John 11

John 11:1-16

Here is, 1. The tidings sent to our Lord ‘Jesus of the sickness of Lazarus, and his entertainment of those tidings, ver. 1—16. 2. The wife he made to Lazarus’s relations when he had heard of his death, and their entertainment of the wife, ver. 17—32. 3. The miracle wrought in the raising of Lazarus from the dead, ver. 33—44. 4. The effect wrought by this miracle upon others, ver. 45—57.

1. NOW a certain man was sick, named Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. 2. (It was that Mary, which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick) 3. Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou loveest is sick. 4. When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. 5. Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. 6. When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. 7. Then after that, faith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judea again. 8. His disciples lay unto him, Mather, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goeth thou thither again? 9. Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbles, not, because he seeth the light of this world. 10. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbles, because there is no light in him. 11. These things said he: and after that, he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus! Steepeth; but I go that I may awake him out of sleep. 12. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. 13. Howbeit Jesus spoke of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking rest in sleep. 14. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. 15. And I am glad for your taken, that I was not there (to the intent ye may believe) nevertheless, let us go unto him. 16. Then said Thomas, which is called Didymos, unto his fellow-disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

The miracle contained in this chapter is recorded by this evangelist alone. We have,

1. The persons particularly interested, Lazarus, a particular friend of Christ, who was now sick at Bethany, a little village near Jerusalem, where he had lived with Mary and her sister Martha; at whose house Jesus seems to have chiefly resided when he went up to Jerusalem on the great festivals. Mary, whose brother was ill, was a woman of singular piety, which particularly appeared in the respect the paid our Lord some time after this, chap. xii. 2. when at a public entertainment the unnamed his feet with a box of precious ointment, and wiped them with her hair. Note, Christ keeps a faithful account, and will not fail to make honourable mention of all the works of faith and labours of love done for his sake by his faithful people.

2. The sisters, anxious for their brother, who was so dear to them, v. Chap. xii. 1. viii. a. b. viii. xii. v. Chap. xii. 2. v. Chap. xii. 3. Chap. Xh

them, dispatched a messenger to acquaint their Lord and master of his imminent danger; knowing it would be enough to mention the case to him, since he who was sick was a person he found so tenderly. Note, (1.) When we ourselves, or our dear relatives, are sick, we must spread the case before the compaffionate Saviour, and commit it with humble fulmination to his care. (2.) They are happy souls indeed, who are diffusing and as the disciples whom Jesus eminently loves. (3.) The dearest children of God share in the common afflictions incident to humanity; yea, often are most severely exercised.

3. Christ foretold the issue of the sickness, that it should not be any death; at least that death should not keep him as his prisoner, but that the glory of God should be most eminently displayed in his recovery, for which end this sickness was sent. Note, (1.) It is a great consolation to every child of God, that in all his sufferings, God hath purposely of his own glory to answer. (2.) Though we are sick, even unto death, we know if Jesus loves us, that the perishing of the outward man can do us no real harm, but will open for our disembodied souls a passage to eternal life and blessedness.

4. He defers his visit to Lazarus two days, though his love to him and the family was well known, and very singular; and this he did to prove their faith and patience, and give them a more signal manifestation of his power and grace. Note, Christ’s very delays, however irksome and trying to us, are designed in the issue for our greater comfort and his greater glory.

5. When the two days were expired, Christ calls upon his disciples to attend him to Bethany, designing to carry relief to the afflicted family there. But they expostulate with him on the danger to which he must expose himself by such a journey, when so lately the Jews had attempted to murder him, and still harboured the same malicious intentions: but perhaps this concern for the lately was not without some regard to their own also, who were so nearly connected with him; for very apt are we to mix fulfils considerations where we seem to mean only our divine master’s honour and interests. In reply to their suggestion, he answers, for there not twelve hours in the day, according to general estimation, allotted for labour: if any more could in the day he humbly not, because he forth the light of the world, that him which gilds his path, and makes his way plain before his face. Thus whilst the time of life appointed by the Father falls, I fear no danger, and go forward in my work; but if a man could in the night he humbly, because there is no light in him. So when my day of work expires, then, and not till then, shall be suffered to fall into the hands of my foes. Note, (1.) The consideration how soon the night of death approaches, should quicken our diligence, whilst yet the day of life continues, to redeem the time, and finish the work Christ hath given us to do. (2.) They who walk under the guidance of the word and spirit of Jesus, go on their way unmoved; whilst they who follow any other guide are sure to stumble upon the dark mountains of errur, and fall into the pit of destruction.

