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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 11:13 They thought that Jesus was talking about actual sleep, but He was speaking about the death of Lazarus.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/11-13.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/43_Jhn_11_13.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 11:13 - The Death of Lazarus" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="They thought that Jesus was talking about actual sleep, but He was speaking about the death of Lazarus." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad13.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/john/11-12.htm" title="John 11:12">◄</a> John 11:13 <a href="/john/11-14.htm" title="John 11:14">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/john/11.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/john/11.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/john/11.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />They thought Jesus meant Lazarus was simply sleeping, but Jesus meant Lazarus had died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/john/11.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/john/11.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />They thought that Jesus was talking about actual sleep, but He was speaking about the death of Lazarus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He speaks of the rest of sleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/john/11.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/john/11.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/john/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about actual sleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/john/11.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was speaking of literal sleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/john/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was speaking of literal sleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/john/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was speaking of actual sleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/john/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />However, Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was referring to natural sleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/john/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Jesus, however, was speaking about his death, but they thought he was speaking about natural sleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/john/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Jesus, however, was speaking about his death, but they thought He was speaking about natural sleep. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/john/11.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Now Jesus had spoken of his death: but they thought that he spake of taking rest in sleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/john/11.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Jesus really meant that Lazarus was dead, but they thought he was talking only about sleep. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/john/11.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Now Jesus had spoken of his death: but they thought that he spake of taking rest in sleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/john/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Jesus meant that Lazarus was dead, but the disciples thought Jesus meant that Lazarus was only sleeping.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/john/11.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Jesus meant that Lazarus had died, but they thought he meant natural sleep. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/john/11.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Jesus, however, had been speaking about his death, but they thought that he was speaking about resting or sleeping.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/john/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />They thought that Jesus was talking about actual sleep, but He was speaking about the death of Lazarus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/john/11.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />(Now Jesus had been talking about his death, but they thought he had been talking about real sleep.) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/john/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he spoke of taking rest in sleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/john/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Now Jesus spoke of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking rest in sleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought He referred to the rest taken in ordinary sleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/john/11.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he spoke of taking rest in sleep. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/john/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />but Jesus had spoken about his death, but they thought that He speaks about the repose of sleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He speaks of the rest of sleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/john/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> but Jesus had spoken about his death, but they thought that about the repose of sleep he speaketh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/john/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Jesus spake of his death: but these supposed that he speaks of the repose of sleep.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/john/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But Jesus spoke of his death; and they thought that he spoke of the repose of sleep. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/john/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But Jesus had spoken about his death. Yet they thought that he spoke about the repose of sleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/john/11.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But Jesus was talking about his death, while they thought that he meant ordinary sleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/john/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Jesus, however, had been speaking about his death, but they thought that he was referring merely to sleep.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/john/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But Jesus spoke of his death; and they thought that what he said was sleeping in bed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/11.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />But Yeshua spoke about his death, and they had thought that he had been talking about lying down, taking sleep.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/john/11.