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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 11:12 His disciples replied, "Lord, if he is sleeping, he will get better."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/11-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/43_Jhn_11_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 11:12 - The Death of Lazarus" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="His disciples replied, Lord, if he is sleeping, he will get better." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad12.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/11-11.htm" title="John 11:11">◄</a> John 11:12 <a href="/john/11-13.htm" title="John 11:13">►</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 />His disciples replied, &#8220Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/john/11.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The disciples said, “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will soon get better!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/john/11.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/john/11.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />His disciples replied, “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will get better.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Therefore His disciples said, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will get well."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/john/11.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/john/11.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then His disciples said, “Lord, if he sleeps he will get well.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/john/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The disciples then said to Him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will come out of it.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/john/11.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The disciples then said to Him, &#8220Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/john/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The disciples therefore said to Him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/john/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The disciples then said to Him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will be saved <i>from his sickness</i>.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/john/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The disciples answered, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/john/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will get well.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/john/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the disciples said to Him, &#8220Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will get well.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/john/11.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The disciples therefore said unto him, Lord, if he is fallen asleep, he will recover.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/john/11.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They replied, "Lord, if he is asleep, he will get better." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/john/11.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The disciples therefore said unto him, Lord, if he is fallen asleep, he will recover.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/john/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />His disciples said to him, "Lord, if he's sleeping, he'll get well."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/john/11.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The disciples answered, "If he is asleep, Lord, he will get well." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/john/11.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So the disciples told him, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will get well." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/john/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />His disciples replied, ?Lord, if he is sleeping, he will get better.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/john/11.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then the disciples replied, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/john/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Then the disciples said to him, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/john/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleepeth he will do well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"Master," said the disciples, "if he is asleep he will recover."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/john/11.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The disciples therefore said, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/john/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />therefore His disciples said, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will be saved”;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Therefore His disciples said, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will get well."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/john/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> therefore said his disciples, 'Sir, if he hath fallen asleep, he will be saved;'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/john/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Then said his disciples, Lord, if he has been set to sleep, he shall be saved.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/john/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />His disciples therefore said: Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/john/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And so his disciples said, “Lord, if he is sleeping, he shall be healthy.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/john/11.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />So the disciples said to him, “Master, if he is asleep, he will be saved.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/john/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will be all right.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/john/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />His disciples said to him, Our Lord, if he is sleeping, he will get well.<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 />His disciples were saying to him, “Our Lord, if he is sleeping, he is recovering health.”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/john/11.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Then his disciples said: Lord, if he sleeps, he will be saved.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/john/11.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />Then the disciples said to Him, Lord, if he is asleep, he will be saved.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/john/11.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Then said his disciples, Lord, if he is asleep, he will recover.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/john/11.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he will recover;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"Master," said the disciples, "if he is asleep he will recover."