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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 11:39 "Take away the stone," Jesus said. "Lord, by now he stinks," said Martha, the sister of the dead man. "It has already been four days."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/11-39.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/43_Jhn_11_39.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 11:39 - Jesus Raises Lazarus" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Take away the stone, Jesus said. Lord, by now he stinks, said Martha, the sister of the dead man. 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But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.” <a href="/esv/john/11.htm">English Standard Version</a> Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” <a href="/bsb/john/11.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “Take away the stone,” Jesus said. “Lord, by now he stinks,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man. “It has already been four days.” <a href="/blb/john/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Jesus says, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of the one having died, says to Him, "Lord, he stinks already, for it is four days." <a href="/kjv/john/11.htm">King James Bible</a> Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. <a href="/nkjv/john/11.htm">New King James Version</a> Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.” <a href="/nasb_/john/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Jesus said, “Remove the stone.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days.” <a href="/nasb/john/11.htm">NASB 1995</a> Jesus said, &#8220Remove the stone.&#8221 Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, &#8220Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/john/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Jesus said, “Remove the stone.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days.” <a href="/lsb/john/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Jesus said, “Remove the stone.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, “Lord, by this time he smells, for he has been dead four days.” <a href="/amp/john/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be an offensive odor, for he has been dead four days! [It is hopeless!]” <a href="/csb/john/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “Remove the stone,” Jesus said. Martha, the dead man’s sister, told him, “Lord, there is already a stench because he has been dead four days.” <a href="/hcsb/john/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> &#8220Remove the stone,&#8221 Jesus said. Martha, the dead man&#8217s sister, told Him, &#8220Lord, he&#8217s already decaying. It&#8217s been four days.&#8221 <a href="/asv/john/11.htm">American Standard Version</a> Jesus saith, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time the body decayeth; for he hath been dead four days. <a href="/cev/john/11.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Then he told the people to roll the stone away. But Martha said, "Lord, you know that Lazarus has been dead four days, and there will be a bad smell." <a href="/erv/john/11.htm">English Revised Version</a> Jesus saith, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. <a href="/gwt/john/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Jesus said, "Take the stone away." Martha, the dead man's sister, told Jesus, "Lord, there must already be a stench. He's been dead for four days." <a href="/gnt/john/11.htm">Good News Translation</a> "Take the stone away!" Jesus ordered. Martha, the dead man's sister, answered, "There will be a bad smell, Lord. He has been buried four days!" <a href="/isv/john/11.htm">International Standard Version</a> Jesus said, "Remove the stone." Martha, the dead man's sister, told him, "Lord, there must be a stench by now, because he's been dead for four days." <a href="/msb/john/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?Take away the stone,? Jesus said. ?Lord, by now he stinks,? said Martha, the sister of the dead man. ?It has already been four days.? <a href="/net/john/11.htm">NET Bible</a> Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of the deceased, replied, "Lord, by this time the body will have a bad smell, because he has been buried four days." <a href="/nheb/john/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days." <a href="/wbt/john/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith to him, Lord, by this time his body is offensive: for he hath been dead four days. <a href="/wey/john/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Take away the stone," said Jesus. Martha, the sister of the dead man, exclaimed, "Master, by this time there is a foul smell; for it is three days since he died." <a href="/web/john/11.htm">World English Bible</a> Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Jesus says, “Take away the stone”; the sister of him who has died—Martha—says to Him, “Lord, he already stinks, for he is four days dead”; <a href="/blb/john/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Jesus says, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of the one having died, says to Him, "Lord, he stinks already, for it is four days." <a href="/ylt/john/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Jesus saith, 'Take ye away the stone;' the sister of him who hath died -- Martha -- saith to him, 'Sir, already he stinketh, for he is four days dead;' <a href="/slt/john/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Jesus says, Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of the dead, says to him, Lord, he already smells: for it is the fourth day.