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Jesus spoke of his death; but they thought that he spoke of taking rest in sleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/john/11.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />But Jesus spoke concerning his death: and they thought that He spoke concerning the rest of sleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/john/11.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Now Jesus had spoken of his death: but they apprehended that he spake of taking rest in sleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/john/11.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />though Jesus meant it of Lazarus's death: but they understood it of the natural rest in sleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought He referred to the rest taken in ordinary sleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/john/11.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />Now Jesus had spoken concerning his death; but they thought He spake of taking rest in sleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/john/11.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />But Jesus spake of his death; though they thought that He was speaking of the refreshment of sleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/john/11-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=3951" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/john/11.htm">The Death of Lazarus</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">12</span>His disciples replied, “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will get better.” <span class="reftext">13</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/1565.htm" title="1565: ekeinoi (DPro-NMP) -- That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.">They</a> <a href="/greek/1380.htm" title="1380: edoxan (V-AIA-3P) -- A prolonged form of a primary verb, doko dok'-o of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem.">thought</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">that</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legei (V-PIA-3S) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">Jesus was talking</a> <a href="/greek/4012.htm" title="4012: peri (Prep) -- From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.">about</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2838.htm" title="2838: koimēseōs (N-GFS) -- Repose, taking rest, sleep. From koimao; sleeping, i.e. repose.">actual sleep,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5258.htm" title="5258: hypnou (N-GMS) -- Sleep; fig: spiritual sleep. From an obsolete primary; sleep, i.e. spiritual torpor."></a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">but</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2424.htm" title="2424: Iēsous (N-NMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.">He</a> <a href="/greek/2046.htm" title="2046: eirēkei (V-LIA-3S) -- Probably a fuller form of rheo; an alternate for epo in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. Speak or say.">was speaking</a> <a href="/greek/4012.htm" title="4012: peri (Prep) -- From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.">about</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2288.htm" title="2288: thanatou (N-GMS) -- Death, physical or spiritual. From thnesko; death.">death</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">of Lazarus.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">14</span>So Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/11-11.htm">John 11:11-12</a></span><br />After He had said this, He told them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to wake him up.” / His disciples replied, “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will get better.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/14-1.htm">John 14:1-3</a></span><br />“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe in Me as well. / In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? / And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/5-28.htm">John 5:28-29</a></span><br />Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice / and come out—those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/4-13.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:13-14</a></span><br />Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope. / For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/9-24.htm">Matthew 9:24</a></span><br />“Go away,” He told them. “The girl is not dead, but asleep.” And they laughed at Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/5-39.htm">Mark 5:39</a></span><br />He went inside and asked, “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead, but asleep.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/8-52.htm">Luke 8:52-53</a></span><br />Meanwhile, everyone was weeping and mourning for her. But Jesus said, “Stop weeping; she is not dead but asleep.” / And they laughed at Him, knowing that she was dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/12-2.htm">Daniel 12:2</a></span><br />And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-20.htm">1 Corinthians 15:20-22</a></span><br />But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. / For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. / For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-60.htm">Acts 7:60</a></span><br />Falling on his knees, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/2-10.htm">1 Kings 2:10</a></span><br />Then David rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/7-12.htm">2 Samuel 7:12</a></span><br />And when your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/14-12.htm">Job 14:12</a></span><br />so a man lies down and does not rise. Until the heavens are no more, he will not be awakened or roused from sleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/13-3.htm">Psalm 13:3</a></span><br />Consider me and respond, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/26-19.htm">Isaiah 26:19</a></span><br />Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust! For your dew is like the dew of the morning, and the earth will bring forth her dead.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">However, Jesus spoke of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/11-4.htm">Death</a> <a href="/john/11-12.htm">Disciples</a> <a href="/john/8-26.htm">Howbeit</a> <a href="/john/11-6.htm">However</a> <a href="/john/5-13.htm">Idea</a> <a href="/john/11-9.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/john/10-6.htm">Meant</a> <a href="/john/1-13.htm">Natural</a> <a href="/ezekiel/48-15.htm">Ordinary</a> <a href="/john/7-39.htm">Referred</a> <a href="/luke/12-19.htm">Repose</a> <a href="/john/11-11.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/john/11-12.htm">Sleep</a> <a href="/john/9-37.htm">Speaketh</a> <a href="/john/10-33.