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/john/11.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />The disciples, therefore, said to Him, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/john/11.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />Therefore his disciples said, Lord, if he sleep, he will do well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/john/11-12.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=3945" 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">11</span>After He had said this, He told them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to wake him up.” <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly."></a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">His</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3101.htm" title="3101: mathētai (N-NMP) -- A learner, disciple, pupil. From manthano; a learner, i.e. Pupil.">disciples</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: Eipan (V-AIA-3P) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">replied,</a> <a href="/greek/2962.htm" title="2962: Kyrie (N-VMS) -- Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.">“Lord,</a> <a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">if</a> <a href="/greek/2837.htm" title="2837: kekoimētai (V-RIM/P-3S) -- From keimai; to put to sleep, i.e. to slumber; figuratively, to decease.">he is sleeping,</a> <a href="/greek/4982.htm" title="4982: sōthēsetai (V-FIP-3S) -- To save, heal, preserve, rescue. From a primary sos; to save, i.e. Deliver or protect.">he will get better.”</a> </span> <span class="reftext">13</span>They thought that Jesus was talking about actual sleep, but He was speaking about the death of Lazarus.…<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/9-4.htm">John 9:4</a></span><br />While it is daytime, we must do the works of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-51.htm">John 8:51</a></span><br />Truly, truly, I tell you, if anyone keeps My word, he will never see death.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/5-24.htm">John 5:24</a></span><br />Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/3-15.htm">John 3:15-16</a></span><br />that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life. / For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/6-50.htm">John 6:50-51</a></span><br />This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that anyone may eat of it and not die. / I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And this bread, which I will give for the life of the world, is My flesh.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/14-19.htm">John 14:19</a></span><br />In a little while the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you also will live.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/10-28.htm">John 10:28</a></span><br />I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-24.htm">John 12:24</a></span><br />Truly, truly, I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a seed. But if it dies, it bears much fruit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/7-39.htm">John 7:39</a></span><br />He was speaking about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. For the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/16-16.htm">John 16:16</a></span><br />In a little while you will see Me no more, and then after a little while you will see Me.”<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="/1_corinthians/15-20.htm">1 Corinthians 15:20</a></span><br />But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/6-9.htm">Romans 6:9</a></span><br />For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has dominion over 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.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/11-11.htm">Asleep</a> <a href="/john/4-52.htm">Better</a> <a href="/john/11-8.htm">Disciples</a> <a href="/john/11-11.htm">Fallen</a> <a href="/john/11-8.htm">Master</a> <a href="/luke/18-42.htm">Recover</a> <a href="/john/6-11.htm">Resting</a> <a href="/john/10-9.htm">Saved</a> <a href="/john/11-3.htm">Sir</a> <a href="/john/11-11.htm">Sleep</a> <a href="/john/11-11.htm">Sleepeth</a> <a href="/luke/8-52.htm">Sleeps</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/7-60.htm">Asleep</a> <a href="/john/11-50.htm">Better</a> <a href="/john/11-13.htm">Disciples</a> <a href="/acts/1-18.htm">Fallen</a> <a href="/john/11-21.htm">Master</a> <a href="/acts/9-12.htm">Recover</a> <a href="/john/13-23.htm">Resting</a> <a href="/acts/2-21.htm">Saved</a> <a href="/john/11-21.htm">Sir</a> <a href="/john/11-13.htm">Sleep</a> <a href="/genesis/2-21.htm">Sleepeth</a> <a href="/exodus/22-16.htm">Sleeps</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>His disciples replied</b><br>The disciples often engaged in dialogue with Jesus, seeking understanding of His teachings and actions. This reflects their role as learners and followers, who sometimes misunderstood Jesus' intentions or the depth of His mission. In the context of <a href="/john/11.htm">John 11</a>, they are responding to Jesus' statement about Lazarus sleeping, which they took literally.<p><b>“Lord, if he is sleeping</b><br>In Jewish culture, sleep was often used as a metaphor for death, as seen in other scriptural references (e.g., <a href="/daniel/12-2.htm">Daniel 12:2</a>, <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-14.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:14</a>). The disciples' literal interpretation of sleep here shows their lack of understanding of Jesus' deeper meaning. Sleep, in this context, is a euphemism for death, indicating that Lazarus has died, but Jesus intends to awaken him, symbolizing resurrection.<p><b>he will get better.”</b><br>The disciples' response reflects a common belief that sleep is restorative and beneficial for recovery from illness. They assume that if Lazarus is merely sleeping, he will naturally recover without the need for Jesus to intervene. This highlights their misunderstanding of the situation and Jesus' power over life and death. It also sets the stage for Jesus to demonstrate His authority over death, foreshadowing His own resurrection and affirming His identity as the resurrection and the life (<a href="/john/11-25.htm">John 11:25</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a></b><br>Central figure in the Gospel of John, the Son of God, who performs miracles and teaches about the Kingdom of God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/d/disciples.htm">Disciples</a></b><br>Followers of Jesus who are learning from His teachings and witnessing His miracles.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/l/lazarus.htm">Lazarus</a></b><br>A friend of Jesus who has fallen ill and whose death and resurrection become a pivotal miracle in Jesus' ministry.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/b/bethany.htm">Bethany</a></b><br>The village where Lazarus, Mary, and Martha live, located near Jerusalem.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/judea.htm">Judea</a></b><br>The region where Bethany is located, and where Jesus' life is under threat from those who oppose Him.