John 11:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him."

NIV: and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him."

NASB: and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let’s go to him.'

CSB: I’m glad for you that I wasn’t there so that you may believe. But let’s go to him."

NLT: And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there, for now you will really believe. Come, let’s go see him.'

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

NKJV: And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him.”

Jesus sent back an encouraging response when He was given news that Lazarus was sick (John 11:4). He then waited two days before announcing His intent to return to Judea, where men were seeking to kill Him (John 11:6–8). The disciples were understandably confused. Not only did Jesus tell Lazarus' sisters not to worry about death, He also said that Lazarus was asleep (John 11:11). In the prior verse, Jesus explained to the thick-headed men that Lazarus was dead.

Jesus notes that this is a good thing, at least as it applies to the disciples. This will become another example to strengthen their faith. Despite their confusion and ignorance, these men have been loyal to Jesus even when others left (John 6:66–69). That loyalty will once again be rewarded as they will witness the most spectacular of the seven "signs" recorded in the gospel of John.

The disciples' devotion to Jesus doesn't mean they're enthusiastic about this decision. In the next verse Thomas, infamous as a "doubter" (John 20:24–29), suggests that they might as well go along so they can all die with Jesus. Sarcastic or not, the threat was real, and Jesus' followers are willing to face it.

John 11:1–16 sets up the most spectacular of Jesus' earthly miracles: the resurrection of Lazarus. Jesus is given word that Lazarus is sick but delays several days before leaving to see the family. As it turns out, by the time this message gets to Jesus, Lazarus has already died. The disciples assume Jesus won't go back to Judea, since local religious leaders want to kill Him. When Jesus plans to head into dangerous territory, His followers are frightened and pessimistic. The following passage will show Jesus arriving four days after Lazarus had passed away.

Jesus has left the vicinity of Jerusalem to avoid hostile religious leaders. While gone, He receives word that a good friend, Lazarus, is sick. In fact, Lazarus has died by the time this message reaches Jesus. He purposefully waits a few days before returning to Bethany, arriving four days after Lazarus' burial. In front of Lazarus' mourning sisters—who Jesus weeps with—and an assembled crowd, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead in a stirring and spectacular miracle. This is the seventh of John's seven ''signs'' of Jesus' divine power. In response, religious leaders coordinate in their effort to have Jesus murdered.

After giving sight to a man born blind (John 9), Jesus sparred with religious leaders on at least two occasions (John 10). After another failed arrest attempt, Jesus left the area and went out where Jerusalem's politics had little influence. In this chapter, He returns to resurrect a recently-departed friend, Lazarus. That results in a renewed commitment from Jerusalem's religious leaders to have Jesus murdered. As the crucifixion draws near, Jesus will stage His triumphal entry in chapter 12, and then begin His final teachings to the disciples.

The disciple John wrote the gospel of John decades after the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke were written. The author assumes that a reader is already familiar with the content of these other works. So, John presents a different perspective, with a greater emphasis on meaning. John uses seven miracles—which he calls "signs"— to prove that Jesus is, in fact, God incarnate. Some of the most well-known verses in the Bible are found here. None is more famous than the one-sentence summary of the gospel found in John 3:16.