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/john/9-37.htm">Talking</a> <a href="/john/8-56.htm">Thought</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/11-19.htm">Death</a> <a href="/john/11-16.htm">Disciples</a> <a href="/john/16-13.htm">Howbeit</a> <a href="/john/11-20.htm">However</a> <a href="/john/18-34.htm">Idea</a> <a href="/john/11-14.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/john/13-22.htm">Meant</a> <a href="/romans/1-26.htm">Natural</a> <a href="/acts/7-20.htm">Ordinary</a> <a href="/galatians/3-19.htm">Referred</a> <a href="/acts/7-49.htm">Repose</a> <a href="/john/11-16.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/acts/10-10.htm">Sleep</a> <a href="/john/13-22.htm">Speaketh</a> <a href="/john/11-43.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/john/12-17.htm">Talking</a> <a href="/john/11-53.htm">Thought</a><div class="vheading2">John 11</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/11-1.htm">Jesus raises Lazarus, four days buried.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">45. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/11-45.htm">Many Jews believe.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">47. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/11-47.htm">The high priests and Pharisees gather a council against Jesus.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">49. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/11-49.htm">Caiaphas prophesies.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">54. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/11-54.htm">Jesus hides himself.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">55. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/11-55.htm">At the Passover they enquire after him, and lay wait for him.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/11.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/11.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>They thought that Jesus was talking about actual sleep</b><br>In the context of <a href="/john/11.htm">John 11</a>, Jesus' disciples misunderstood His reference to Lazarus' condition. The term "sleep" is often used metaphorically in Scripture to describe death, as seen in passages like <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-13.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:13-14</a> and <a href="/daniel/12-2.htm">Daniel 12:2</a>. This metaphor reflects the temporary nature of death for believers, suggesting a future awakening or resurrection. The disciples' misunderstanding highlights their limited grasp of Jesus' power over life and death, a theme that is central to the Gospel of John.<p><b>but He was speaking about the death of Lazarus</b><br>Jesus clarifies that Lazarus has died, emphasizing His divine knowledge and authority. This statement sets the stage for the miracle of raising Lazarus, which serves as a powerful sign of Jesus' identity as the "resurrection and the life" (<a href="/john/11-25.htm">John 11:25</a>). The event foreshadows Jesus' own resurrection and underscores His victory over death. It also fulfills the purpose of glorifying God and strengthening the faith of His followers, as seen in <a href="/john/11-4.htm">John 11:4</a>. This moment is pivotal in the narrative, demonstrating Jesus' compassion and His divine mission.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a></b><br>The central figure in this passage, Jesus is the Son of God who performs miracles and teaches profound truths. In this context, He is about to demonstrate His power over death.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/l/lazarus.htm">Lazarus</a></b><br>A friend of Jesus who has died. His death and subsequent resurrection serve as a powerful sign of Jesus' divine authority.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/d/disciples.htm">Disciples</a></b><br>Followers of Jesus who often misunderstand His teachings. Here, they misinterpret Jesus' metaphorical language about Lazarus' death.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/b/bethany.htm">Bethany</a></b><br>The village where Lazarus lived, located near Jerusalem. It is the setting for the miracle of Lazarus' resurrection.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/d/death_and_resurrection.htm">Death and Resurrection</a></b><br>The event of Lazarus' death and Jesus' intention to raise him from the dead, illustrating Jesus' power over life and death.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_jesus'_language.htm">Understanding Jesus' Language</a></b><br>Jesus often uses metaphorical language to convey deeper spiritual truths. As believers, we should seek to understand His words in their spiritual context.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_death_and_hope_in_christ.htm">The Reality of Death and Hope in Christ</a></b><br>While death is a physical reality, Jesus offers hope through His power over death. Believers can find comfort in the promise of resurrection and eternal life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_jesus'_power.htm">Faith in Jesus' Power</a></b><br>The raising of Lazarus is a testament to Jesus' divine authority. We are called to trust in His power and sovereignty, even in seemingly hopeless situations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_awakening.htm">Spiritual Awakening</a></b><br>Just as Jesus awakens Lazarus from physical death, He calls us to awaken from spiritual death. This involves living a life transformed by His grace and truth.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_11.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 11</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_was_jesus'_personality_like.htm">What were Jesus' characteristics and personality like?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_can't_law_alone_save_us.htm">Who was Thomas, called the Twin, in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_anyone_besides_jesus_ascend.htm">Apart from Jesus did anyone else ascend to heaven? No (John 3:13) Yes. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven (2 Kings 2:11)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_life_continue_after_death.htm">Does life continue after death?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/11.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(13) <span class= "bld">They thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.