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Jesus saith: Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith to him: Lord, by this time he stinketh, for he is now of four days. <a href="/cpdv/john/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who had died, said to him, “Lord, by now it will smell, for this is the fourth day.” <a href="/nabre/john/11.htm">New American Bible</a> Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the dead man’s sister, said to him, “Lord, by now there will be a stench; he has been dead for four days.” <a href="/nrsvce/john/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead four days.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Jesus said, Take away this stone. Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, My Lord, he is already disfigured, for he is dead four days. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/11.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And Yeshua said, “Take away this stone.” Martha, the sister of him who had died, said to him, “My Lord, by now it is putrid, for it has been four days.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/11.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Jesus said: Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, said to him: Lord, the body is offensive; for he has been dead four days.<CM> <a href="/godbey/john/11.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Jesus says; <FR>Take away the stone.<Fr> Martha, the sister of the dead, says to Him; Lord, already he smelleth: for he is dead four days. <a href="/haweis/john/11.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Jesus saith, Remove the stone. The sister of the deceased, Martha, said to him, Lord, he is by this time putrid: for he hath been dead four days. <a href="/mace/john/11.htm">Mace New Testament</a> Jesus said, take away the stone. Martha, sister to the deceas'd, said to him, Lord, by this time he is offensive: for he hath been dead four days. <a href="/wey/john/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Take away the stone," said Jesus. Martha, the sister of the dead man, exclaimed, "Master, by this time there is a foul smell; for it is three days since he died." <a href="/worrell/john/11.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Jesus saith, <FR>"Take ye away the stone."<Fr> The sister of the deceased, Martha, says to Him, "Lord, already he is decaying; for he has been dead four days." <a href="/worsley/john/11.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Jesus saith, <FR>Take away the stone.<Fr> Martha, the sister of the deceased, saith unto Him, Lord, by this time he is offensive; for it is the fourth day. <a href="/parallel/john/11-39.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=4142" 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">Jesus Raises Lazarus</a> 38Jesus, once again deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39<a href="/greek/142.htm" title="142: Arate (V-AMA-2P) -- To raise, lift up, take away, remove. ">“Take away</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- 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/3037.htm" title="3037: lithon (N-AMS) -- A stone; met: of Jesus as the chief stone in a building. Apparently a primary word; a stone.">stone,” </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.">Jesus</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. ">said.</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/2235.htm" title="2235: ēdē (Adv) -- Already; now at length, now after all this waiting. Apparently from e and de; even now.">by now</a> <a href="/greek/3605.htm" title="3605: ozei (V-PIA-3S) -- To stink, be offensive. A primary verb; to scent: stink.">he stinks,”</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. ">said</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."></a> <a href="/greek/3136.htm" title="3136: Martha (N-NFS) -- Martha, sister of Mary and Lazarus of Bethany. Probably of Chaldee origin; Martha, a Christian woman.">Martha,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- 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/79.htm" title="79: adelphē (N-NFS) -- A sister, a woman (fellow-)member of a church, a Christian woman. Fem of adephos; a sister.">sister</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.">of the</a> <a href="/greek/5053.htm" title="5053: teteleutēkotos (V-RPA-GMS) -- To end, finish, die, complete. From a presumed derivative of teleo; to finish life, i.e. Expire.">dead man.</a> <a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">“</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">It has already been</a> <a href="/greek/5066.htm" title="5066: tetartaios (Adj-NMS) -- Of the fourth day, four days since. From tessares; pertaining to the fourth day.">four days.”</a> 40Jesus replied, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”…<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/5-28.htm">John 5:28-29</a> 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. <a href="/john/2-19.htm">John 2:19-22</a> Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.” / “This temple took forty-six years to build,” the Jews replied, “and You are going to raise it up in three days?” / But Jesus was speaking about the temple of His body. ... <a href="/luke/7-14.htm">Luke 7:14-15</a> Then He went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. “Young man,” He said, “I tell you, get up!” / And the dead man sat up and began to speak! Then Jesus gave him back to his mother. <a href="/mark/5-41.htm">Mark 5:41-42</a> Taking her by the hand, Jesus said, “Talitha koum!” