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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 11:11 After He had said this, He told them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to wake him up."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/11-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/43_Jhn_11_11.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 11:11 - The Death of Lazarus" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="After He had said this, He told them, Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to wake him up." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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but I am going there to wake him up.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/john/11.htm">New Living Translation</a> Then he said, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up.” <a href="/esv/john/11.htm">English Standard Version</a> After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” <a href="/bsb/john/11.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> After He had said this, He told them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to wake him up.” <a href="/blb/john/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> He said these things, and after this He says to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go that I may awaken him." <a href="/kjv/john/11.htm">King James Bible</a> These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. <a href="/nkjv/john/11.htm">New King James Version</a> These things He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.” <a href="/nasb_/john/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> This He said, and after this He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going so that I may awaken him from sleep.” <a href="/nasb/john/11.htm">NASB 1995</a> This He said, and after that He said to them, &#8220Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/john/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a> This He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, that I may awaken him out of sleep.” <a href="/lsb/john/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> He said these things, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him.” <a href="/amp/john/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a> He said this, and after that said, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him.” <a href="/csb/john/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> He said this, and then he told them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I’m on my way to wake him up.” <a href="/hcsb/john/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> He said this, and then He told them, &#8220Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I&#8217m on My way to wake him up.&#8221 <a href="/asv/john/11.htm">American Standard Version</a> These things spake he: and after this he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus is fallen asleep; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. <a href="/cev/john/11.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Then he told them, "Our friend Lazarus is asleep, and I am going there to wake him up." <a href="/erv/john/11.htm">English Revised Version</a> These things spake he: and after this he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus is fallen asleep; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. <a href="/gwt/john/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> After Jesus said this, he told his disciples, "Our friend Lazarus is sleeping, and I'm going to Bethany to wake him." <a href="/gnt/john/11.htm">Good News Translation</a> Jesus said this and then added, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I will go and wake him up." <a href="/isv/john/11.htm">International Standard Version</a> These were the things he said. Then after this, he told them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I'm leaving to wake him up." <a href="/msb/john/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> After He had said this, He told them, ?Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to wake him up.? <a href="/net/john/11.htm">NET Bible</a> After he said this, he added, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep. But I am going there to awaken him." <a href="/nheb/john/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> He said these things, and after that, he said to them, "Our friend, Lazarus, has fallen asleep, but I am going so that I may awake him out of sleep." <a href="/wbt/john/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> These things he said: and after that he saith to them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go that I may awake him out of sleep. <a href="/wey/john/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> He said this, and afterwards He added, "Our friend Lazarus is sleeping, but I will go and wake him." <a href="/web/john/11.htm">World English Bible</a> He said these things, and after that, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going so that I may awake him out of sleep.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> He said these things, and after this He says to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go on that I may awake him”; <a href="/blb/john/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> He said these things, and after this He says to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go that I may awaken him." <a href="/ylt/john/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> These things he said, and after this he saith to them, 'Lazarus our friend hath fallen asleep, but I go on that I may awake him;' <a href="/slt/john/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> These things said he: and after this he says to them, Lazarus our friend has been set to sleep; but I go, that I might waken him.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> These things he said; and after that he said to them: Lazarus our friend sleepeth; but I go that I may awake him out of sleep. <a href="/cpdv/john/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> He said these things, and after this, he said to them: “Lazarus our friend is sleeping. But I am going, so that I may awaken him from sleep.” <a href="/nabre/john/11.htm">New American Bible</a> He said this, and then told them, “Our friend Lazarus is asleep, but I am going to awaken him.” <a href="/nrsvce/john/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> After saying this, he told them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to awaken him.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Jesus said these things; and after that he said to them, Our friend Lazarus is asleep; but I am going to awake him. