John 11:24 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day."

NIV: Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."

NASB: Martha *said to Him, 'I know that he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.'

CSB: Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."

NLT: Yes,' Martha said, 'he will rise when everyone else rises, at the last day.'

KJV: Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

NKJV: Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

Mary and Martha are close followers of Christ's teachings (Luke 10:38–42). In earlier statements, Jesus has spoken about those who believe in Him experiencing an eventual resurrection (John 3:15–16; 6:39–40). That discipleship has clearly given these sisters great faith in Jesus, even in the face of doubts (John 11:21–22). Just as Jesus' mother didn't demand a specific solution (John 2:3–5), Martha didn't come right out and beg Jesus to raise her brother from the dead (John 11:17). So, when Jesus reassured her that Lazarus "will rise" (John 11:23), she most likely took that to mean Jesus did not intend to perform a miracle at that moment.

In other words, Martha's response here might come with a hint of disappointment. Her mention of God granting any request made by Jesus resulted in Him saying "your brother will rise again." He did not say, "I'll ask God to bring him back." Rather than despairing, or reacting in anger, Martha's answer implies that she has an eternal perspective (Hebrews 11:13–16). She knows that, even if death wins this battle, it has already lost the war (Hebrews 11:39–40).

Martha's next words with Jesus back up the suggestion that she's faithful, even amidst her doubt and pain. Those are inspired by the fifth of seven "I Am" statements made by Jesus in the gospel of John.

John 11:17–27 describes Jesus' encounter with Martha, Lazarus' brother. By the time Jesus got word of Lazarus' illness, His friend had already died, but Jesus delayed a further two days before coming to see the family. Martha is both heartbroken and resigned. She is confident that her brother will see eternal resurrection. Jesus confirms His role in salvation as He comforts her; she responds by affirming Him as the Messiah. This is the fifth of seven ''I Am'' statements by Jesus in this gospel. In the following passage, Jesus will meet with Martha and Lazarus' sister, Mary, expressing His sorrow for their pain.

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.