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John 11:42

ESV I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me."
NIV I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me."
NASB But I knew that You always hear Me; nevertheless, because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me.'
CSB I know that you always hear me, but because of the crowd standing here I said this, so that they may believe you sent me."
NLT You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.'
KJV And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
NKJV And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.”

What does John 11:42 mean?

Jesus' words in this part of His prayer express the primary purpose of miracles: demonstrating divine approval of some message or idea. Jesus has arrived when Lazarus' death is absolutely beyond dispute (John 11:39), and He now speaks in front of a crowd of witnesses (John 11:31, 35–37). By making this declaration, Jesus is giving context to the upcoming miracle (John 11:43–44).

The gospel of John uses the term "signs" when describing Jesus' miracles (John 2:11; 4:54; 6:14). What happens in the next verse is the seventh and most spectacular of these signs. As with all of Jesus' supernatural acts, the purpose is to prove His divine nature (John 20:30–31). Some of Christ's miracles were relatively private, such as turning the water into wine in Cana—few people knew Jesus was involved. Some were public, but abrupt, such as giving sight to the blind man (John 9:1–7).

People respond to God's miraculous signs in varied ways. This is much the same way they respond to the mundane physical signs we see on streets and in buildings. When printed signs offer warnings or guidance, some accept what is said. Others notice, but don't take the message seriously. Some ignore it entirely, thinking it does not apply to them. Others deliberately ignore warning posters because they don't like the restriction. Jesus makes this miracle extremely obvious, and as a result, the reaction from His most hateful critics is extreme as well. Instead of accepting the meaning of the miracle, the religious leaders of Jerusalem will seek death for both Jesus and Lazarus (John 11:53; 12:10–11).
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