What does John 11:45 mean?

Jesus has just performed the seventh of seven "signs" as recorded in the gospel of John (John 20:30–31). This was the most highly-arranged of Jesus' miracles. Raising Lazarus for the sake of witnesses was His intent all along (John 11:11–15). He deliberately waited until death was beyond all doubt (John 11:39). and made a clear statement that He was operating with divine power (John 11:41–42). In response to His command, a dead man came back to life and was restored to his family (John 11:43–44).

Another part of the spectacle is the crowd of witnesses. When Lazarus' sister made a hasty exit, curious mourners followed her (John 11:31). These were locals and neighbors from in and around Jerusalem (John 11:18–19). A major factor in this miracle's impact was the presence of these otherwise-neutral observers (John 11:35–37). John's choice of terms here is not an accident. In this gospel, he uses the phrase "the Jews" to refer to the religious leaders of Jerusalem and their immediate followers.

Many who witnessed Jesus' unmistakable miracle interpret it exactly the way they were meant to: as a sign of Jesus' divine authority. Contrary to the claim that some people "just need evidence," the reaction of others shows that even obvious miracles aren't enough for the stubborn (Luke 16:31). At least some react with skepticism and "tattle" to their leaders (John 11:46). Those leaders, for the most part, respond to extreme evidence of Christ's identity with extreme violence (John 11:53; 12:9-11). Seeing some of their own converted to Jesus' side would have been enraging for these proud men.