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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.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/11-20.htm" title="John 11:20">◄</a> John 11:21 <a href="/john/11-22.htm" title="John 11:22">►</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 />&#8220Lord,&#8221 Martha said to Jesus, &#8220if you had been here, my brother would not have died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/john/11.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/john/11.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/john/11.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Then Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/john/11.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/john/11.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/john/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Martha then said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/john/11.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Martha then said to Jesus, &#8220Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/john/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Martha therefore said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/john/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Martha then said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/john/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/john/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/john/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Martha said to Jesus, &#8220Lord, if You had been here, my brother wouldn&#8217t have died. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/john/11.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Martha therefore said unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/john/11.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/john/11.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Martha therefore said unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/john/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Martha told Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/john/11.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Martha said to Jesus, "If you had been here, Lord, my brother would not have died! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/john/11.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Martha told Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/john/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Martha said to Jesus, ?Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/john/11.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/john/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Therefore Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you would have been here, my brother would not have died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/john/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Then said Martha to Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />So Martha came and spoke to Jesus. "Master, if you had been here," she said, "my brother would not have died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/john/11.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Therefore Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you would have been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/john/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Martha, therefore, said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother had not died;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Then Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/john/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Martha, therefore, said unto Jesus, 'Sir, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/john/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Then said Martha to Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/john/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Martha therefore said to Jesus: Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/john/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And then Martha said to Jesus: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/john/11.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/john/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/john/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Then Martha said to Jesus, My Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.<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 />And Martha said to Yeshua, “My Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/john/11.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Then Martha said to Jesus: Lord, if thou hadst been here my brother would not have died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/john/11.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />Then Martha said to Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/john/11.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />And Martha said to Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/john/11.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />Lord, said Martha to Jesus, if you had been here, my brother had not been dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />So Martha came and spoke to Jesus. "Master, if you had been here," she said, "my brother would not have died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/john/11.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />Martha, therefore, said to Jesus, "Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother would not have died;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/john/11.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />And Martha said unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/john/11-21.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=4009" 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">Jesus Comforts Martha and Mary</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">20</span>So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet Him; but Mary stayed at home. <span class="reftext">21</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/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."></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/2036.htm" title="2036: Eipen (V-AIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">said</a> <a href="/greek/4314.htm" title="4314: pros (Prep) -- To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.">to</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."></a> <a href="/greek/2424.htm" title="2424: Iēsoun (N-AMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.">Jesus,</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/1510.htm" title="1510: ēs (V-IIA-2S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">You had been</a> <a href="/greek/5602.htm" title="5602: hōde (Adv) -- From an adverb form of hode; in this same spot, i.e. Here or hither.">here,</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: mou (PPro-G1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">my</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/80.htm" title="80: adelphos (N-NMS) -- A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.">brother</a> <a href="/greek/302.htm" title="302: an (Prtcl) -- A primary particle, denoting a supposition, wish, possibility or uncertainty."