Lazarus Has Fallen Asleep (John 11:11)
Quick Summary
In John 11:11, Jesus says of Lazarus, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to awaken him.” This verse frames death as sleep, highlighting Jesus’ power over it and pointing toward resurrection.
Introduction
When Jesus hears of Lazarus’ illness, his response confuses the disciples (and me!). He tells them in John 11:11, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to awaken him.” For the disciples, this sounds like Lazarus is simply resting. But Jesus is speaking of death—and of his power to overcome it.
This verse introduces one of the most dramatic miracles in John’s Gospel: the raising of Lazarus. Yet before the tomb is opened, Jesus reframes death itself. To him, death is not an end but a sleep from which he can awaken his friend. These words offer both theological depth and pastoral comfort. They remind us that Jesus’ authority extends even over the grave, and that in him, death does not have the last word.
Historical and Cultural Context
In Jewish thought, death was often described metaphorically as “sleep.” The Old Testament uses this imagery repeatedly (Deuteronomy 31:16; Daniel 12:2). To say someone “slept with their ancestors” was a way of speaking about death without finality. By Jesus’ time, many Jews, especially the Pharisees, believed in a future resurrection.
Greco-Roman culture also used sleep as a metaphor for death, often in inscriptions on tombs. But for them, it was resignation more than hope. In John’s Gospel, Jesus redefines the metaphor: sleep is not permanent because he has power to awaken. As Craig Keener observes, John 11 uses this imagery to set up the sign of resurrection and the deeper truth of eternal life in Christ (Keener, John 2:846). Raymond Brown adds that the Johannine community would have heard this as reassurance of Jesus’ authority over death itself (Brown, John 1:423).
Meaning of John 11:11
"Our friend Lazarus"
Jesus speaks with intimacy. Lazarus is not just a man in Bethany but a friend—ours, not only mine. The plural “our” invites the disciples into this bond. The relationship is communal, reminding us that faith and friendship intertwine.
This phrase shows that Jesus’ mission is never detached. He is not performing abstract miracles but caring for people he loves. D.A. Carson notes that calling Lazarus “our friend” sets the tone for the miracle as an act of love, not display (Carson, John, p. 412).
"Has fallen asleep"
The disciples misunderstand, thinking Lazarus is literally resting. But Jesus is using a common metaphor for death. For him, death is not final but temporary, like sleep before waking. This reframing shifts the perspective of grief: what seems permanent is only provisional.
Gail O’Day observes that this metaphor emphasizes both tenderness and authority. Jesus does not diminish the pain of death but redefines it within the horizon of God’s power (O’Day, John 2:695).
"But I am going there"
Here Jesus signals his intentionality. He is not avoiding Bethany, though danger awaits him there. He chooses to go, demonstrating courage and purpose. The journey to Lazarus foreshadows his own journey to the cross.
Andreas Köstenberger highlights that Jesus’ decision reflects obedience to the Father’s mission. His timing may puzzle the disciples, but his direction is clear: he goes where life must be restored (Köstenberger, John, p. 327).
"To awaken him"
Jesus alone has the power to awaken from death. The verb “awaken” points to resurrection, both in Lazarus’ case and ultimately in Jesus’ own. To awaken Lazarus is to reveal God’s glory and to foreshadow Easter morning.
Keener emphasizes that this is not resuscitation but a sign pointing to the greater reality of eternal life. The raising of Lazarus becomes the climactic sign that leads directly to Jesus’ own death and resurrection (Keener, John 2:850).
Theological Significance
John 11:11 encapsulates the Gospel’s claim over death. Jesus calls Lazarus’ death “sleep,” not to deny its reality but to assert his greater authority. Theologically, this verse foreshadows the resurrection and points to the believer’s hope: in Christ, death is temporary.
It also highlights the intimacy of salvation. Jesus is not a distant savior but one who knows his friends by name, enters into their grief, and restores life. For the Johannine community, this verse would confirm that death cannot sever the bond between Christ and his disciples.
Practical Applications
1. Comfort in Grief
Jesus reframes death as sleep. For believers, this provides hope that death is not final but awaits resurrection.
2. Friendship with Christ
Jesus calls Lazarus “our friend.” Discipleship is not only about following a teacher but about being loved by the Shepherd.
3. Courage in Obedience
Jesus goes to Bethany despite danger. Following him means trusting God’s mission even when it leads into risk.
4. Hope in Resurrection
To “awaken” Lazarus is to preview Easter. Our hope is not in avoiding death but in Christ’s power to overcome it.
5. Living with Perspective
If death is sleep, then our present struggles are reframed. We live with the assurance that God’s final word is life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why does Jesus call death “sleep”?
It reflects both Jewish tradition and his authority. Sleep is temporary, and Jesus can awaken the dead to life.
Q: Did the disciples misunderstand Jesus here?
Yes. They thought Lazarus was literally resting. Their misunderstanding highlights the difference between human perception and divine power.
Q: How does this verse point to resurrection?
By calling death sleep and promising to awaken Lazarus, Jesus anticipates both Lazarus’ miracle and his own resurrection.
Conclusion
John 11:11 is a small verse with immense hope. In calling Lazarus’ death “sleep,” Jesus reframes the way we see mortality. He is not dismissing grief but proclaiming authority over it. The Shepherd who knows his sheep also awakens them, proving that in him, life always has the last word.
