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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 11:1 At this time a man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/11-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/43_Jhn_11_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 11:1 - The Death of Lazarus" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="At this time a man named Lazarus was sick. 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He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. <a href="/nlt/john/11.htm">New Living Translation</a> A man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha. <a href="/esv/john/11.htm">English Standard Version</a> Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. <a href="/bsb/john/11.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> At this time a man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. <a href="/blb/john/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Now a certain man was ailing, Lazarus of Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister Martha. <a href="/kjv/john/11.htm">King James Bible</a> Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. <a href="/nkjv/john/11.htm">New King James Version</a> Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. <a href="/nasb_/john/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Now a certain man was sick: Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. <a href="/nasb/john/11.htm">NASB 1995</a> Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. <a href="/nasb77/john/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. <a href="/lsb/john/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. <a href="/amp/john/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Now a certain man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village where Mary and her sister Martha lived. <a href="/csb/john/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Now a man was sick, Lazarus from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. <a href="/hcsb/john/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Now a man was sick, Lazarus, from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. <a href="/asv/john/11.htm">American Standard Version</a> Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister Martha. <a href="/erv/john/11.htm">English Revised Version</a> Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister Martha. <a href="/gwt/john/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Lazarus, who lived in Bethany, the village where Mary and her sister Martha lived, was sick. <a href="/gnt/john/11.htm">Good News Translation</a> A man named Lazarus, who lived in Bethany, became sick. Bethany was the town where Mary and her sister Martha lived. ( <a href="/isv/john/11.htm">International Standard Version</a> Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. <a href="/msb/john/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> At this time a man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. <a href="/net/john/11.htm">NET Bible</a> Now a certain man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village where Mary and her sister Martha lived. <a href="/nheb/john/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus from Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister, Martha. <a href="/wbt/john/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. <a href="/wey/john/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Now a certain man, named Lazarus, of Bethany, was lying ill-- Bethany being the village of Mary and her sister Martha. <a href="/web/john/11.htm">World English Bible</a> Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus from Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister, Martha. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And there was a certain one ailing, Lazarus, from Bethany, of the village of Mary and Martha her sister— <a href="/blb/john/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Now a certain man was ailing, Lazarus of Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister Martha. <a href="/ylt/john/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And there was a certain one ailing, Lazarus, from Bethany, of the village of Mary and Martha her sister -- <a href="/slt/john/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And a certain Lazarus was sick, from Bethany, of the town of Mary And Martha her sister.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> NOW there was a certain man sick, named Lazarus, of Bethania, of the town of Mary and Martha her sister. <a href="/cpdv/john/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Now there was a certain sick man, Lazarus of Bethania, from the town of Mary and her sister Martha. <a href="/nabre/john/11.htm">New American Bible</a> Now a man was ill, Lazarus from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. <a href="/nrsvce/john/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> NOW there was a man who was sick, Lazarus of the town of Bethany, the brother of Mary and Martha. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/11.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And a certain man was sick, Lazar of the town of Bethany, the brother of Maryam and of Martha.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/11.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus, of Bethany, the village of Mary and Martha her sister. <a href="/godbey/john/11.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And a certain one was sick, Lazarus from Bethany, of the village of Mary and Martha her sister. <a href="/haweis/john/11.