6. He informs them of the death of their common friend Lazarus, and his design to raise him up again to life, which he represents under the figure of sleep. Our friend Lazarus floped, but I go, that I may awoke him out of sleep. The disciples underthroding him literally, thought this a favourable symptom, and that he would do well without their master’s going into the jaws of danger. But as he spake of his death under this figure, and not of common rest, as they apprehended, he retitled their mistake by plainly telling them, Lazarus is dead; and adds, I am glad, for your father, that I was not there before he died, to the extent so may believe, when by his resurrection from the grave, after so long a time, your faith may receive the greater confirmation. Newest life, though he is dead, let us go unto him. Note, (1.) Sleep is death’s lesser mysteries; and every day that we awake from our beds, we experience a kind of resurrection. (2.) The great reflorative to weak and wearied nature is felt repaid; but no sleep is so sweet to the body, as the sleep of death to the gracious soul, from which he awakes in eternal day.

7. Thomas, called Didymus, or the twin, on hearing what Jesus had said, and his resolution to go into Judea, said to his fellow-disciples, let us also go, that we may die with him; either with Lazarus, whom he loved so much as not to wish to survive him, or rather with their master; who, by going, seemed to expose his life to unscatable danger; and he, zealous to attend him, offers himself, and encourages his brethren to cleave to him wherever he went, though death itself should be the consequence. Note, (1.) The loss of those on whom our fond affections were placed, often embraces life, and makes death appear desirable. (2.) To go to join the spirits of just men made perfect, is indeed a consummation devoutly to be wished for. (3.) Faithful disciples will be intimidated by no danger from following their master, and encouraging each other to stand fall in the day of trial.

8. Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lien in the grave four days already. 18. (Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about + fifteen furlongs off) 19. And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to Vos. II.

comfort them concerning their brother. 20. Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. 21. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hast been here, my brother had not died. 22. But I know, that even now! whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it there. 23. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. 24. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. 25. Jesus saith unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live! 26. And whoever liveth and believeth in me, shall never die. Believelt thou this? 27. She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. 28. And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her filter fiercely, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. 29. As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him. 30. Now Jesus was not yet come unto the town, but was in that place where Martha met him. 31. The Jews then which were with her in the house, and I comforted her, when they saw Mary that the rose up halfly, and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave, to weep there. 32. Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hast been here, my brother had not died.

9. 17—32. Jesus having declared his purpose, began his journey with his disciples, and arrived at Bethany, which was distant from Jerusalem about two miles.

10. He found a melancholy forew. The house, where with joy he had lately been entertained, is drowned in tears; such awful change do we often see after the throesy absence from our friends. Lazarus had been in the grave four days already, and many of the Jews from Jerusalem, which was near, had come to console the afflicted fishers. Note, (1.) It is kind to weep with those that weep; and by partaking, to alleviate the foreword of the miserable. (2.) When we lack our dearest relatives, if they fall asleep in Jesus, we have abundant reason to be comforted concerning our brother; his lot is to be envied; our tears should rather show for ourselves left yet behind, to conflict with the powers of evil. (3.) The house of most diffusing and piety is not barred against affliction; but though we foreword as men, we can rejoice as believers. There is hope in the end.

11. Martha no sooner heard of the Master’s approach, than she went to meet him; whilst Mary, who had not yet heard of his arrival, sat still in the house. We are here told what passed at this first interview.