></a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/599.htm" title="599: apethanen (V-AIA-3S) -- To be dying, be about to die, wither, decay. From apo and thnesko; to die off.">would not have died.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">22</span>But even now I know that God will give You whatever You ask of Him.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/11-32.htm">John 11:32</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/11-37.htm">John 11:37</a></span><br />But some of them asked, “Could not this man who opened the eyes of the blind also have kept Lazarus from dying?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/4-49.htm">John 4:49</a></span><br />“Sir,” the official said, “come down before my child dies.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/6-68.htm">John 6:68</a></span><br />Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/14-5.htm">John 14:5</a></span><br />“Lord,” said Thomas, “we do not know where You are going, so how can we know the way?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/20-25.htm">John 20:25</a></span><br />So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands, and put my finger where the nails have been, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/7-6.htm">Luke 7:6-7</a></span><br />So Jesus went with them. But when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends with the message: “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. / That is why I did not consider myself worthy to come to You. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/8-49.htm">Luke 8:49</a></span><br />While He was still speaking, someone arrived from the house of the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he told Jairus. “Do not bother the Teacher anymore.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/8-25.htm">Matthew 8:25</a></span><br />The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/9-18.htm">Matthew 9:18</a></span><br />While Jesus was saying these things, a synagogue leader came and knelt before Him. “My daughter has just died,” he said. “But come and place Your hand on her, and she will live.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/5-23.htm">Mark 5:23</a></span><br />and pleaded with Him urgently, “My little daughter is near death. Please come and place Your hands on her, so that she will be healed and live.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/9-22.htm">Mark 9:22</a></span><br />“It often throws him into the fire or into the water, trying to kill him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-25.htm">Matthew 15:25</a></span><br />The woman came and knelt before Him. “Lord, help me!” she said.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/4-28.htm">2 Kings 4:28</a></span><br />Then she said, “Did I ask you for a son, my lord? Didn’t I say, ‘Do not deceive me?’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/5-3.htm">2 Kings 5:3</a></span><br />She said to her mistress, “If only my master would go to the prophet who is in Samaria, he would cure him of his leprosy.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Then said Martha to Jesus, Lord, if you had been here, my brother had not died.</p><p class="hdg">if.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/11-32.htm">John 11:32,37</a></b></br> Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/4-47.htm">John 4:47-49</a></b></br> When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/17-18.htm">1 Kings 17:18</a></b></br> And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/11-15.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/john/11-14.htm">Died</a> <a href="/john/4-10.htm">Hadst</a> <a href="/john/11-20.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/john/11-20.htm">Martha</a> <a href="/john/11-12.htm">Master</a> <a href="/john/11-12.htm">Sir</a> <a href="/john/7-1.htm">Wouldn't</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/11-24.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/john/11-25.htm">Died</a> <a href="/john/11-32.htm">Hadst</a> <a href="/john/11-23.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/john/11-24.htm">Martha</a> <a href="/john/11-27.htm">Master</a> <a href="/john/11-27.htm">Sir</a> <a href="/john/11-32.htm">Wouldn't</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>Martha said to Jesus</b><br>Martha, the sister of Mary and Lazarus, is often depicted in the Gospels as a practical and outspoken woman. Her approach to Jesus here reflects her direct and candid nature. In the cultural context of first-century Judea, women were typically not in positions to speak so directly to men, especially a rabbi, indicating the close relationship and respect Jesus had with this family. This interaction takes place in Bethany, a village near Jerusalem, which was a frequent stop for Jesus and His disciples.<p><b>Lord</b><br>By addressing Jesus as "Lord," Martha acknowledges His authority and divinity. This title is significant as it reflects her faith in Jesus' power and position, even amidst her grief. The term "Lord" is used throughout the New Testament to denote respect and recognition of Jesus' divine nature, aligning with Old Testament references to God as Lord.<p><b>if You had been here</b><br>Martha's statement reveals her belief in Jesus' ability to heal the sick, a belief grounded in the many miracles He performed throughout His ministry. This phrase also reflects a common human tendency to question and express regret in times of loss. It highlights the tension between faith and understanding God's timing and purposes.<p><b>my brother would not have died</b><br>This part of the statement underscores Martha's faith in Jesus' healing power, yet it also reveals her limited understanding of His authority over life and death. Lazarus' death sets the stage for one of Jesus' most profound miracles, foreshadowing His own resurrection. This event is a pivotal moment in the Gospel of John, demonstrating Jesus' power over death and His identity as the resurrection and the life, as He later declares in <a href="/john/11-25.htm">John 11:25</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/martha.htm">Martha</a></b><br>The sister of Mary and Lazarus, known for her practical nature and hospitality. She expresses her faith in Jesus, even in her grief.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a></b><br>The central figure of the New Testament, the Son of God, who demonstrates His power over life and death in this chapter.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/l/lazarus.htm">Lazarus</a></b><br>The brother of Martha and Mary, whose death and subsequent resurrection by Jesus is a pivotal event in the Gospel of John.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/b/bethany.htm">Bethany</a></b><br>The village near Jerusalem where Martha, Mary, and Lazarus lived. It becomes the setting for this miraculous event.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_resurrection_of_lazarus.htm">The Resurrection of Lazarus</a></b><br>A significant miracle performed by Jesus, showcasing His divine authority and foreshadowing His own resurrection.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_amidst_grief.htm">Faith Amidst Grief</a></b><br>Martha's statement reflects a deep faith in Jesus, even in her sorrow. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's presence and power, even when circumstances seem dire.