John 11:1–16 – Jesus Hears of Lazarus’ Illness and Delays
Quick Summary
In John 11:1–16, Jesus learns that his friend Lazarus is gravely ill, yet he delays going to him. This deliberate pause reveals that the sickness is “for God’s glory,” setting the stage for one of Jesus’ most powerful signs.
Introduction
The raising of Lazarus is one of the most memorable and beloved stories in John’s Gospel, but it does not begin with triumph. It begins with sickness, worry, and waiting. Mary and Martha send word to Jesus, confident that he will come quickly to heal their brother. Instead, Jesus delays. He tells his disciples that Lazarus’ illness will not end in death but will glorify God. His words confuse them, and his actions seem slow. Yet the delay itself is part of the divine plan, preparing the way for Jesus to reveal himself as the resurrection and the life.
This section shows us how John carefully prepares readers for the miracle to come, layering themes of love, trust, and divine timing. It reminds us that Jesus’ delays are never neglect but purposeful pauses in God’s story. As we walk through John 11:1–16, we find a deep word for our own lives when prayers feel unanswered and help seems slow to arrive. The waiting of Mary and Martha becomes a mirror of the waiting we so often endure. We long for God to act, but we are invited to trust in a wider purpose that is being worked out.
Outline of John 11:1–16
John 11:1–3 | The Message of Lazarus’ Illness
John 11:4–6 | Jesus Declares the Illness for God’s Glory and Delays
John 11:7–10 | The Disciples’ Fears and Jesus’ Assurance
John 11:11–16 | Lazarus Has Fallen Asleep, Thomas Speaks with Courage
John 11:1–3 | The Message of Lazarus’ Illness
Mary, Martha, and Lazarus are introduced as a family dear to Jesus. Their home in Bethany is a place of love and friendship, a contrast to the hostility Jesus often encounters elsewhere. The sisters send word to Jesus, “Lord, he whom you love is ill” (John 11:3 NRSV). The message appeals not to duty but to love. It is an intimate, urgent request.
Here John highlights a striking detail: Jesus loves this family deeply. Yet love does not always translate into immediate rescue. The setup recalls earlier signs in John where human need and divine timing intersect—like the wine at Cana (John 2 Outline and Meaning) and the healing of the nobleman’s son (John 4:46–54). Each time, Jesus responds in his own way, not according to human schedules.
The sisters’ message is also a model of prayer. They do not tell Jesus what to do; they simply state the need and trust his love. In our own prayers, we often want to dictate outcomes, but here we are reminded that true prayer rests in trust, presenting the need and leaving the response to Christ.
John 11:4–6 | Jesus Declares the Illness for God’s Glory and Delays
When Jesus hears the message, he responds with a paradox: “This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God’s glory” (John 11:4 NRSV). This echoes the theme of divine purpose running throughout the Gospel—Jesus’ works point beyond themselves to reveal the Father’s glory (John 9 Outline and Meaning).
But then comes the tension: Jesus stays two days longer where he is. This delay seems counterintuitive, even cruel, but John frames it as an act of love (John 11:5–6). The glory of God will shine brighter against the backdrop of loss. Like in Revelation, where apparent delay magnifies the ultimate victory (see Revelation 6 Outline and Meaning), Jesus shows that God’s timing is not bound to human urgency.
This moment challenges us to think differently about divine timing. What feels like abandonment may be the very space where God is arranging a greater good. As D.A. Carson notes, Jesus’ delay is not neglect but design, for it allows Lazarus to die so that resurrection power may be displayed (Carson, John, p. 408). In the same way, when God seems silent in our lives, we are called to trust that unseen purposes are at work.
John 11:7–10 | The Disciples’ Fears and Jesus’ Assurance
When Jesus finally decides to go to Judea, the disciples protest. They remind him that the last time he was there, the crowds sought to stone him (John 10:31). To return seems reckless. But Jesus replies with imagery of light: “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Those who walk during the day do not stumble” (John 11:9). Just as in John 8 Outline and Meaning, Jesus presents himself as the light that guides.