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> NOW there was a sick man, Lazarus, of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. <a href="/mace/john/11.htm">Mace New Testament</a> Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, who was of Bethany, the town of Mary, and of Martha her sister. <a href="/wey/john/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Now a certain man, named Lazarus, of Bethany, was lying ill-- Bethany being the village of Mary and her sister Martha. <a href="/worrell/john/11.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Now a certain one was sick, Lazarus from Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister Martha. <a href="/worsley/john/11.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Now there was a certain person sick, to wit, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and Martha her sister. <a href="/parallel/john/11-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=3857" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/11.htm">The Death of Lazarus</a> 1<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">At this time</a> <a href="/greek/5100.htm" title="5100: tis (IPro-NMS) -- Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.">a man</a> <a href="/greek/2976.htm" title="2976: Lazaros (N-NMS) -- Probably of Hebrew origin; Lazarus, the name of two Israelites.">named Lazarus</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: Ēn (V-IIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">was</a> <a href="/greek/770.htm" title="770: asthenōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- To be weak (physically: then morally), To be sick. From asthenes; to be feeble.">sick.</a> <a href="/greek/575.htm" title="575: apo (Prep) -- From, away from. A primary particle; off, i.e. Away, in various senses.">He lived in</a> <a href="/greek/963.htm" title="963: Bēthanias (N-GFS) -- Of Chaldee origin; date-house; Beth-any, a place in Palestine.">Bethany,</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out."></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.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2968.htm" title="2968: kōmēs (N-GFS) -- A village, country town. From keimai; a hamlet.">village</a> <a href="/greek/3137.htm" title="3137: Marias (N-GFS) -- Or Mariam of Hebrew origin; Maria or Mariam, the name of six Christian females.">of Mary</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autēs (PPro-GF3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">her</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/79.htm" title="79: adelphēs (N-GFS) -- A sister, a woman (fellow-)member of a church, a Christian woman. Fem of adephos; a sister.">sister</a> <a href="/greek/3136.htm" title="3136: Marthas (N-GFS) -- Martha, sister of Mary and Lazarus of Bethany. Probably of Chaldee origin; Martha, a Christian woman.">Martha.</a> 2(Mary, whose brother Lazarus was sick, was to anoint the Lord with perfume and wipe His feet with her hair.)…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/john/12-1.htm">John 12:1-3</a> Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, the hometown of Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. / So they hosted a dinner for Jesus there. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Him. / Then Mary took about a pint of expensive perfume, made of pure nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. <a href="/luke/10-38.htm">Luke 10:38-42</a> As they traveled along, Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. / She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to His message. / But Martha was distracted by all the preparations to be made. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me!” ... <a href="/matthew/26-6.htm">Matthew 26:6-13</a> While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, / a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He reclined at the table. / When the disciples saw this, they were indignant and asked, “Why this waste? ... <a href="/mark/14-3.htm">Mark 14:3-9</a> While Jesus was in Bethany reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke open the jar and poured it on Jesus’ head. / Some of those present, however, expressed their indignation to one another: “Why this waste of perfume? / It could have been sold for over three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her. ... <a href="/john/11-5.htm">John 11:5</a> Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. <a href="/john/11-18.htm">John 11:18-19</a> Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, a little less than two miles away, / and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them in the loss of their brother. <a href="/john/11-21.htm">John 11:21-27</a> Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. / But even now I know that God will give You whatever You ask of Him.” / “Your brother will rise again,” Jesus told her. ... <a href="/john/11-32.htm">John 11:32</a> When Mary came to Jesus and saw Him, she fell at His feet and said, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” <a href="/john/11-45.htm">John 11:45</a> Therefore many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in Him. <a href="/john/12-9.htm">John 12:9-11</a> Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews learned that Jesus was there. And they came not only because of Him, but also to see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. / So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, / for on account of him many of the Jews were deserting them and believing in Jesus. <a href="/john/12-17.htm">John 12:17-19</a> Meanwhile, many people who had been with Jesus when He called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to testify. / That is also why the crowd went out to meet Him, because they heard that He had performed this sign. / Then the Pharisees said to one another, “You can see that this is doing you no good. Look how the whole world has gone after Him!” <a