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/11.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> These things Yeshua said and afterwards he said to them, “Lazar our friend is resting; I am going that I may awaken him.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/11.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Thus spoke he; and after this he said to them: Our friend Lazarus sleeps; but I go that I may awake him out of sleep. <a href="/godbey/john/11.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> He spoke these things: and after this He says to them, <FR>Our friend Lazarus is asleep; and I go that I may awaken him.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/john/11.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> These things said he: and after that he saith to them, Our friend Lazarus is asleep; but I go to waken him up. <a href="/mace/john/11.htm">Mace New Testament</a> thus he entertain'd them: and after that, he said to them, our friend Lazarus is asleep; but I am going to awake him. <a href="/wey/john/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> He said this, and afterwards He added, "Our friend Lazarus is sleeping, but I will go and wake him." <a href="/worrell/john/11.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> These things He spake; and after this He saith to them, <FR>"Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going to awake him out of sleep."<Fr> <a href="/worsley/john/11.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Having thus answered them, He afterwards saith unto them, <FR>Our friend Lazarus is asleep; but I am going to awake him.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/john/11-11.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=3936" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/11.htm">The Death of Lazarus</a> …10But if anyone walks at night, he will stumble, because he has no light.” 11<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/3326.htm" title="3326: meta (Prep) -- (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives. ">After</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: touto (DPro-ANS) -- This; he, she, it. "></a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipen (V-AIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">He had said</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: Tauta (DPro-ANP) -- This; he, she, it. ">this,</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. ">He told</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autois (PPro-DM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">them,</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmōn (PPro-G1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">“Our</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/5384.htm" title="5384: philos (Adj-NMS) -- Friendly; subst: a friend, an associate. Properly, dear, i.e. A friend; actively, fond, i.e. Friendly.">friend</a> <a href="/greek/2976.htm" title="2976: Lazaros (N-NMS) -- Probably of Hebrew origin; Lazarus, the name of two Israelites.">Lazarus</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.">has fallen asleep,</a> <a href="/greek/235.htm" title="235: alla (Conj) -- But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.">but</a> <a href="/greek/4198.htm" title="4198: poreuomai (V-PIM/P-1S) -- To travel, journey, go, die. ">I am going there</a> <a href="/greek/2443.htm" title="2443: hina (Conj) -- In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.">to</a> <a href="/greek/1852.htm" title="1852: exypnisō (V-ASA-1S) -- To wake out of sleep. From exupnos; to waken.">wake him up.” </a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auton (PPro-AM3S) -- 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> 12His disciples replied, “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will get better.”…<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/11-25.htm">John 11:25-26</a> Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. / And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” <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/14-2.htm">John 14:2-3</a> In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? / And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am. <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-13.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:13-14</a> 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. <a href="/matthew/9-24.htm">Matthew 9:24</a> “Go away,” He told them. “The girl is not dead, but asleep.” And they laughed at Him. <a href="/mark/5-39.htm">Mark 5:39</a> He went inside and asked, “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead, but asleep.” <a href="/luke/8-52.htm">Luke 8:52</a> Meanwhile, everyone was weeping and mourning for her. But Jesus said, “Stop weeping; she is not dead but asleep.” <a href="/1_corinthians/15-20.htm">1 Corinthians 15:20</a> But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. <a href="/1_corinthians/15-51.htm">1 Corinthians 15:51-52</a> Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— / in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. <a href="/acts/7-60.htm">Acts 7:60</a> Falling on his knees, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. <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="/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="/job/14-12.htm">Job 14:12</a> so a man lies down and does not rise. Until the heavens are no more, he will not be awakened or roused from sleep. <a href="/psalms/17-15.htm">Psalm 17:15</a> As for me, I will behold Your face in righteousness; when I awake, I will be satisfied in Your presence. <a href="/psalms/49-15.htm">Psalm 49:15</a> But God will redeem my life from Sheol, for He will surely take me to Himself. Selah</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>These things said he: and after that he said to them, Our friend Lazarus sleeps; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.he saith.<a href="/john/3-29.htm">John 3:29</a> He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.<a href="/john/15-13.htm">John 15:13-15</a> Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends… <a href="/exodus/33-11.htm">Exodus 33:11</a> And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.sleepeth.<a href="/john/11-13.htm">John 11:13</a> Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.<a href="/deuteronomy/31-16.htm">Deuteronomy 31:16</a> And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them.<a href="/daniel/12-2.htm">Daniel 12:2</a> And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.awake.