The imagery of light and darkness is a key Johannine theme. To walk in daylight is to walk in alignment with God’s will. Jesus’ mission is bound by divine timing, and no threat can cut it short. Craig Keener emphasizes that Jesus’ metaphor assures his disciples that his ministry unfolds within the Father’s appointed time (Keener, John, vol. 2, p. 846). Their fear is real, but divine sovereignty is greater.
For John’s readers—and for us—the point is clear: following Jesus may look dangerous, but walking in his light is the only true safety. Even when the road leads toward apparent loss, Jesus’ path is the one lit by God. Revelation echoes this truth when it speaks of the Lamb as the lamp for the nations (Revelation 21:23).
John 11:11–16 | Lazarus Has Fallen Asleep, Thomas Speaks with Courage
Jesus then clarifies: “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to awaken him” (John 11:11). The disciples misunderstand, thinking he speaks of natural sleep. Once again John highlights the irony of human misunderstanding, a recurring feature of the Gospel (see Nicodemus in John 3 Outline and Meaning).
Finally, Thomas speaks up. “Let us also go, that we may die with him” (John 11:16). Often remembered as “Doubting Thomas,” here he shines with loyalty and courage. His words foreshadow the cost of discipleship and the paradox of life through death—a theme carried into Revelation, where martyrs conquer by their testimony (Revelation 12:11). Raymond Brown points out that Thomas’ statement, while tinged with pessimism, reflects profound devotion (Brown, John, vol. 1, p. 426).
This section also prepares the reader for Jesus’ own death. Just as Lazarus’ story will not end in death, so too Jesus’ cross will not end in defeat. The disciples cannot yet see this, but John invites the reader to hold the tension.
Themes in John 11:1–16
Divine Timing vs. Human Urgency – Jesus’ delay shows God’s purposes unfold according to divine timing, not human schedules.
Love and Glory Intertwined – Jesus’ love for the family and his desire for God’s glory are not opposites but inseparable.
Misunderstanding and Faith – The disciples misinterpret Jesus’ words, but Thomas models faith-filled courage.
Light and Danger – Walking in the light of Christ remains safe, even in threatening circumstances.
Foreshadowing Resurrection – The scene anticipates both Lazarus’ raising and Jesus’ own resurrection.
John 11:1–16 Meaning for Today
This passage is a word of comfort for anyone who has waited in the silence of unanswered prayers. God’s delays are not indifference; they are moments where faith is stretched and refined. We are reminded that Jesus’ timing, though often mysterious, serves a larger purpose we may not yet see. Like Mary and Martha, we learn to wait in love.
We also see that following Jesus involves courage. Like Thomas, we sometimes face roads that seem to lead into risk or loss. Yet to walk with Jesus is to walk in the light, and in him even death is only sleep. This perspective reshapes how we face waiting, danger, and loss—not as abandoned people, but as those held within the love of Christ.
Finally, John 11:1–16 invites us to trust the pauses in our lives. Just as Revelation encourages the church to endure during the in-between times, and 1 John reminds believers that “perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18), so this story calls us to remain rooted in love and trust, even when God seems slow. The glory of God is often revealed most clearly after the waiting. In our hurried world, this passage reminds us that divine timing is not delayed—it is perfect.
See Also
FAQ
Why did Jesus delay going to Lazarus?
Jesus’ delay was purposeful, showing that Lazarus’ illness was for God’s glory. His timing prepared the way for a greater revelation: not just healing but resurrection power.
What does Thomas’ statement mean in John 11:16?
Thomas’ words, “Let us also go, that we may die with him,” reveal a courageous loyalty. He expects danger in Judea but chooses faithfulness over safety. His statement foreshadows the call to costly discipleship.
How does this passage connect to the rest of John?
It builds on themes of misunderstanding, divine timing, and glory introduced in earlier chapters. It also anticipates the ultimate sign—Jesus’ own death and resurrection, where glory is revealed most fully.
Works Consulted
Raymond E. Brown, The Gospel According to John I–XII (Anchor Yale Bible), pp. 423–430.
D.A. Carson, The Gospel According to John (Pillar New Testament Commentary), pp. 405–412.
Gail R. O’Day, John (New Interpreter’s Bible), vol. 9, pp. 662–668.
Craig S. Keener, The Gospel of John: A Commentary, vol. 2, pp. 842–852.
Andreas J. Köstenberger, John (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament), pp. 338–346.
