John 11:40

Iesus saith vnto her, Said I not vnto thee, that if thou wouldst beleeue, thou shouldest see the glory of God? John 11:40 (KJV)

Jesus saith unto her,

Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? John 11:40 (KJV)

John 11:40 occurs within the dramatic account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Prior to this statement Jesus had arrived at the tomb where Lazarus had lain for four days. Martha, the sister of Lazarus, had expressed both a belief that the resurrection was real and a lament that, had Jesus been present earlier, her brother would not have died. She also noted the condition of the body, saying, “Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days” (John 11:39). In response, Jesus speaks the words recorded in verse 40.

Faith and Belief:

In this brief utterance Jesus tells Martha that if she believes, she will see the glory of God. The statement both reminds her of his earlier encouragement to trust in Him and serves as a direct promise that belief will bring her into the experience of divine power. The emphasis is clear: belief in Jesus is the gateway to witnessing God’s manifest glory.

Seeing the Glory of God:

The “glory of God” that Jesus refers to is displayed in the very act of raising Lazarus from the dead. By believing, Martha would witness a tangible demonstration of God’s power over death. The resurrection of Lazarus becomes a sign that God’s glory is not abstract but can be seen in miraculous, life‑giving action.

Application to Our Lives:

The verse teaches contemporary believers that faith is essential for encountering God’s power. Just as Jesus invited Martha to trust Him, He invites each of us to place our confidence in His promises. When we exercise genuine belief, we position ourselves to experience the same resurrection power, provision, and glory that transformed Lazarus’ tomb.

Strengthening Our Faith:

Difficult or seemingly hopeless circumstances—like a loved one’s death—can tempt us to despair. Yet Jesus repeatedly declares, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). By holding fast to that truth, believers can trust that even the most final‑seeming situations are subject to God’s life‑giving authority. Faith, therefore, empowers us to expect the impossible and to witness God’s glory at work in our own lives.