href="/john/1-29.htm">John 1:29-34</a> The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! / This is He of whom I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’ / I myself did not know Him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that He might be revealed to Israel.” ... <a href="/john/2-1.htm">John 2:1-11</a> On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, / and Jesus and His disciples had also been invited to the wedding. / When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to Him, “They have no more wine.” ... <a href="/john/5-1.htm">John 5:1-9</a> Some time later there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. / Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool with five covered colonnades, which in Hebrew is called Bethesda. / On these walkways lay a great number of the sick, the blind, the lame, and the paralyzed. ... <a href="/john/9-1.htm">John 9:1-7</a> Now as Jesus was passing by, He saw a man blind from birth, / and His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” / Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God would be displayed in him. ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.Now.<a href="/john/12-10.htm">John 12:10</a> But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;was sick.<a href="/john/11-3.htm">John 11:3,6</a> Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick… <a href="/genesis/48-1.htm">Genesis 48:1</a> And it came to pass after these things, that one told Joseph, Behold, thy father is sick: and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.<a href="/2_kings/20-1.htm">2 Kings 20:1-12</a> In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live… Lazarus.<a href="/john/11-5.htm">John 11:5,11</a> Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus… <a href="/john/12-2.htm">John 12:2,9,17</a> There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him… <a href="/luke/16-20.htm">Luke 16:20-25</a> And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, … Bethany.<a href="/john/12-1.htm">John 12:1</a> Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.<a href="/matthew/21-17.htm">Matthew 21:17</a> And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.<a href="/mark/11-1.htm">Mark 11:1</a> And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples,Mary.<a href="/luke/10-38.htm">Luke 10:38-42</a> Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/6-2.htm">Ailing</a> <a href="/john/1-43.htm">Bethany</a> <a href="/john/6-2.htm">Ill</a> <a href="/luke/16-27.htm">Lazarus</a> <a href="/luke/10-41.htm">Martha</a> <a href="/luke/24-10.htm">Mary</a> <a href="/john/6-2.htm">Sick</a> <a href="/luke/10-40.htm">Sister</a> <a href="/john/7-42.htm">Village</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/11-2.htm">Ailing</a> <a href="/john/11-18.htm">Bethany</a> <a href="/john/11-2.htm">Ill</a> <a href="/john/11-2.htm">Lazarus</a> <a href="/john/11-5.htm">Martha</a> <a href="/john/11-2.htm">Mary</a> <a href="/john/11-2.htm">Sick</a> <a href="/john/11-5.htm">Sister</a> <a href="/john/11-30.htm">Village</a><div class="vheading2">John 11</div>1. <a href="/john/11-1.htm">Jesus raises Lazarus, four days buried.</a> 45. <a href="/john/11-45.htm">Many Jews believe.</a> 47. <a href="/john/11-47.htm">The high priests and Pharisees gather a council against Jesus.</a> 49. <a href="/john/11-49.htm">Caiaphas prophesies.</a> 54. <a href="/john/11-54.htm">Jesus hides himself.</a> 55. <a href="/john/11-55.htm">At the Passover they enquire after him, and lay wait for him.</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>At this time This phrase sets the stage for the events that follow, indicating a specific period in Jesus' ministry. It suggests a continuation of the narrative and connects to the broader timeline of Jesus' journey towards Jerusalem. This timing is significant as it occurs shortly before Jesus' crucifixion, highlighting the urgency and importance of the events that unfold.a man named Lazarus Lazarus is a central figure in this chapter, and his name means "God has helped." This is the only account of Lazarus in the Gospels, and he is not to be confused with the Lazarus mentioned in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus in <a href="/luke/16.htm">Luke 16</a>. Lazarus' resurrection serves as a powerful sign of Jesus' authority over life and death, prefiguring Jesus' own resurrection.was sick The illness of Lazarus is a critical element that sets the narrative in motion. It underscores human vulnerability and the reality of suffering, which Jesus often addressed in His ministry. The sickness also serves as a backdrop for the demonstration of Jesus' divine power and compassion.He lived in Bethany Bethany is a small village located about two miles east of Jerusalem on the southeastern slope of the Mount of Olives. It is significant as a place where Jesus often visited and found refuge. The proximity to Jerusalem makes the events that occur here particularly poignant, as they foreshadow the impending climax of Jesus' earthly ministry.the village of Mary and her sister Martha Mary and Martha are well-known figures in the Gospels, particularly for their interactions with Jesus. Mary is often associated with devotion and worship, as seen in her anointing of Jesus' feet (<a href="/john/12-3.htm">John 12:3</a>), while Martha is known for her service and hospitality (<a href="/luke/10-38.htm">Luke 10:38-42</a>). Their relationship with Jesus is intimate and personal, highlighting the human aspect of His ministry and the importance of faith and relationship with Him.