[1.] Martha, with deep respect addressing the Saviour, said, Lord, if thou hast been here, my brother had not died; so confident was she of his power and compaffion, though her weakness appeared in supposing his bodily presence necessary to the cure. But I know that even now, desperate as the case is, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it there; she mentioned no particulars, but merely referred the case to his grace and wisdom. Note, in our deepest foreword, our only relief is to draw near to Jesus, to tell him our foreword, and call our care upon him.

[2.] Christ answers her with good words, and comfortable words. Thy brother shall rise again. He expresses it so as to leave it doubtful, whether he meant a pretext or future resurrection: in either view it admonished master for her faith and hope and consolation. Note, it is a most reviving consideration when death robs us of our brethren in Jesus, that the separation is but short, we shall meet them again at the resurrection of the just.

[3.] Martha professes her faith in what her Lord had spoken. I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day; that there should be a resurrection she was persuaded, and that Lazarus would rise among the just; but though this was some consolation, her loss hung heavy upon her.

[4.] Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the life; not only by his prayer could he obtain life from God for whom he would, but he had the power of life in himself, and at his own pleasure could raise the dead, and call the things that are not, as though they were. He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; his body, as well as soul, shall live in the eternal world; and whoever liveth and believeth in me, quickened to spiritual life, and walking now by faith, shall never die; shall never lose the life of grace he professes, which is the beginning of the life of glory; and though this body may return to the dust, from whence it came, yet shall it be raised again, and he made immortal as his never-dying soul. Believelt thou this? A solemn question which we should often put to ourselves. The resurrection of the body is to soar impunable, impossible; but faith overlooks every difficulty. He then raised to hear the dust at full, can again re-assemble the scattered atoms, and

being bone to his bone. Note, (1.) Christ is the author of natural life; in him we live, and move, and have our being; of spiritual life; by his power and his spirit are we quickened from the death of sin: of eternal life; as he hath procured the title for us, and by him we shall be raised up at the last day. (2.) They who have this faith in them, are truly blessed and happy; they live in comfort, and die in hope.

(3.) Martha said unto him, Yes, Lord, I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world; the true Messiah so long promised, so greatly expected; and that thou hast all power to do whatsoever thou pleshed, and that nothing is impossible with thee. Note, They who know the Salvator’s all-sufficiency, may comfortably and confidently rest all their hopes upon him.

3. Mary comes to meet the Lord. Martha, in haste to communicate the glad news, and to make her offer partake of the blessings of his converse, goes and secretly whispers to her that Jesus the Master was came, and wished to see her. Eager to meet him, the hastily arose, and came to him without the town where he had halted, as nearer the grave where his business lay. The Jews, who came to consider with her, observing her sudden departure, concluded the was gone to the grave to weep, and followed her. But Mary had now found her Lord, and at his feet poured out with tears her sorrowful complaint, Lord, if thou hastest been here, my brother had not died. Note, (1.) Greatious fouls delight to be instrumental in bringing others to Jesus, to partake of his confessions. (2.) Christ is a better comforter than ten thousand friends: at his feet under all our forrows let us be found, and he will calm our troubled breath. (3.) It is kind to visit the house of mourning, and seek to divert from Americans below the afflicted, who often study how to sharpen and aggravate their own griefs. (4.) We are often apt to converse and grave ourselves unnecessarily with apprehensions that something was neglected or overlooked, that might have been done for our departed friends, instead of submitting to the divine decree with silent resignation.

4. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, 34. And said, Where have ye laid him? They say unto him, Lord, come and see. 35. Jesus wept. 36. Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! 37. And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blood, have caused that even this man should not have died? 38. Jesus therefore again groaning in himself, cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. 39. Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the father of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. 40. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that if thou wouldst believe, thou shouldst see the glory of God? 41. Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 42. 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. 43. And when he had thus spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 44. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and ‘his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

John 11:33-44

We have here,

1. The compassions of Jesus. He felt for the anguish which appeared in the tears so plentifully shed; he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled; either sympathizing with Mary and her friends in their grief, or, as the words seem in their signification to intimate, with indignation at the unbelief and hardness of heart which he saw in many of the Jews there present: and knowing his own designs of grace, he asked, Where have ye laid him? Not that he could be unacquainted with any event, but that it might appear there was no contrivance between him and the relations of the deceased; They say unto him, Lord, come and see; and being come to the place, he, whose tender heart felt deeply for human misery; and as man possessed the tenderest feelings of our nature, gave vent to his grief: Jesus wept. Note, (1.) Jesus was very man as well as very God, and subject to all our unselfs passions and infirmities. (2.) Tears of tender sympathy become the disciples of Jesus, who are commanded to weep with their that weep.