<a href="/john/11-43.htm">John 11:43,44</a> And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth… <a href="/john/5-25.htm">John 5:25-29</a> Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live… <a href="/daniel/12-2.htm">Daniel 12:2</a> And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/8-28.htm">Added</a> <a href="/john/6-71.htm">Afterwards</a> <a href="/luke/22-45.htm">Asleep</a> <a href="/luke/12-39.htm">Awake</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-7.htm">Awaken</a> <a href="/luke/22-41.htm">Fallen</a> <a href="/john/11-3.htm">Friend</a> <a href="/john/11-6.htm">Lazarus</a> <a href="/john/4-6.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/luke/22-46.htm">Sleep</a> <a href="/luke/8-52.htm">Sleepeth</a> <a href="/luke/22-46.htm">Sleeping</a> <a href="/luke/7-15.htm">Wake</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/1-26.htm">Added</a> <a href="/john/12-4.htm">Afterwards</a> <a href="/john/11-12.htm">Asleep</a> <a href="/romans/13-11.htm">Awake</a> <a href="/romans/13-11.htm">Awaken</a> <a href="/john/11-12.htm">Fallen</a> <a href="/john/11-37.htm">Friend</a> <a href="/john/11-14.htm">Lazarus</a> <a href="/john/11-13.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/john/11-12.htm">Sleep</a> <a href="/john/11-12.htm">Sleepeth</a> <a href="/acts/12-6.htm">Sleeping</a> <a href="/romans/13-11.htm">Wake</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>After He had said this This phrase refers to the preceding conversation Jesus had with His disciples. In the context of <a href="/john/11.htm">John 11</a>, Jesus had been informed of Lazarus's illness and deliberately delayed His visit to Bethany. This delay was purposeful, as Jesus intended to demonstrate His power over death, foreshadowing His own resurrection. The statement follows Jesus' declaration that He is the light of the world, emphasizing His divine authority and mission.He told them Jesus is addressing His disciples, who often struggled to understand His teachings and actions. This moment is a teaching opportunity, as Jesus prepares them for the miracle they are about to witness. The disciples' understanding of Jesus' mission and identity is gradually being revealed through His words and actions.Our friend Lazarus Lazarus is identified as a friend, indicating a personal relationship between him and Jesus. This personal connection highlights Jesus' humanity and His capacity for friendship and love. Lazarus, along with his sisters Mary and Martha, were known to be close to Jesus, as seen in other Gospel accounts. This relationship sets the stage for the emotional depth of the miracle that follows.has fallen asleep The use of "fallen asleep" is a euphemism for death, common in both Jewish and early Christian contexts. This metaphor reflects the belief in the temporary nature of death for believers, as sleep implies an eventual awakening. This language is consistent with other scriptural references, such as <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-13.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:13-14</a>, where Paul uses similar terminology to describe the death of believers.but I am going there Jesus' decision to go to Bethany, despite the danger posed by the Jewish leaders, underscores His commitment to His mission and His love for Lazarus. This journey is significant, as it takes place shortly before His final entry into Jerusalem, marking the beginning of the events leading to His crucifixion. Jesus' willingness to face danger for the sake of His friend foreshadows His ultimate sacrifice for humanity.to wake him up This phrase indicates Jesus' intention to raise Lazarus from the dead, demonstrating His power over life and death. The act of "waking up" Lazarus serves as a powerful sign of Jesus' divine authority and prefigures His own resurrection. This miracle is a pivotal moment in the Gospel of John, as it leads to increased belief among some and heightened opposition from others, ultimately contributing to the decision to arrest and crucify Jesus.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> The central figure in this passage, Jesus is the one who speaks about Lazarus. He is the Son of God, performing miracles and teaching His disciples. 2. <a href="/topical/l/lazarus.htm">Lazarus</a> A friend of Jesus who has "fallen asleep," which is a euphemism for death. Lazarus lives in Bethany and is the brother of Mary and Martha. 3. <a href="/topical/d/disciples.htm">Disciples</a> The followers of Jesus who are with Him when He makes this statement. They often struggle to understand the deeper meanings of Jesus' words. 4. <a href="/topical/b/bethany.htm">Bethany</a> The village where Lazarus, Mary, and Martha live. It is located near Jerusalem and is the setting for the miracle of Lazarus being raised from the dead. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_event_of_lazarus'_death_and_resurrection.htm">The Event of Lazarus' Death and Resurrection</a> This event is a significant miracle that demonstrates Jesus' power over death and foreshadows His own resurrection.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_death_from_a_christian_perspective.htm">Understanding Death from a Christian Perspective</a> Death is not the end for believers; it is likened to sleep, indicating a temporary state before the resurrection. <a href="/topical/j/jesus'_authority_over_life_and_death.htm">Jesus' Authority Over Life and Death</a> Jesus demonstrates His divine authority by raising Lazarus, showing that He has power over death itself. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_faith_in_jesus'_words.htm">The Importance of Faith in Jesus' Words</a> The disciples' misunderstanding highlights the need for faith and spiritual insight to grasp the deeper meanings of Jesus' teachings. <a href="/topical/h/hope_in_the_resurrection.htm">Hope in the Resurrection</a> Believers can find comfort in the promise of resurrection, as demonstrated by Jesus' actions and teachings. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_miracles_in_revealing_jesus'_identity.htm">The Role of Miracles in Revealing Jesus' Identity</a> Miracles like the raising of Lazarus serve to reveal Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God, strengthening the faith of His followers.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_11.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 11</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_bible's_middle_verse.htm">Why did Jesus weep?</a> <a href="/q/why_lack_afterlife_awareness_in_coma.htm">Why do coma patients experience no awareness of an afterlife?</a> <a href="/q/what_was_jesus'_personality_like.htm">What were Jesus' characteristics and personality like?</a> <a href="/q/was_jairus's_daughter_dead_or_in_a_coma.htm">Mark 5:35–42: Was Jairus’s daughter truly dead, or could she have been in a coma, making her “resurrection” more of a misdiagnosis? </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>(11) Our friend Lazarus sleepeth.