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/l/lazarus.htm">Lazarus</a> A man who lived in Bethany and was known to be loved by Jesus. His sickness and subsequent death set the stage for one of Jesus' most significant miracles—raising Lazarus from the dead. 2. <a href="/topical/m/mary.htm">Mary</a> The sister of Lazarus, known for her devotion to Jesus. She is the same Mary who anointed Jesus' feet with perfume and wiped them with her hair. 3. <a href="/topical/m/martha.htm">Martha</a> The sister of Lazarus, known for her active service and hospitality. She often appears in the Gospels as a woman of faith and action. 4. <a href="/topical/b/bethany.htm">Bethany</a> A village near Jerusalem, significant as the home of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. It served as a place of refuge and rest for Jesus during His ministry. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_event_of_lazarus'_sickness.htm">The Event of Lazarus' Sickness</a> This event is the precursor to the miracle of Lazarus being raised from the dead, which demonstrates Jesus' power over life and death and foreshadows His own resurrection.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_faith_in_trials.htm">The Importance of Faith in Trials</a> Lazarus' sickness and death were opportunities for Jesus to demonstrate His power and for the disciples to grow in faith. In our trials, we should trust in Jesus' timing and purpose. <a href="/topical/j/jesus'_compassion_and_power.htm">Jesus' Compassion and Power</a> Jesus' response to Lazarus' death shows His deep compassion and His divine authority. We can trust that Jesus cares deeply for us and has the power to intervene in our lives. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_community_in_faith.htm">The Role of Community in Faith</a> Mary, Martha, and Lazarus' account highlights the importance of community and support in times of crisis. We should seek to build strong, faith-based relationships. <a href="/topical/t/the_foreshadowing_of_resurrection.htm">The Foreshadowing of Resurrection</a> Lazarus' resurrection is a precursor to Jesus' own resurrection, offering a glimpse of the hope and victory over death that believers have in Christ. <a href="/topical/l/living_with_eternal_perspective.htm">Living with Eternal Perspective</a> The account encourages believers to live with an eternal perspective, focusing on the life to come and the promises of Jesus.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_11.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 11</a> <a href="/q/what_happened_to_lazarus_after_rising.htm">What occurred to Lazarus post-resurrection?</a> <a href="/q/how_did_mary_show_devotion_to_jesus.htm">How did Mary of Bethany show devotion to Jesus?</a> <a href="/q/was_lazarus_mistaken_for_dead.htm">Could Lazarus have been mistaken for dead rather than truly resurrected (John 11:14)? </a> <a href="/q/who_was_martha_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Martha in the Bible?</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>(1) Now a certain man was sick.--This is connected with the preceding narrative to introduce the reason for our Lord's leaving His retirement to go again into the neighbourhood of Jerusalem.Named Lazarus, of Bethany.--For the name "Lazarus," comp. Note on <a href="/luke/16-20.htm" title="And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,">Luke 16:20</a>, where it occurs as the solitary instance of a name in our Lord's parables. It will be seen from the Chronological Harmony of the Gospels, p. 36, that the parable was closely connected with the miracle in order of time. It is in every way probable that the form in which the truths of the world beyond the grave there took shape was suggested by the incidents which are here recorded. See also the suggestion that this Lazarus may have been identical with the young man that had great possessions, in Notes on <a href="/matthew/19-16.htm" title="And, behold, one came and said to him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?">Matthew 19:16</a> et seq. The induction rests upon an enumeration of instances which makes it at least probable in a high degree."Bethany," too, is familiar to us from the earlier Gospels (<a href="/matthew/21-17.htm" title="And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.">Matthew 21:17</a>; <a href="/matthew/26-6.htm" title="Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,">Matthew 26:6</a>; <a href="/mark/11-12.htm" title="And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:">Mark 11:12</a>; <a href="/mark/14-3.htm" title="And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she broke the box, and poured it on his head.">Mark 14:3</a>; <a href="/luke/19-29.htm" title="And it came to pass, when he was come near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,">Luke 19:29</a>; <a href="/luke/24-50.htm" title="And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.">Luke 24:50</a>). The modern name, El-Azirieh, or El-Lazirieh, connects it with the events of this chapter, being formed from El-Azir, the Arabic form of the name Lazarus. It is a poor village on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, about two miles from Jerusalem (<a href="/john/11-18.htm" title="Now Bethany was near to Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:">John 11:18</a>). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/11.