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!” / Immediately the girl got up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). And at once they were utterly astounded. <a href="/matthew/9-24.htm">Matthew 9:24-25</a> “Go away,” He told them. “The girl is not dead, but asleep.” And they laughed at Him. / After the crowd had been put outside, Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. <a href="/acts/9-40.htm">Acts 9:40-41</a> Then Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down and prayed, and turning toward her body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. / Peter took her by the hand and helped her up. Then he called the saints and widows and presented her to them alive. <a href="/1_corinthians/15-42.htm">1 Corinthians 15:42-44</a> So will it be with the resurrection of the dead: What is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable. / It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. / It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. <a href="/romans/8-11.htm">Romans 8:11</a> And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you. <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-16.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:16</a> For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise. <a href="/revelation/20-13.htm">Revelation 20:13</a> The sea gave up its dead, and Death and Hades gave up their dead, and each one was judged according to his deeds. <a href="/genesis/3-19.htm">Genesis 3:19</a> By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground—because out of it were you taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.” <a href="/isaiah/26-19.htm">Isaiah 26:19</a> 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. <a href="/ezekiel/37-12.htm">Ezekiel 37:12-14</a> Therefore prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘O My people, I will open your graves and bring you up from them, and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. / Then you, My people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. / I will put My Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will do it, declares the LORD.’” <a href="/daniel/12-2.htm">Daniel 12:2</a> And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt. <a href="/2_kings/4-32.htm">2 Kings 4:32-35</a> When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his bed. / So he went in, closed the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the LORD. / Then Elisha got on the bed and lay on the boy, mouth to mouth, eye to eye, and hand to hand. As he stretched himself out over him, the boy’s body became warm. ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Jesus said, Take you away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, said to him, Lord, by this time he stinks: for he has been dead four days.Take.<a href="/mark/16-3.htm">Mark 16:3</a> And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?Lord.<a href="/john/11-17.htm">John 11:17</a> Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.<a href="/genesis/3-19.htm">Genesis 3:19</a> In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.<a href="/genesis/23-4.htm">Genesis 23:4</a> I am a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a buryingplace with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/11-17.htm">Already</a> <a href="/john/7-38.htm">Body</a> <a href="/john/11-38.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-18.htm">Decayeth</a> <a href="/matthew/22-25.htm">Deceased</a> <a href="/john/11-37.htm">Died</a> <a href="/john/11-32.htm">Exclaimed</a> <a href="/luke/11-24.htm">Foul</a> <a href="/john/11-17.htm">Four</a> <a href="/john/11-38.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/john/11-30.htm">Martha</a> <a href="/john/11-34.htm">Master</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-41.htm">Odor</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-13.htm">Offensive</a> <a href="/john/7-3.htm">Remove</a> <a href="/john/11-28.htm">Sister</a> <a href="/amos/5-21.htm">Smell</a> <a href="/songs/5-13.htm">Smelling</a> <a href="/amos/4-10.htm">Stench</a> <a href="/isaiah/50-2.htm">Stinketh</a> <a href="/john/11-38.htm">Stone</a> <a href="/john/11-17.htm">Three</a> <a href="/john/11-30.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/13-2.htm">Already</a> <a href="/john/11-52.htm">Body</a> <a href="/john/11-41.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/hebrews/8-13.htm">Decayeth</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-17.htm">Deceased</a> <a href="/john/12-1.htm">Died</a> <a href="/john/18-35.htm">Exclaimed</a> <a href="/acts/8-7.htm">Foul</a> <a href="/john/19-23.htm">Four</a> <a href="/john/11-40.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/john/12-2.htm">Martha</a> <a href="/john/13-6.htm">Master</a> <a href="/john/12-3.htm">Odor</a> <a href="/exodus/7-18.htm">Offensive</a> <a href="/john/13-1.htm">Remove</a> <a href="/john/19-25.htm">Sister</a> <a href="/john/12-3.htm">Smell</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/12-17.htm">Smelling</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/2-16.htm">Stench</a> <a href="/exodus/7-21.htm">Stinketh</a> <a href="/john/11-41.htm">Stone</a> <a href="/john/12-5.htm">Three</a> <a href="/john/11-54.htm">Time</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>“Take away the stone,” Jesus said. This command by Jesus is significant as it demonstrates His authority over life and death. The stone covering the tomb was a common burial practice in ancient Jewish culture, used to seal the entrance of a cave-like tomb. Jesus' directive to remove the stone is a precursor to the miracle He is about to perform, showing His power over the grave. This act also requires faith from those present, as removing the stone would expose the decaying body. Theologically, this can be seen as a foreshadowing of Jesus' own resurrection, where the stone was also rolled away from His tomb.