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?

38

Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance.

King James Version, 1611

Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.

39

Take away the stone, he said. But, Lord, said Martha, the sister of the dead man, by this time there is a bad odour, for he has been there four days.

King James Version, 1611

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.

40

Then Jesus said, Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?

King James Version, 1611

Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

41

So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, Father, I thank you that you have heard me.

King James Version, 1611

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.

42

I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.

King James Version, 1611

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.

43

When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, Lazarus, come out.

King James Version, 1611

And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

44

The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, Take off the grave clothes and let him go.

King James Version, 1611

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.

The plot against Jesus

Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. What are we accomplishing? they asked. Here is this man performing many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation. Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, You know nothing at all. You do not realise that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish. He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. So from that day on they plotted to take his life. Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the people of Judea. Instead he withdrew to a region near the wilderness, to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples. When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover. They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple courts they asked one another, What do you think? Isn't he coming to the festival at all? But the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who found out where Jesus was should report it so that they might arrest him.

45

Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him.

King James Version, 1611

Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.

46

But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.

King James Version, 1611

But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.

47

Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. What are we accomplishing? they asked. Here is this man performing many signs.

King James Version, 1611

Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.

48

If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.

King James Version, 1611

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.

49

Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, You know nothing at all.

King James Version, 1611

And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,

50

You do not realise that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.

King James Version, 1611

Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.

51

He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation,

King James Version, 1611

And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;

52

and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one.

King James Version, 1611

And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.

53

So from that day on they plotted to take his life.

King James Version, 1611

Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.

54

Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the people of Judea. Instead he withdrew to a region near the wilderness, to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples.

King James Version, 1611

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.

55

When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover.

King James Version, 1611

And the Jews’ passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.

56

They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple courts they asked one another, What do you think? Isn't he coming to the festival at all?

King James Version, 1611

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?

57

But the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who found out where Jesus was should report it so that they might arrest him.

King James Version, 1611

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.