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 1-57. - 7. Christ the Antagonist of death - a victory of love and power. The narrative of this chapter is a further advance in the proof that the unbelief of the Jews was aggravated by the greatness of the revelation. The issue of his sublime and culminating act of power, of his supreme and self-revealing work of transcendent tenderness and beauty, was a deeper and wilder passion of hatred. The evangelist completes his series of seven great miracles with one that in true and believing minds, evokes a new sense of the glory of God. This great last sign corresponds with the first (John it.) by being enacted amid the domestic and family life of a small and insignificant town, and also by express reference to the veritable manifestation involved in it of the δόξα Θεοῦ, on which we have frequently commented. Baur treated the narrative as an ideal composition, illustrating the great metaphysical utterance, "I am the Resurrection and the Life." Keim endeavored to reduce the whole narrative to a fiction, not so well contrived as some of the evangelist's tours de force. This is almost as arbitrary and offensive as M. Renan's endeavor (which held its place in numerous editions of his 'Vie de Jesus') to represent the miracle as a got-up scene, into which Christ, by a kind of Divine mensonge, allowed himself to be drawn. Subsequently, Renan has suggested that Mary and Martha told Jesus their persuasion that such a miracle would convince his enemies, and that he replied that his bitter foes would not believe him even if Lazarus were to rise from the grave; and that this speech was expanded by tradition into an actual event. This corresponds with what Weisse had suggested, that the story is an expansion of the Lord's conversation with the sisters at Bethany. Gfrorer ('Heiligthum und Wahrheit,' p. 311, Meyer) thought that it is the story of Nain over again in a developed form, and that Nain is equivalent to Bethany; and Schenkel has fancied that the parable of <a href="/luke/16.htm">Luke 16</a>. has been expanded into a narrative of genuine resurrection. Thorns has, in like manner, regarded it as the poetic expansion of the idea of the Christ as the Prince of life and Conqueror of death, and as based on the synoptic account of two resurrections, and on the parable of Lazarus and the rich man. These hypotheses are all incompatible with the simplicity of the account and with the apostolicity of the Gospel. Many attempts have been made to account for the silence of the synoptists concerning this narrative. Some writers, with Epiphanius, have said they feared, when their narratives were made public, to call such marked attention to the family of Bethany, lest they might have endangered their lives; but this is exceedingly improbable. Others have argued that this crowning miracle would not take such a conspicuous place in their less-carefully arranged records. It was only one of "many signs" wrought by our Lord with which they were familiar. Matthew (<a href="/matthew/9-18.htm">Matthew 9:18</a>) and Mark (<a href="/mark/5-22.htm">Mark 5:22</a>) had already described the raising of Jairus's daughter from the bed of death, from what was believed by the onlookers to have been veritable dissolution; and Luke (<a href="/luke/7-11.htm">Luke 7:11</a>) had shown the Lord at the gates of Nain to have royally withstood the power of death, even when the corpse of a young man was being carried out to the burial. The narrative before us is not different in kind from these, though the prelude and the accompaniments of the miracle and its consequences are all wrought out with much dramatic force, while numerous touches, by-scenes, and references are introduced which give consummate interest to the whole. Another suggestion of moment is that it was not the purpose of the synoptists to detail the incidents of our Lord's ministry in Jerusalem. Let it not be forgotten that each of the evangelists records incident and discourse to which neither of the others had access. The peculiarities of Matthew and Luke are nearly as numerous as those of the Fourth Gospel. Why should not John bring forth facts from his memory which they had left untouched? (see Introduction, p. 96.). Verses 1-16. - (1) The mystery and might of sacrificial love seen in the prelude of the miracle. Verse 1. - Now a certain (man) was sick, (named) Lazarus, of Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister Martha. The certain man who was sick, Lazarus (or Eleazar) by name, was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. The two prepositions ἀπὸ and ἐκ generally denote procession from, but the latter implies closer and more intimate original association; they here are put in apposition, though there are passages where they are discriminated (<a href="/luke/2-4.htm">Luke 2:4</a>; <a href="/acts/23-34.htm">Acts 23:34</a>; R.T. of <a href="/revelation/9-18.htm">Revelation 9:18</a>). The contention of Gresswell that ἀπὸ referred to present residence, and ἐκ to nativity, and that the κώμη was to be found in Galilee, is not sound (see <a href="/john/12-21.htm">John 12:21</a>; <a href="/john/19-38.htm">John 19:38</a>). Bethany is mentioned to distinguish it from "Bethany beyond Jordan," referred to in <a href="/john/1-28.htm">John 1:28</a> (see note). The town is now known as El Azirieh, and is about a mile and a half from Jerusalem, on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives. Simonis interpreted the name to mean "house of depression," "valley-town" בֵּיתאּעֲנִיָּה (Lightfoot); Reland derives its name from בֵּית־הִינֵי, "house of dates" (see <a href="/matthew/21-17.htm">Matthew 21:17</a>). It seems that palm branches could be then torn from the trees in the neighborhood. Arnold (Herzog., 'Enc.') derives its name from בֵּיתאּעֲנְיָּא (Aramaic), "house of the afflicted." The village has become well known in the circle of evangelic narrative from St. Luke's reference to Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38, etc.). Mary's name is probably mentioned first from the further record of her ecstatic love, which the other Gospels were diffusing through the world, and to which John makes an anticipatory reference. Her name had not been given before. In <a href="/matthew/26-13.htm">Matthew 26:13</a> and <a href="/mark/14-3.htm">Mark 14:3</a> she was "a certain woman." John throws light on the ground of her gratitude. The efforts made by Bunyan, in his 'Jerusalem Sinner Saved,' and by Hengstenberg, to defend the pre-Reformation