“Lord, by now he stinks,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man. Martha's response highlights the human perspective and the reality of death. Her concern about the odor indicates that Lazarus has been dead long enough for decomposition to begin, which in Jewish belief, signified that the soul had left the body. This detail underscores the hopelessness of the situation from a human standpoint, making the miracle even more profound. Martha's address to Jesus as "Lord" shows her respect and belief in His power, yet her statement reveals a struggle to fully comprehend His ability to overcome death.“It has already been four days.” The mention of four days is crucial in understanding the magnitude of the miracle. In Jewish tradition, it was believed that the soul hovered around the body for three days after death, hoping to re-enter it. By the fourth day, the soul was thought to have departed, making resurrection impossible. This timing emphasizes that Lazarus' resurrection is a divine act, beyond any natural explanation. It also serves to strengthen the faith of the witnesses and foreshadows Jesus' own resurrection, which would occur on the third day, defying expectations and affirming His identity as the Son of God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> The central figure in this passage, Jesus is about to perform a miraculous act that demonstrates His power over life and death. 2. <a href="/topical/m/martha.htm">Martha</a> The sister of Lazarus, she expresses concern about the practical implications of opening the tomb, showing her human perspective and doubt. 3. <a href="/topical/l/lazarus.htm">Lazarus</a> The deceased brother of Martha and Mary, whose resurrection will serve as a powerful sign of Jesus' divine authority. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_tomb.htm">The Tomb</a> The place where Lazarus is buried, symbolizing death and the finality of human life without divine intervention. 5. <a href="/topical/b/bethany.htm">Bethany</a> The village where this event takes place, located near Jerusalem, and a place where Jesus often visited.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/f/faith_overcomes_doubt.htm">Faith Overcomes Doubt</a> Martha's initial doubt is a common human reaction, but Jesus calls us to trust in His power and promises, even when circumstances seem impossible. <a href="/topical/j/jesus'_authority_over_death.htm">Jesus' Authority Over Death</a> This event foreshadows Jesus' own resurrection and His ultimate victory over death, offering hope to all believers. <a href="/topical/o/obedience_precedes_miracles.htm">Obedience Precedes Miracles</a> Jesus commands the stone to be removed, requiring an act of obedience before the miracle occurs. Our obedience can be a precursor to witnessing God's power. <a href="/topical/g/god's_timing_is_perfect.htm">God's Timing is Perfect</a> Lazarus had been dead for four days, emphasizing that God's timing, though it may seem delayed, is always perfect for His purposes. <a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_jesus'_word.htm">The Power of Jesus' Word</a> Jesus' command to remove the stone demonstrates the authority of His word, which can bring life and transformation.<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/why_is_a_body_intact_after_4_days.htm">How could a body remain intact after four days of decay (John 11:39)? </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/what_happened_to_lazarus_after_rising.htm">What occurred to Lazarus post-resurrection?</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 name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/11.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(39) Martha, the sister of him that was dead.--This fact of close relationship is mentioned again to account for her remark. We know, from the whole narrative, that she was his sister; but this verse would say, not simply that Martha spoke, but that that in Martha which was sister to him who was dead spoke. She thinks that the form of him she loved has now passed to corruption; she cannot bear that her own eyes or the eyes of others should see it.For he hath been dead four days.--The word "dead" is not expressed in the Greek, which says literally, for he hath been of the fourth day; and the thought is rather of the sepulchre than of death--"for he hath been in the sepulchre four days." (Comp. <a href="/john/11-17.htm" title="Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.">John 11:17</a>.) The body had been embalmed (<a href="/john/11-44.htm" title="And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus said to them, Loose him, and let him go.">John 11:44</a>); but the manner of the Jews was to embalm only with spice, and to wrap in linen clothes (<a href="/context/john/19-40.htm" title="Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.">John 19:40-42</a>), and there is no evidence that they at any time followed the Egyptian method of embalming. The only instance of Jewish embalming mentioned in the Old Testament is that of Asa (<a href="/2_chronicles/16-14.htm" title="And they buried him in his own sepulchers, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odors and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries' are: and they made a very great burning for him.">2Chronicles 16:14</a>).The fact that the body had been in the sepulcher four days is given by the sister as a proof that decomposition must have taken place, and expositors have generally assumed that it was so. This is, however, not stated in the text, and the assumption is opposed by the fact that there was an interval during which the sepulchre was open, and Jesus prayed to the Father (<a href="/context/john/11-41.htm" title="Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank you that you have heard me.">John 11:41-42</a>). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/11.