2. The reflections made by those present on the tears of Jesus. Some said, and the observation was most natural, Should thou be bound him? Others with more malignant insinuations, suggest, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blood, have caused that even this man should not have died? Indemating, that had he

really possessed the power he pretended, he would have kept his friend from death; but as he could not do this, it was to be suspected that what had passed for so extraordinary a miracle before, was really a mere sham. Note, (1.) If we consider what Jesus hath done, how he hath shed not only tears, but drops of blood for us, with much more restless may we say, Should thou be bound us? (2.) They who determine to cavil, will always find a pretence.

3. Jesus groaning in spirit at the malice and wickedness of such a suggestion, cometh to the grave; which, according to their usual method of burying the dead, was a cave, with a stone laid on its mouth. This he bids them remove, that all might be convinced of the reality of Lazarus’s death, by the putrefaction of the corpse. Martha, concluding from the time he had lain in the grave, that the body must be very offensive, and thinking it too late to hope for his revival, would have diverted Jesus from his purpole, but he said unto her, Said I not unto thee, that if thou wouldst believe, thou shouldst see the glory of God displayed in a more eminent manner than hath yet appeared? And herein probably he refers to something which he had said in the former conversation with her, which is not recorded by the evangelist. Note, (1.) Nothing serves more deeply to mortify our pride on any bodily experiences, than the reflection how awful will be the change, when we have lain but a few days in the grave. (2.) If we have true faith, we shall surely see the great salvation of God, whenever difficulties may seem to be in our way.

4. The grave being opened, and the corpse discovered, Jesus left up his eyes to hear, and said, Father, I think that that thou hast heard me; not as imploring assistance for the performing the miracle of Lazarus’s resurrection, which by his own power he would accomplish, but as thanking him for the present opportunity afforded him, for the display of his divine power and authority. And I know that thou hastest me always, because my will and thine are one; but because of the people which stand by, I said it, that they might believe that thou hast sent me, and be assured of my being the true Messiah by this stupendous miracle, which will add still greater evidence to my mission. Note, (1.) In our approaches to God, we should draw near to him as the Father of mercies, with full confidence in his faithfulness, power, and love. (2.) Thanksgivings for such mercies are an encouragement to the present exercise of our faith. (3.) Christ is an all-pervading advocate: his prayers for us are always heard; therefore we may boldly draw near to a throne of grace.

5. By a word the miracle is wrought. With the voice of Majesty, as the Lord of life, he speaks aloud, Lazarus, now forth; and intimately, obedient to his command, death surrenders his prisoner; by omnipotent power the corpse is raised, Lazarus comes forth alive, enveloped with all the swathings and the napkin round his face, as he was laid in the grave. Jesus bids them love him, and let him go; being perfectly restored to health and strength, he was able as ever to walk to his own house. Note, (1.) Such is the mighty call of Jesus to the God dead in trespasses and sins, and power accompanies his gospel, by which the dead are quickened to comests of life. (2.) The change in a resurrection day will be thus instantaneous, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, 1 Cor. xv. 52.

6. Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. 46. But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done. 47. Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, ‘What do we? for this man doth many miracles. 48. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him; and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. 49. And one of them named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, 50. Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. 51. And this he spake not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation: 52. And ’not for that nation only,’ but that also he should gather together in one, the children of God that were scattered abroad. 53. Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death. 54. Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence into a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples. 55. 56. And the Jews passover was nigh at hand: and many were out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves. 56. Then fought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast? 57. Now both the chief

priests and the Pharises had given a commandment, that if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him.

John 11:45-57

This miracle produced very different effects upon the faechians.