identification of "Mary" with the "Magdalene," and the Magdalene with the woman that was a sinner (cf. <a href="/luke/7-37.htm">Luke 7:37</a> with <a href="/luke/8-2.htm">Luke 8:2</a>), rest on insufficient grounds. The identification of the two anointings with each other is without justification. All the circumstances are different - the time, the place, the obvious reason, the motive assigned by our Lord, the conversations which followed. If a woman who was a sinner had taken such a step, and this expression of her gratitude had been accepted by Jesus, Mary of Bethany found more ample reason for following her example (see Dr. Schaff's admirable and extended reply to Hengstenberg). B. Weiss acutely observes that this reference shows that in the circle for which the evangelist wrote Bethany was known as the home of the sisters, and Mary as the heroine of the anointing incident. Numerous other identifications, i.e. of Simon the Leper with Simon the Pharisee, Martha with Simon's wife, are precarious. Dean Plumptre's identification of Lazarus with the "rich young man" who is supposed to have given his all away to the poor, and who possessed nothing but a solitary garment; and his subsequent identification with the young man who fled away naked on the night of Christ's arrest, are specimens of ingenuity, but carry no conviction. The contrast between the ideas involved in the parable of <a href="/luke/16.htm">Luke 16</a>. and this narrative is so profound that we dismiss the hypothesis of the identity of the two Lazaruses. Strauss, Keim, and others deal with it as an expansion of the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, who is supposed actually to have been sent unto the people from the dead, but, in agreement with our Lord's prediction, winning no obedience. Vehement efforts are made in this and other ways to undo the commanding significance of the miracle. Bishop Wordsworth and Archdeacon Watkins are disposed to identify the Lazarus of the parable and the Lazarus of Bethany; the latter supposes the parable to have been delivered at the very time mentioned in Persea. Our Lord's statement, that the brothers of the rich man would not believe though one rose from the dead, was in some sense paralleled by the desire of the Jews to put Lazarus to death; but the reason given is that by reason of Lazarus "many of the Jews went away from them, and believed on Jesus" (<a href="/john/12-11.htm">John 12:11</a>; cf. also <a href="/john/11-45.htm">John 11:45</a>, "Many of the Jews, when they beheld what he did, believed on him"). <a href="/commentaries/john/11-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>At this time δέ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. a [man] τις (tis) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5100.htm">Strong's 5100: </a> Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object. [named] Lazarus Λάζαρος (Lazaros) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2976.htm">Strong's 2976: </a> Probably of Hebrew origin; Lazarus, the name of two Israelites. was Ἦν (Ēn) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. sick. ἀσθενῶν (asthenōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_770.htm">Strong's 770: </a> To be weak (physically: then morally), To be sick. From asthenes; to be feeble. [He lived in] ἀπὸ (apo) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_575.htm">Strong's 575: </a> From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses. Bethany, Βηθανίας (Bēthanias) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_963.htm">Strong's 963: </a> Of Chaldee origin; date-house; Beth-any, a place in Palestine. the τῆς (tēs) Article - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. village κώμης (kōmēs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2968.htm">Strong's 2968: </a> A village, country town. From keimai; a hamlet. of Mary Μαρίας (Marias) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3137.htm">Strong's 3137: </a> Or Mariam of Hebrew origin; Maria or Mariam, the name of six Christian females. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. her αὐτῆς (autēs) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. sister ἀδελφῆς (adelphēs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_79.htm">Strong's 79: </a> A sister, a woman (fellow-)member of a church, a Christian woman. Fem of adephos; a sister. Martha. Μάρθας (Marthas) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3136.htm">Strong's 3136: </a> Martha, sister of Mary and Lazarus of Bethany. Probably of Chaldee origin; Martha, a Christian woman. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/11-1.htm">John 11:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/11-1.htm">John 11:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/11-1.htm">John 11:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/11-1.htm">John 11:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/11-1.htm">John 11:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/11-1.htm">John 11:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/11-1.htm">John 11:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/11-1.htm">John 11:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/11-1.htm">John 11:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/11-1.htm">John 11:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/11-1.htm">NT Gospels: John 11:1 Now a certain man was sick Lazarus (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/10-42.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 10:42"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 10:42" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/11-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 11:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 11:2" /></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>