The big picture
John 11 opens in verse 1 with “Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 29 with “As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.”, and closes in verse 57 with “Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man…” Repeated or prominent terms include Jesus, Jews, Lord, Martha, Mary. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
John · King James Version · 57John 11:1-8
1–8: A certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and…
John 11:1–8 opens with “Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.” and reaches “His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Martha meeting Jesus outside Bethany, Jesus weeping, and Lazarus emerging from the opened tomb, with particular weight carried by sick, Lazarus, disciples.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.” Naming Bethany and Lazarus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
John 11:1-8
King James Version1Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
2(It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
3Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
4When 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.
5Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
6When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.
7Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judæa again.
8His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?
John 11:9-16
9–16: Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk…
John 11:9–16 opens with “Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth…” and reaches “Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Martha meeting Jesus outside Bethany, Jesus weeping, and Lazarus emerging from the opened tomb, with particular weight carried by Jesus, sleep, Lazarus.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.
John 11:9-16
King James Version9Jesus 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.
10But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.
11These 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.
12Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
13Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
14Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
15And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
16Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
John 11:17-24
17–24: When Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days…
John 11:17–24 opens with “Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.” and reaches “Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Martha meeting Jesus outside Bethany, Jesus weeping, and Lazarus emerging from the opened tomb, with particular weight carried by Jesus, Martha, brother.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.” The number four makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.
John 11:17-24
King James Version17Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.
18Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:
19And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
20Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
21Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
22But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
23Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
24Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
John 11:25-32
25–32: Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that…
John 11:25–32 opens with “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he…” and reaches “Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Martha meeting Jesus outside Bethany, Jesus weeping, and Lazarus emerging from the opened tomb, with particular weight carried by Jesus, Mary, believeth.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.” Naming Christ keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
John 11:25-32
King James Version25Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
26And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
27She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
28And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.
29As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.
30Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.
31The 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.
32Then 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.
John 11:33-40
33–40: When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which…
John 11:33–40 opens with “When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned…” and reaches “Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Martha meeting Jesus outside Bethany, Jesus weeping, and Lazarus emerging from the opened tomb, with particular weight carried by Jesus, dead, Jews.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 3 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was…” Naming Jesus and Jews keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
John 11:33-40
King James Version33When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,
34And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
35Jesus wept.
36Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!
37And 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?
38Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
39Jesus 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.
40Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
John 11:41-48
41–48: They took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And…
John 11:41–48 opens with “Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his…” and reaches “If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Martha meeting Jesus outside Bethany, Jesus weeping, and Lazarus emerging from the opened tomb, with particular weight carried by Jesus, believe, bound.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father…” Naming Father and Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.” Naming Lazarus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
John 11:41-48
King James Version41Then 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.
42And 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.
43And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
44And 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.
45Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
46But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.
47Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.
48If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.
John 11:49-56
49–56: One of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said…
John 11:49–56 opens with “And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know…” and reaches “Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Martha meeting Jesus outside Bethany, Jesus weeping, and Lazarus emerging from the opened tomb, with particular weight carried by Jesus, nation, country.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.
“And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that…” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
John 11:49-56
King James Version49And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,
50Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
51And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;
52And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
53Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.
54Jesus 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.
55And the Jews’ passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.
56Then 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?
John 11:57
57: Both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that…
John 11:57 consists of one verse: “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…” Its surrounding paragraph or narrative determines how that sentence contributes to the larger concern with Martha meeting Jesus outside Bethany, Jesus weeping, and Lazarus emerging from the opened tomb.
John 11:57
King James Version57Now 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.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
John 11:1 begins with “Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.”
Where the chapter turns
John 11:30 forms a natural hinge: “Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.”
The final note
John 11:57 leaves the reader with “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.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words Jesus, Jews, Lord, Martha, Mary, dead help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
How will Abram's story answer Babel?
The builders seek to make their own name; God promises to make Abram's name great and to bless other families through him.
What obstacles frame the coming promise?
The family has not reached Canaan, and Sarai has no child.
KJV words made clear
- behold
- look, or pay close attention
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.