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_sovereignty_of_god.htm">The Sovereignty of God</a></b><br>This passage reminds us that God's timing and plans are perfect, even when they are not immediately apparent to us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_jesus.htm">The Power of Jesus</a></b><br>Jesus' ability to raise Lazarus from the dead demonstrates His divine authority and foreshadows His own resurrection, offering hope to believers.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_honest_prayer.htm">The Importance of Honest Prayer</a></b><br>Martha's honest expression of her feelings to Jesus encourages believers to bring their true emotions and concerns to God in prayer.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_the_resurrection.htm">Hope in the Resurrection</a></b><br>The promise of resurrection and eternal life is central to Christian hope, providing comfort and assurance in the face of death.<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/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/bethany's_role_in_the_bible.htm">What is Bethany's significance in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_lazarus's_resurrection_important.htm">What is the significance of Lazarus's resurrection by Jesus?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_john_denying_being_elijah_a_contradiction.htm">In Matthew 11:14, Jesus identifies John as Elijah, but John 1:21 records John denying this. Is that a contradiction?</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>(21) <span class= "bld">Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.</span>--We have exactly the same words spoken by Mary in <a href="/john/11-32.htm" title="Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying to him, Lord, if you had been here, my brother had not died.">John 11:32</a>. They are the utterance of the thought which had already been expressed in their message (<a href="/john/11-3.htm" title="Therefore his sisters sent to him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom you love is sick.">John 11:3</a>), and had, we may think, been spoken more than once by the sisters to each other. These sisters are among the many who had received our Lord in the fulness of a true faith, of whom the Gospel narrative tells us nothing, or gives us, as here, but a passing glimpse. Their belief is stated in the definiteness of full conviction; but they, like the courtier, connect the power to save with the bodily presence of our Lord. (Comp. <a href="/john/4-49.htm" title="The nobleman said to him, Sir, come down ere my child die.">John 4:49</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/11.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Martha therefore (having met her Lord) said unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here</span> - the <span class="greek">εἰ η΅ς ω΅δε</span> expresses no complaint: "If thou hadst been here," a simple condition of what is now an impossible event - <span class="cmt_word">my brother had not died.</span> Meyer says, "If thou weft making thy residence in Bethany rather than in Peraea." This is somewhat unnatural, and would have been a complaint. Her faith had at least ground enough for this assurance, but she mounts above it. The two sisters, with their contrasted natures, had grasped the life-giving, joy-diffusing, heaven-revealing powers of Jesus. They had believed in him, with a gracious abandonment of all prejudice and in the sweeping force of a great illuminating love. They had said often this same thing to one another, and now Martha pours her high persuasion into the ears of her Lord; but she proceeds further. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/john/11-21.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">Martha</span><br /><span class="grk">Μάρθα</span> <span class="translit">(Martha)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3136.htm">Strong's 3136: </a> </span><span class="str2">Martha, sister of Mary and Lazarus of Bethany. Probably of Chaldee origin; Martha, a Christian woman.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">said</span><br /><span class="grk">Εἶπεν</span> <span class="translit">(Eipen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<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">to</span><br /><span class="grk">πρὸς</span> <span class="translit">(pros)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4314.htm">Strong's 4314: </a> </span><span class="str2">To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Jesus,</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἰησοῦν</span> <span class="translit">(Iēsoun)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> </span><span class="str2">Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“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">You had been</span><br /><span class="grk">ἦς</span> <span class="translit">(ēs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">here,</span><br /><span class="grk">ὧδε</span> <span class="translit">(hōde)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5602.htm">Strong's 5602: </a> </span><span class="str2">From an adverb form of hode; in this same spot, i.e. Here or hither.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my</span><br /><span class="grk">μου</span> <span class="translit">(mou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> </span><span class="str2">I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">brother</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀδελφός</span> <span class="translit">(adelphos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_80.htm">Strong's 80: </a> </span><span class="str2">A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">would not have died.</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀπέθανεν</span> <span class="translit">(apethanen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_599.htm">Strong's 599: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be dying, be about to die, wither, decay. From apo and thnesko; to die off.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/11-21.htm">John 11:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/john/11-21.htm">John 11:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/john/11-21.htm">John 11:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/john/11-21.htm">John 11:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/john/11-21.htm">John 11:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/john/11-21.htm">John 11:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/11-21.htm">John 11:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/11-21.htm">John 11:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/john/11-21.htm">John 11:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/john/11-21.htm">John 11:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/john/11-21.htm">NT Gospels: John 11:21 Therefore Martha said to Jesus Lord if (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/11-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 11:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 11:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/11-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 11:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 11:22" /></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>