John 11:15

And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.

John 11:15 (KJV)

Context

John 11 records Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Lazarus was the brother of Martha and Mary, and he fell ill. Jesus received news of the illness but deliberately delayed His arrival. When He reached Bethany, Lazarus had already been dead for four days. Martha went out to meet Jesus, and the Gospel records both His compassionate weeping and His declaration of gladness that He was not present, so that the disciples might believe.

Meaning

Jesus expresses gladness that He was not present when Lazarus died, stating that the purpose is that His disciples may believe. His sorrow underscores His humanity and love for those who mourn, while His gladness sets the stage for a greater miracle—raising Lazarus back to life. This dual expression serves to strengthen the faith of His disciples and to inspire belief in others, providing evidence of His divine power.

Jesus’ gladness is not callousness toward grief but is focused on the spiritual benefit of His followers. His delay was purposeful, allowing for a more profound display of His power and glory. The phrase “to the intent ye may believe” indicates that the miracle of raising Lazarus was designed to confirm and deepen the disciples’ trust in Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God.

Biblical connections

Faith and belief are central themes throughout the Gospel of John. Jesus’ actions invite His disciples to trust in Him as the Son of God, and the raising of Lazarus serves as a decisive sign that deepens their faith and confirms Jesus’ identity as the Messiah. This connects to the broader Johannine theme that signs are given so that people may believe that Jesus is the Christ (John 20:30-31). Jesus’ words also model a concern for the faith of His disciples, as He prioritizes their spiritual growth over immediate comfort.

Application

Jesus’ delay in coming to Lazarus’ aid may have seemed puzzling and frustrating to those who loved Lazarus. However, the timing allowed for a more profound display of His power and glory. This reminds believers to trust in God’s timing, even when circumstances seem difficult or unclear, because God always has a purpose. The account of Lazarus’ resurrection encourages us to have faith and believe in Jesus’ power to bring life to dead situations. Just as Jesus called Lazarus out of the tomb, He can bring renewal to areas of our lives that feel hopeless.

Reflection

Jesus’ call to “let us go unto him” demonstrates His willingness to face danger, as the disciples had earlier warned Him of the Jews’ attempts to stone Him (John 11:8). This sets the stage for Jesus’ voluntary journey to Bethany, which ultimately leads to His own passion. The verse thus combines Christological revelation with practical discipleship: Jesus is both the sovereign Lord who works all things for belief and the obedient Son who goes to the place of danger for the sake of His friends. The believer’s response is to trust and follow, even when the path is unclear.