Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Vital Concepts & Truths to Know in John 11• Jesus—not stoic leader but caring, compassionate Savior!– Jesus loves (John 11:3, 5, 36)!

• He loved (Greek: phileo) His friend, Lazarus (John 11:3, 36).– Phileo love is a warm, tender, personal affection for another.– The verb tenses in John 11:3, 36 indicate a continuous activity of

love.– Jesus’ love was so real that it was observable – “See how…!”

(11:36).• He loved (Greek: agapao) His friends, Martha, Mary & Lazarus (11:5).

– Agape is the unconditional, unselfish love that seeks the best for others.

– The verb tense in John 11:5 again indicates a continuous activity of love.

– Jesus put their needs & their good above His own – jeopardizing His own life.

Vital Concepts & Truths to Know in John 11• Jesus—not stoic leader but caring, compassionate Savior!– Jesus groaned (John 11:33, 38)!

• “When Jesus saw [Mary] weeping…He groaned in the spirit…” (11:33).– The NASB translates, “He was deeply moved in spirit.”– The Greek word conveys anger and indignation.– Jesus was angry here with death itself and its instigators – sin and

Satan.• “When Jesus saw her weeping…He groaned in the spirit and was

troubled” (33).– The Greek indicates the emotion was so deep that Jesus shook,

shuddered.• “Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb” (John 11:38).

– Here, He is also deeply moved because the people were rejecting Him (37).

Vital Concepts & Truths to Know in John 11• Jesus—not stoic leader but caring, compassionate Savior!– Jesus wept (John 11:35)!

• Jesus was/is not an emotionless leader!• When Jesus beheld emotional stress in His friends, His emotions

responded.• The Greek word, dakruo, means that He shed tears or burst into tears.

– Again, His response was observable.– His heart overflowed with sympathy & understanding (cf. Heb. 2:17-

18; 4:15).

Vital Concepts & Truths to Know in John 11• God is in control and His will cannot be thwarted!– The Jewish leaders grew increasingly angry and fearful of Jesus

(John 11:47-50).• They were concerned that Jesus was going to spoil their political

position.• They feared they were going to be “out of a job” & without any

influence.– Based on this fear, the high priest suggested that Jesus “should

die” (John 11:50).• Rather than the Jewish nation and its leaders perish and be without

power…• “It is expedient for us that one man should die for the people…” (John

11:50).

Vital Concepts & Truths to Know in John 11• God is in control and His will cannot be thwarted!– Caiaphas said more than he realized and more than he

intended to say (11:51-52).• His motive was purely vindictive and vicious.• He did not know that God was guiding his words.• Unbeknownst and desired by him, he prophesied of the vicarious

atonement of Christ and the union of Jews and Gentiles into one body (11:51-52; cf. 10:16).

– Man cannot impede the will of God. God can & will use rejection even for His good.

An Overview/Theme of John 11: “The Dead Shall Live”

• Lazarus died physically!– Messengers came to Jesus from Mary & Martha concerning

Lazarus’ sickness (11:3).• Jesus replied, “This sickness is not unto death” (John 11:4).• The result and ultimate purpose of Lazarus’ sickness was not death but

life.– Lazarus died before Jesus even left Perea for Judea (11:11-14).

• Lazarus likely died right after the messengers left Bethany to go to Jesus.• Jesus was about 30 miles from Bethany (about one day’s journey).• Upon hearing the news, Jesus stayed two more days where He was

(John 11:6).• Before leaving Perea, Jesus told His disciples that Lazarus was dead

(11:11-14).


• Lazarus died physically!– When Jesus arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been dead four

days (John 11:17, 39).• In the minds of the people (disciples & sisters, included), there was no

hope!• “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died” (John

11:21, 32).• “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days”

(11:39).


• Jesus was willing to risk His life (i.e., to die physically) for men to live!– The Jews in Judea sought Jesus’ life, but He would go there for

a friend (John 11:7-8).– Apostles were certain Jesus would be killed when He returned

to Judea (John 11:16).– For Jesus, doing the Lord’s will and work was more valuable

than life (John 11:9-10).


• Jesus gave Lazarus physical life again, raising him from the dead!– While still in Perea, Jesus told His disciples He was going to

“wake him up” (11:11).– Jesus raised the dead before – Jairus’ daughter & widow’s son

(Lk. 7:11-17; 8:40-56).– But, Lazarus had been dead a significant time, thus indisputably

dead (Jn. 11:17, 39).– Jesus told Martha, “Your brother will rise again” (John 11:23),

and He meant “now.”


• Jesus gave Lazarus physical life again, raising him from the dead!– Lazarus walked out of the tomb, hearing, “Come forth!” (John

11:43-44; cf. 5:28-29).– The purpose of this event was “for the glory of God” (John 11:4,

40).• It was proof that “whatever You ask of God,” He can and will do (John

11:22).• Jesus was “glad” that He was not there so that men might believe (John

11:15).• It was designed to create & strengthen faith in the hearts of observers

(11:42).


• The Jewish leaders, while dead spiritually, wanted Jesus to die physically!– Jewish council deemed it “expedient” that Jesus “should die”

(John 11:50).– The corrupt council “from that day on…plotted to put Him to

death” (John 11:53).– The Jewish leaders commanded that Jesus be seized (John

11:57).


• Jesus gives life to those who are spiritually dead, but only if they believe!– “He who believes in Me…” (John 11:25-26).

• “Believes” is in the present tense, emphasizing a continued manner of life.

• True faith requires action. “Faith without works is dead” (Jas. 2:20-26).– “Though he may die [physically], he shall live [eternally]” (John

11:25).• “Shall never die [spiritually]” (John 11:26).• Because Jesus has power over sin and death, those who believe and

obey will forever avoid the second death of hell (Heb. 2:14; Rev. 20:6; 21:8).


• Jesus gives life to those who are spiritually dead, but only if they believe!– Jesus is “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25).

• As the origin and power behind resurrection & life, it is only obtainable thru Him!

– Question: “Do you believe this?” (John 11:26).

How Chapter 11 Helps to Fulfill the Overall Purpose of the Gospel of John

• Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25).• Testimony of Martha, “I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of

God” (John 11:27).• The miracle of raising Lazarus was designed to create faith and did

(John 11:15, 42, 45).• The testimony of the scribes & Pharisees, “This Man works many

signs” (John 11:47).• Scribes & Pharisees feared “everyone will believe” because of His

works (11:47-48).• The miracles of Jesus fulfilled their purpose – “many believed”

(John 11:45).

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Chapter 11