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 39. - Jesus saith, Take ye away the stone. Ἄρατε has rather the idea of "lift" than "roll away;" it is used for "take," "take away," "carry as a burden." Martha, the sister of him that was dead, said unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been four days here. Martha's language is another singular illustration of the desire on her part to give a certain kind of advice and direction to our Lord, as though he might be the wiser and bettor for her monitions. The characterization of her as "the sister of the dead" man is not needed for identification, but rather to explain or justify her intrusion upon the solemn, stately direction of the Lord. She shrank from such an exposure of the body of her beloved brother, as an unnecessary act, since he was only to rise at the last day, or to be regarded by his faith in Christ before his death as having already passed from death and through death into a new life. She must have relinquished at that moment all hope of resurrection of the body of Lazarus there and then: ἤδη ὄζει, "he already stinketh." This is explained by many of the Fathers as proof that our Lord not only raised from death-swoon Jairus's daughter, and the young man on his way to burial, but also a putrefying corpse; thus giving three symbols of the effects of sin: (1) a young life blighted; (2) a man's energies dissipated and his condition apparently hopeless; and (3) a type also of one dead in trespasses and sins (Trench on the Miracles) - one whose habits of trespass and bondage to evil seem to forbid all renewal. Godet thinks that Martha had special reasons for such a speech. Others, that all that we have here is the speculation or lanai of Martha, and that it must be so. She puts one more arrest, as it would seem, upon the free act and love of Jesus. This seems quite sufficient to account for the use of the word. It would seem that, for some reason, the body had not been fully embalmed, or she would not have used the expression. Still, all had been done with spices and perfumes that was intended. The Tübingen criticism eagerly lays hold on this point, as proof that the fourth evangelist intended by such a touch to exalt and exaggerate the wonder-working power of Christ. There is no need whatever to see in it more than Martha's sisterly love getting the better of her submission to her Master's order. Τετερταῖος γάρ ἐστι, "For he is of the fourth day (dead) (buried)." On the fourth day the countenance changes, and, as the Jewish proverb urged, the spirit takes its flight from the sepulcher, and no longer hovers over the departed form. <a href="/commentaries/john/11-39.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>“Take away Ἄρατε (Arate) Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_142.htm">Strong's 142: </a> To raise, lift up, take away, remove. the τὸν (ton) Article - Accusative Masculine 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. stone,” λίθον (lithon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3037.htm">Strong's 3037: </a> A stone; met: of Jesus as the chief stone in a building. Apparently a primary word; a stone. Jesus Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites. said. λέγει (legei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. “Lord, Κύριε (Kyrie) Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2962.htm">Strong's 2962: </a> Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master. by now ἤδη (ēdē) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_2235.htm">Strong's 2235: </a> Already; now at length, now after all this waiting. Apparently from e and de; even now. he stinks,” ὄζει (ozei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> To stink, be offensive. A primary verb; to scent: stink. said Λέγει (Legei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. Martha, Μάρθα (Martha) Noun - Nominative 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. the ἡ (hē) Article - Nominative 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. sister ἀδελφὴ (adelphē) Noun - Nominative 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. of the τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Masculine 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. dead [man]. τετελευτηκότος (teteleutēkotos) Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5053.htm">Strong's 5053: </a> To end, finish, die, complete. From a presumed derivative of teleo; to finish life, i.e. Expire. “It has already been ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present 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. four days.” τεταρταῖος (tetartaios) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5066.htm">Strong's 5066: </a> Of the fourth day, four days since. From tessares; pertaining to the fourth day. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/11-39.htm">John 11:39 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/11-39.htm">John 11:39 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/11-39.htm">John 11:39 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/11-39.htm">John 11:39 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/11-39.htm">John 11:39 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/11-39.htm">John 11:39 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/11-39.htm">John 11:39 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/11-39.htm">John 11:39 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/11-39.htm">John 11:39 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/11-39.htm">John 11:39 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/11-39.htm">NT Gospels: John 11:39 Jesus said Take away the stone (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/11-38.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 11:38"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 11:38" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/11-40.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 11:40"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 11:40" /></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>