</span>--These words forbid the thought that they really understood that Lazarus was dead, but did not wish to seem to know it. Three of them, indeed, had heard our Lord apply the word "sleep" to death before (<a href="/matthew/9-24.htm" title="He said to them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleeps. And they laughed him to scorn.">Matthew 9:24</a>), but this instance of misunderstanding on their part takes its place with others of a like kind, as showing that the surface meaning of words was that which naturally suggested itself to them. (Comp. <a href="/context/matthew/16-6.htm" title="Then Jesus said to them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.">Matthew 16:6-12</a>, and <a href="/luke/22-38.htm" title="And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said to them, It is enough.">Luke 22:38</a>) It is not likely that all "the three" were present during this interview. If it took place at <span class= "ital">Tellanihje,</span> then the nearness of Bethsaida and <span class= "ital">the</span> other towns of Galilee may have led some of the Twelve to visit their old homes. (Comp. <a href="/john/1-28.htm" title="These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.">John 1:28</a>; <a href="/john/1-48.htm" title="Nathanael said to him, From where know you me? Jesus answered and said to him, Before that Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.">John 1:48</a> <span class= "ital">et seq.</span>) We can hardly imagine that Peter was present without taking a prominent part in the conversation, or that Thomas would have been in his presence the representative speaker (<a href="/john/11-16.htm" title="Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, to his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.">John 11:16</a>). His absence may be taken as one of the reasons why the account of the miracle which follows is absent from St. Mark's Gospel, which is, like St. John's, the Gospel of an eye-witness. (Comp. <span class= "ital">Introduction to St. Mark,</span> p. 189, and <span class= "ital">Excursus E: The Omission of the Raising of Lazarus, in the Synoptic Gospels.</span>) . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/11.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 13.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Now Jesus had spoken of his death: but they thought that he spake of taking rest in sleep</span>. <span class="greek">Λέγει</span>, though in the present tense, represents a time anterior to the time of <span class="greek">ἔδοξαν</span>. <span class="greek">Κοίμησις</span> is found in Ecclus. 46:19. This is an explanation of the misunderstanding, occasioned, perhaps, by the statement of ver. 4, and further elucidated by what follows. A difference prevails between <span class="greek">κοίμησις</span> and <span class="greek">ὕπνος</span> as both words are used for sleep; but the former has rather the idea of the repose accompanying sleep, the latter the phenomenon itself. With one or two exceptions, <span class="greek">κοιμᾶσθαι</span> is always used in the New Testament of the sleep of death, <span class="greek">ὑπνός</span> never. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/john/11-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">They</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐκεῖνοι</span> <span class="translit">(ekeinoi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1565.htm">Strong's 1565: </a> </span><span class="str2">That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">thought</span><br /><span class="grk">ἔδοξαν</span> <span class="translit">(edoxan)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1380.htm">Strong's 1380: </a> </span><span class="str2">A prolonged form of a primary verb, doko dok'-o of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="grk">ὅτι</span> <span class="translit">(hoti)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> </span><span class="str2">Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[Jesus] was talking</span><br /><span class="grk">λέγει</span> <span class="translit">(legei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">about</span><br /><span class="grk">περὶ</span> <span class="translit">(peri)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4012.htm">Strong's 4012: </a> </span><span class="str2">From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">actual sleep,</span><br /><span class="grk">κοιμήσεως</span> <span class="translit">(koimēseōs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2838.htm">Strong's 2838: </a> </span><span class="str2">Repose, taking rest, sleep. From koimao; sleeping, i.e. repose.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but</span><br /><span class="grk">δὲ</span> <span class="translit">(de)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; but, and, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[He]</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἰησοῦς</span> <span class="translit">(Iēsous)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> </span><span class="str2">Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was speaking</span><br /><span class="grk">εἰρήκει</span> <span class="translit">(eirēkei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Pluperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2046.htm">Strong's 2046: </a> </span><span class="str2">Probably a fuller form of rheo; an alternate for epo in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. Speak or say.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">about</span><br /><span class="grk">περὶ</span> <span class="translit">(peri)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4012.htm">Strong's 4012: </a> </span><span class="str2">From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">τοῦ</span> <span class="translit">(tou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">death</span><br /><span class="grk">θανάτου</span> <span class="translit">(thanatou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2288.htm">Strong's 2288: </a> </span><span class="str2">Death, physical or spiritual. From thnesko; death.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of [Lazarus].</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτοῦ</span> <span class="translit">(autou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/11-13.htm">John 11:13 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/john/11-13.htm">John 11:13 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/john/11-13.htm">John 11:13 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/john/11-13.htm">John 11:13 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/john/11-13.htm">John 11:13 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/john/11-13.htm">John 11:13 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/11-13.htm">John 11:13 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/11-13.htm">John 11:13 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/john/11-13.htm">John 11:13 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/john/11-13.htm">John 11:13 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/john/11-13.htm">NT Gospels: John 11:13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/11-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 11:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 11:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/11-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 11:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 11:14" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>