--Better, Our friend Lazarus is fallen asleep. They had probably understood the words of <a href="/john/11-4.htm" title="When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not to death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.">John 11:4</a> to express that the illness was not mortal, and that Lazarus would recover. They have seen, therefore, no reason for facing the danger of Judaea (<a href="/context/john/11-7.htm" title="Then after that said he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.">John 11:7-8</a>). He now supplies that reason, and for the first time speaks of going to the family at Bethany.His words "our friend" gently remind them that Lazarus was their friend as well as His, for they as well as He had probably been welcome guests in the well-known house.The fact of our Lord's knowledge of the death of Lazarus is stated by St. John without any explanation. Prom his point of view it could need none. He who needed not that any should testify of man, because of His own self-knowledge of what was in man (<a href="/john/2-25.htm" title="And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.">John 2:25</a>), needed not that any should testify of what had passed in the chamber of His friend.For the idea of sleep as the image of death, comp. Notes on <a href="/john/8-51.htm" title="Truly, truly, I say to you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.">John 8:51</a>, <a href="/matthew/9-24.htm" title="He said to them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleeps. And they laughed him to scorn.">Matthew 9:24</a>, and <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-14.htm" title="For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.">1Thessalonians 4:14</a>. It is not unfrequent in other passages of both the Old and New Testaments, and, from the time of Homer downwards, poets have spoken of sleep and death as twin-sisters. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/11.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 11. - These things spake he, and probably many more words expository of the vast principle of service which he here propounded; and after this (for μετὰ τοῦτο implies a break, during which the disciples pondered his words) he saith, Our friend Lazarus; implying that Lazarus was well known to the disciples, and that the Lord classes himself here, in wondrous condescension, with them. He elsewhere speaks of the twelve as his "friends" (<a href="/john/15-14.htm">John 15:14, 15</a>, where he made it a higher designation than δοῦλοι; see also <a href="/luke/12-4.htm">Luke 12:4</a>). John the Baptist also calls himself "the Bridegroom's friend" (<a href="/john/3-29.htm">John 3:29</a>). Though Lazarus had passed into the region of the unknown and unseen, he was still" our friend." Hath fallen asleep. Meyer says that Jesus knew this by "spiritual far-seeing;" and Godet thinks that he knew it by supernatural process, and had known it all along. It does not require much beyond what we know to have occurred in thousands of instances, for our Lord to have perceived that his friend had died - had, as he said, "fallen asleep," in that new sense in which Jesus was teaching men to look on death. But I go, that I may awake him out of sleep (ἐξυπνίσω is a late Greek word; cf. <a href="/acts/16-27.htm">Acts 16:27</a>). Wunsche says the Talmud often speaks of a rabbi's death under the form of" sleep" ('Moed. K.,' fol. 28, a; cf. <a href="/matthew/9-24.htm">Matthew 9:24</a>; <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-14.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:14</a>). Homer spoke of death and sleep as "twin sisters," Christ's power and consciousness of power to awake Lazarus from sleep gives, however, to his use of the image a new meaning. It is not the eternal sleep of the Greek and Roman poets. <a href="/commentaries/john/11-11.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>After μετὰ (meta) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_3326.htm">Strong's 3326: </a> (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives. He had said εἶπεν (eipen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. this, Ταῦτα (Tauta) Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. He told 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. them, αὐτοῖς (autois) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. “Our ἡμῶν (hēmōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. friend φίλος (philos) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5384.htm">Strong's 5384: </a> Friendly; subst: a friend, an associate. Properly, dear, i.e. A friend; actively, fond, i.e. Friendly. Lazarus Λάζαρος (Lazaros) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2976.htm">Strong's 2976: </a> Probably of Hebrew origin; Lazarus, the name of two Israelites. has fallen asleep, κεκοίμηται (kekoimētai) Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2837.htm">Strong's 2837: </a> From keimai; to put to sleep, i.e. to slumber; figuratively, to decease. but ἀλλὰ (alla) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_235.htm">Strong's 235: </a> But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise. I am going [there] πορεύομαι (poreuomai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4198.htm">Strong's 4198: </a> To travel, journey, go, die. to ἵνα (hina) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2443.htm">Strong's 2443: </a> In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that. wake him up.” ἐξυπνίσω (exypnisō) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1852.htm">Strong's 1852: </a> To wake out of sleep. From exupnos; to waken. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/11-11.htm">John 11:11 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/11-11.htm">John 11:11 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/11-11.htm">John 11:11 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/11-11.htm">John 11:11 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/11-11.htm">John 11:11 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/11-11.htm">John 11:11 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/11-11.htm">John 11:11 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/11-11.htm">John 11:11 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/11-11.htm">John 11:11 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/11-11.htm">John 11:11 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/11-11.htm">NT Gospels: John 11:11 He said these things and after that (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/11-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 11:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 11:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/11-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 11:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 11:12" /></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>