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_misunderstandings.htm">Understanding Misunderstandings</a></b><br>The disciples misunderstood Jesus' statement about Lazarus sleeping. This highlights the importance of seeking spiritual understanding beyond the literal interpretation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_jesus'_power.htm">Faith in Jesus' Power</a></b><br>Jesus' ability to raise Lazarus from the dead is a testament to His divine authority and power over life and death, encouraging believers to trust in His sovereignty.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_suffering.htm">The Role of Suffering</a></b><br>Lazarus's illness and death serve a greater purpose in revealing God's glory. This teaches that suffering can have a divine purpose and lead to a greater revelation of God's power.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_spiritual_awareness.htm">The Importance of Spiritual Awareness</a></b><br>The disciples' initial response shows a lack of spiritual insight. Believers are encouraged to seek deeper spiritual awareness and understanding through prayer and study of the Word.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_resurrection.htm">Hope in Resurrection</a></b><br>The account of Lazarus provides a foretaste of the resurrection hope promised to all believers, encouraging them to live with an eternal perspective.<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/why_do_believers_doubt_god's_existence.htm">Why does God allow so many of His followers to doubt His existence?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_mary_show_devotion_to_jesus.htm">How did Mary of Bethany show devotion to Jesus?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_job_stay_faithful_in_suffering.htm">What does 'I Have Called You Friends' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/day_26_insights_on_spiritual_growth.htm">What events define the Triumphal Entry in Volume 23?</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>(12) <span class= "bld">Then said his disciples.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">Therefore</span> . . . Their remark immediately arises out of what our Lord has said. They are glad to catch at any reason for not going to Judaea.<p><span class= "bld">If he sleep, he shall do well.</span>--More exactly, <span class= "ital">If he be fallen asleep, he shall be saved.</span> There could be, therefore, no reason for His going, as the disease had passed the crisis. Sleep is given by the Rabbis as one of six favourable symptoms, and that it is so is a common-place in authors of all periods. From the apparent suddenness of the attack, and rapidity of the progress of the disease, it would seem to have been the "great fever" which was common in Palestine (comp. <a href="/john/4-52.htm" title="Then inquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said to him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.">John 4:52</a>, and especially Note on <a href="/luke/4-38.htm" title="And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and they sought him for her.">Luke 4:38</a>), and in which sleep would be the sign that the fever had ceased.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/11.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The disciples</span> <span class="cmt_word">therefore say unto him, Lord, if he have fallen asleep, he will recover</span>. Wunsche quotes 'Berach,' fol. 57, b, "Sleep is a good sign for the sick." The language of the disciples is somewhat remarkable; at least their misunderstanding is puzzling (Reuss and Strauss think it is a sign of the unhistorical); but it probably arose out of the statement, made two days before, that "the sickness was not unto death," and from their eager and affectionate desire to prevent their Lord's retraining to Judaea. <span class="accented">If he have fallen asleep</span>, <span class="accented">he well recover</span> (<span class="accented">be saved</span>). The whole narrative is throbbing with deeper meanings than lie on the surface of it. The theory of the sanitary effects of sleep in fever are well known, and the rousing from such sleep might seem hazardous; but the disciples were catching at straws to save their Master. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/john/11-12.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">His</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτῷ</span> <span class="translit">(autō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 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 /><br /><span class="word">disciples</span><br /><span class="grk">μαθηταὶ</span> <span class="translit">(mathētai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3101.htm">Strong's 3101: </a> </span><span class="str2">A learner, disciple, pupil. From manthano; a learner, i.e. Pupil.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">replied,</span><br /><span class="grk">Εἶπαν</span> <span class="translit">(Eipan)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> </span><span class="str2">Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Lord,</span><br /><span class="grk">Κύριε</span> <span class="translit">(Kyrie)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2962.htm">Strong's 2962: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">if</span><br /><span class="grk">εἰ</span> <span class="translit">(ei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> </span><span class="str2">If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he is sleeping,</span><br /><span class="grk">κεκοίμηται</span> <span class="translit">(kekoimētai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2837.htm">Strong's 2837: </a> </span><span class="str2">From keimai; to put to sleep, i.e. to slumber; figuratively, to decease.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he will get better.”</span><br /><span class="grk">σωθήσεται</span> <span class="translit">(sōthēsetai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4982.htm">Strong's 4982: </a> </span><span class="str2">To save, heal, preserve, rescue. From a primary sos; to save, i.e. Deliver or protect.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/11-12.htm">John 11:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/john/11-12.htm">John 11:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/john/11-12.htm">John 11:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/john/11-12.htm">John 11:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/john/11-12.htm">John 11:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/john/11-12.htm">John 11:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/11-12.htm">John 11:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/11-12.htm">John 11:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/john/11-12.htm">John 11:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/john/11-12.htm">John 11:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/john/11-12.htm">NT Gospels: John 11:12 The disciples therefore said Lord if he (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/11-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 11:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 11:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/11-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 11:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 11:13" /></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>