1. Many of the Jews there present, who had come to confide the forwardless filters, struck with the evidence of the divine power of Jesus, believed in him as the Messiah. Thus their kindness to the afflicted was repaid with the belt of spiritual hithings upon their own souls.

2. Others, obfite in infidelity, and exasperated, inflicted of being convinced, by what they had seen, went with malicious wickedness to the Pharises, who were members of the Sanhedrim, and informed them what was done, that they might take measures to suppress the increasing fame of Jesus.

3. A council is instantly summoned, in order to deliberate on some more vigorous methods to stop this man. Being assembled, they said, What do we? How dilatory are our proceedings? How long shall we be ourselves run down, and our interests in the people usurped? For this man did many miracles, which could not be denied; and if we let him then alone to root himself in the people’s afflictions, all men will believe in him as the Messiah, and let him up as king: the consequence of which will be, that the Romans will come to crush such a rebellion, and take away him our place and nation. This they dreadfully apprehended; and by the very methods they took to prevent it, filled up the measure of their iniquities, and brought that very destruction which they feared upon their own heads. Note, (1.) The enemies of Christ have often pretended to be the public good, as a presence to persecute the public’s belt friends. (2.) They who, under the influence of carnal policy, by wicked methods think to extricate themselves from their difficulties, only pull down the more surely that ruin which they seek to shun.

4. Caiaphas, the high-priest that year (this dignity and office under the Roman government having become venal, and the perils being often changed) a man of a Sadducean Spirit, affd. v. 17. unconcerned about a judgment to come, with daring effrontery and haughtiness, said, Ye know nothing at all, to fit them defrauding and deliberating; nor consider that it is repelling for us, that we man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perils not: when matters are come to such a crisis, there can be no ground to hesitate about proceeding, nor need we enter into the enquiry whether he be a prophet or no; the safe is desperate, and requires a desperate remedy; better is it, tho’ he were innocent, to destroy him, than endanger, by a foolish lenity, the safety of the nation. Note, (1.) When secular interest, court favour, bribery, and corruption, exalt men to the highest offices in the church, no marvel if the chief rulers are arch-perfectors. (2.) Reason and justice stand in little stead, where power is in the hand of oppressors.

5. The evangelist informs us, that Caiaphas spoke not this of himself: but being high priest that year, whose words would be looked upon as oracular, God so ordered it that he should express his sentiments in such a way, as that though he designed the most malignant and murderous counsel, he declared the most important and glorious truth, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation, as the Messiah, to redeem his people: and not for that nation only, to save the elect remnant, Rom. xi. 3. of the Jewish people, but that ally he should gather in me the children of God that were scattered abroad; even those of the Gentiles who, wherever dispersed, as well as Jews, who were pro-defeined to the adoption of children by Christ Jesus, Eph. i. 5. and designed to become one fold under one shepherd.

6. Caiaphas’s discourse determined the counsel, and from that day forward, with resolute purpose, they took counsel to put Jesus to death, and thought only on the prophets’ means to execute their design.

7. Christ, who knew this combination against him, and the determination of his implacable enemies, withdrew, and notified no more openly among the Jews; retiring to a city called Ephraim, in the least frequent part of the country, where he spent his time in conversation with his disciples. The hour of his departure approaching, this season was most usefully employed in teaching them the things which pertained to the kingdom of God.

8. The last passage which our Lord was to celebrate on earth, now drew nigh; and multitudes, according to custom, refused to Jerusalem to purify themselves from any ceremonial uncleaned which they had contracted, before the least began, that they might be legally prepared to partake of it. Many enquiries were then made concerning Jesus, by those who met together in the temple; it being a question much agitated among them, whether he would venture in come up to the least or not? For the chief priests had issued strict orders, that if any man knew where he was he should shew it, that they might stroll him, and put him to death. And the made some doubt, whether such an open declaration of their intentions might not intimidate him, which others would have been glad to have had

an opportunity of delivering him up to his implacable enemies. Note, When rulers are wicked, they never want instruments to execute their iniquitous purposes.