Gospel of John 11 Outline and Meaning
Quick Summary
John 11 tells the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, the climactic sign that points to his power over life and death. It reveals Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life, stirring both belief and opposition, and setting the stage for his own death and resurrection.
Introduction
John 11 is one of the most pivotal chapters in the Gospel. It moves from sickness and grief to resurrection and glory, all while showing us the cross. At the center is Lazarus, the beloved friend of Jesus, who dies and is called out of the tomb after four days. This miracle is more than an act of compassion—it is a sign of Jesus’ authority over death itself.
The chapter is deeply emotional. We see Jesus weeping with Mary and Martha, even as he declares, “I am the resurrection and the life.” It shows us both his humanity and his divinity. And it is deeply consequential: while many believe because of this sign, the religious leaders respond by plotting his death, harkening back to John 9 and the issue of spiritual blindness. John 11 forces us to confront the heart of the Gospel—whether we believe in the one who calls life out of the grave.
Outline of John 11
John 11:1–16 | Lazarus’ Illness and Jesus’ Delay
John 11:17–37 | Jesus Comforts Martha and Mary
John 11:38–44 | Lazarus Raised from the Dead
John 11:45–57 | Belief, Opposition, and the Plot to Kill Jesus
Summary of Each Section
John 11:1–16 | Lazarus’ Illness and Jesus’ Delay
The chapter begins with the news that Lazarus, brother of Mary and Martha, is gravely ill. Strikingly, Jesus delays going to Bethany, saying the illness is for God’s glory so that the Son may be glorified. His disciples are confused, and Thomas, with grim resolve, says, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”
This delay is central to the story. Jesus does not rush to prevent death but allows it so that his power might be revealed. It shows us that God’s timing is not ours. The miracle to come will not just be healing, but resurrection—demonstrating a greater glory. It also prepares the disciples for what is ahead: Jesus’ own journey toward death and life.
John 11:17–37 | Jesus Comforts Martha and Mary
When Jesus arrives, Lazarus has been in the tomb four days. Martha comes to meet him, grieving but also confessing faith: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.” Jesus responds with one of the most profound declarations in the Gospel: “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live.” Martha confesses her faith that he is the Messiah, the Son of God.
Mary also comes to Jesus, weeping, and is joined by mourners. Here we see Jesus deeply moved, even weeping himself. This moment reveals his compassion and solidarity in human grief. He is not detached from suffering—he enters into it with us, even as he brings hope.
John 11:38–44 | Lazarus Raised from the Dead
Jesus comes to the tomb, commands the stone to be rolled away, and prays to the Father. With a loud voice, he cries, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man emerges, still bound in grave clothes, and Jesus orders them to unbind him and let him go.
This is the climactic sign in John’s Gospel before the cross. It shows Jesus’ power over death and foreshadows his own resurrection. Lazarus comes back to life, but he will die again; Jesus’ resurrection will be once for all. Still, the sign reveals his authority as the giver of life, confirming his words to Martha.
John 11:45–57 | Belief, Opposition, and the Plot to Kill Jesus
The raising of Lazarus divides the witnesses. Many believe in Jesus, but others report the event to the Pharisees. The council meets, fearful that Jesus’ growing influence will bring Roman intervention. Caiaphas, the high priest, declares that it is better for one man to die than for the whole nation to perish. John reveals the irony: Caiaphas means political expediency, but God means salvation through the sacrifice of the Son. From that day forward, they plot to kill Jesus.
The chapter closes with a sense of mounting tension. The miracle that reveals Jesus’ glory also seals his fate. Lazarus’ life is restored, but the cross now looms nearer.
Themes in John 11
Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life: the source of true hope.
The humanity and divinity of Jesus revealed in grief and glory.
God’s timing and purposes surpass human expectations.
Signs provoke both faith and opposition, leading to division.
The raising of Lazarus prefigures Jesus’ own death and resurrection.
John 11: Meaning for Today
John 11 reminds us that God’s timing often feels like delay, but it is never without purpose. Like Mary and Martha, we wrestle with “if only” moments—times when God seems late. Yet Jesus shows that his presence is never too late to bring life.
This chapter also speaks to our hope in the face of death. Jesus does not just promise resurrection—he is the resurrection. Our future is secure in him, but so is our present. His tears at Lazarus’ tomb show that he meets us in grief, even as he calls us to trust his life-giving power.
Finally, John 11 reminds us that following Jesus involves both joy and risk. For Lazarus and his family, faith brought life, but it also drew the hostility of the powerful. To believe in Jesus is to step into both comfort and challenge, trusting the one who brings life out of death.
FAQ Section
Why did Jesus delay going to Lazarus?
Jesus delayed so that the glory of God could be revealed in a greater way. Instead of preventing death, he allowed it so that his power to raise the dead could be shown.
What does “I am the resurrection and the life” mean?
Jesus claims not just to give resurrection, but to be resurrection itself. Life is found in relationship with him, both now and in eternity.
Why does Jesus weep if he knows he will raise Lazarus?
His tears show his genuine compassion and solidarity with human suffering. He enters into grief even while knowing the joy that is to come.
How is Caiaphas’ statement ironic?
Caiaphas meant that killing Jesus would preserve the nation politically. John interprets it as a prophecy that Jesus’ death would save not only Israel but all God’s children scattered abroad.
Sources Consulted
Raymond Brown, John (AYB), pp. 431–474
D.A. Carson, John (PNTC), pp. 395–422
Gail O’Day, John (NIB), pp. 716–743
Craig Keener, John, vol. 2, pp. 924–998
Andreas Köstenberger, John (BECNT), pp. 349–382
