John 11:11
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.
John 11:11 (KJV)
Context
John 11:11 comes from the Gospel of John, during the account of Lazarus of Bethany, the brother of Mary and Martha. Jesus has just received word that Lazarus is sick, yet He deliberately remains where He is for two more days (John 11:6). Before this verse, Jesus tells His disciples that Lazarus’s illness will not end in death but will glorify God (John 11:4). In verse 11, Jesus turns from that teaching to announce His intention to go to Lazarus.
Meaning
Jesus says, “Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.” The word “sleepeth” is a metaphor for death, a common expression in the Old Testament and Jewish writings, especially for the righteous. Jesus uses this gentle term to describe Lazarus’s physical death, not a state of eternal sleep. The metaphor emphasizes the temporary nature of death and the hope of resurrection. When Jesus says, “I go, that I may awake him,” He declares His authority over death and His purpose to raise Lazarus. The phrase “our friend” also shows Jesus’s personal love for Lazarus and his sisters, reminding readers that Jesus acts not only with divine power but with deep compassion.
Jesus’s statement also reveals His divine knowledge. He knows Lazarus has died even before arriving in Bethany. The disciples, however, misunderstand and think Jesus means natural sleep (John 11:12-13). Jesus then speaks plainly: “Lazarus is dead” (John 11:14). This misunderstanding highlights that Jesus’s words carry a deeper meaning than His hearers first grasp.
Biblical connections
The raising of Lazarus points forward to Jesus’s own resurrection and to the promise of eternal life for believers. In John 11:25, Jesus declares, “I am the resurrection, and the life,” a claim that this miracle visibly demonstrates. The metaphor of sleep also connects to the hope that believers who die will be awakened to eternal life. Jesus’s deliberate delay in going to Lazarus serves a purpose: it allows Lazarus to die so that God’s glory can be displayed through the resurrection. This event foreshadows Jesus’s own victory over death and sin.
Application
Assurance of eternal life: John 11:11 reminds believers that death is not the end. Just as Jesus awakened Lazarus, He will raise all who believe in Him to eternal life.
Comfort in grief: The metaphor of sleep brings comfort to those who have lost loved ones in Christ. It assures us that death is a temporary state before the resurrection, offering hope in sorrow.
Trusting God’s timing: Jesus’s delay teaches us to trust God’s timing, even when it seems contrary to our expectations. His plan is for His glory and our ultimate good, and He is in control even in difficult circumstances.
Reflection
Jesus’s words to His disciples call us to see death through His eyes. He does not treat death as a final defeat but as a sleep from which He will awaken His friends. This truth invites us to face our own mortality and the loss of others with hope, knowing that Jesus holds the keys of life and death. His power over death is not distant or impersonal; it is exercised in love for His friends. As we trust in Him, we can rest in the assurance that He will one day awaken all who belong to Him.
