For three days the spirit hovers about the tomb, if perchance it may return to the body. “Lightfoot quotes a remarkable tradition of Ben Kaphra: ‘Grief reaches its height on the third day. Jesus deliberately waited to bring Lazarus back from the dead until he had been in the tomb four days. It is of little use to send it for a little while.” (Maclaren) Yet, “Sorrow is prolonged for the same reason as it was sent. These were two more days of agonized grief for them. It is clear that Jesus prolonged the sorrow of Mary and Martha. The delay was probably mystifying to the disciples and agonizing to Mary and Martha. He stayed two more days: It seems strange that Jesus did not immediately act upon this great need. “That disciple whom Jesus loved is not at all backward to record that Jesus loved Lazarus too: there are no jealousies among those who are chosen by the Well-beloved.” (Spurgeon)Ĭ. The individual love of Jesus towards these three is especially significant when we think of how they were different, both in their temperament and in their situations of life. He loved Martha and He loved Mary and He loved Lazarus.” (Morris) “The separate mention of the three persons is probably meant to put some stress on Jesus’ affection for each one individually. It was an important reminder, showing that a testing of their faith was not a denial of His love. Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus: John reminds us that Jesus did genuinely love these sisters and their brother. So the Lord speaks of things, not as they seem to be, nor even as they are in the present moment, but as they shall be in the long run.” (Spurgeon)ī. But he who sees the end from the beginning streaks with a grandeur of style which could not be imitated by us. “We should have said that the sickness was unto death, but, ultimately, to the glory of God. “The only right understanding of this answer, and our Lord’s whole proceeding here is, - that He knew and foresaw all from the first.” (Alford) This meant the end result would be that the Son of God may be glorified in His death and resurrection. Jesus also knew that the events recorded in this chapter would set the religious leaders in determination to kill Jesus. This sickness is not unto death: Lazarus was already dead when Jesus said this, but He knew the end result would be the glory of God, not death. So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was.Ī. When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. “The love of Jesus does not separate us from the common necessities and infirmities of human life. They felt they did not need to, that it was enough to simply tell Jesus what the problem was.

Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick: Mary and Martha did not specifically ask Jesus to come and heal Lazarus. It was expected that if He miraculously met the needs of so many others, He would meet their need also.Ĭ. When Lazarus was sick it was natural for them to bring their need to Jesus. Lazarus… Mary and her sister Martha: Jesus had a close relationship with this family.

Lazarus of Bethany: “‘Lazarus,’ the Greek form of Eleazar = God is my Help.” (Dods)ī. Many think that the Synoptic Gospels are centered on Peter’s account of Jesus’ teaching and ministry. Morris suggested another reason the Synoptic Gospels did not include the account of the raising of Lazarus is that Peter was not present in these months he was in Galilee while Jesus was in Perea and Bethany.

He thinks that the other three evangelists wrote their histories during the life of Lazarus and that they did not mention him for fear of exciting the malice of the Jews against him.” (Clarke) The conjecture of Grotius has a good deal of weight. “ It is surprising that the other evangelists have omitted so remarkable an account as this is, in which some of the finest traits in our Lord’s character are exhibited. “There is no parallel whatever for the raising of a man who had been dead for four days and whose body had begun to putrefy.” (Barclay) One might say that it is foolish to think one miracle is more difficult than another, but this seventh sign of John’s gospel is unique. Now a certain man was sick: This begins perhaps the most remarkable miracle Jesus performed. Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.”Ī. It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.

Jesus wept verse