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John Chapter
Eleven
John 11
We come now to the testimony which the Father renders to
Jesus in answer to His rejection. In this chapter the power of resurrection and
of life in His own Person are presented to faith. [1] But here it is not simply that He is
rejected: man is looked upon as dead
and Israel also. For it is man in the
person of Lazarus. This family was blessed; it received the Lord into its
bosom. Lazarus falls sick. All the Lord's human affections would be naturally
concerned. Martha and Mary feel this; and they send Him word that he whom He
loved was sick. But Jesus stays where He is. He might have said the word
as in
the case of the centurion
and of the sick child at the beginning of this
Gospel. But He did not. He had manifested His power and His goodness in healing
man as he is found on earth
and delivering him from the enemy
and that in the
midst of Israel. But this was not His object here-far from it-or the limits of
what He was come to do. It was a question of bestowing life
or raising up
again that which was dead before God. This was the real state of Israel; it was
the state of man. Therefore He allows the condition of man under sin to go on
and manifest itself in all the intensity of its effects down here
and permits
the enemy to exercise his power to the end. Nothing remained but the judgment
of God; and death
in itself
convicted man of sin while conducting him to
judgment. The sick may be healed-there is no remedy for death. All is over for
man
as man here below. Nothing remains but the judgment of God. It is
appointed unto men once to die
but after this the judgment. The Lord therefore
does not heal in this instance. He allows the evil to go on to the end-to
death. That was the true place of man. Lazarus once fallen asleep
He goes to
awaken him. The disciples fear the Jews
and with reason. But the Lord
having
waited for His Father's will
does not fear to accomplish it. It was day to Him.
In fact
whatever might be His love for the nation
He must needs let
it die (indeed it was dead)
and wait for the time appointed by God to raise it
up again. If He must die Himself to accomplish it
He commits Himself to His
Father.
But let us follow out the depths of this doctrine. Death
has come in; it must take effect. Man is really in death before God; but God in
grace comes in. Two things are presented in our history. He might have healed.
The faith and hope of neither Martha
Mary
nor the Jews
went any farther.
Only Martha acknowledges that
as the Messiah
favoured of God
He would obtain
from Him whatsoever He asked. But He had not prevented the death of Lazarus. He
had done so many times
even for strangers
for whosoever desired it. In the second
place
Martha knew that her brother would rise again at the last day; but true
as it was
this truth availed nothing. Who would answer for man
dead through
judgment on sin? To rise again and appear before God was not an answer to death
come in by sin. The two things were true. Christ had often delivered mortal man
from his sufferings in flesh
and there shall be a resurrection at the last
day. But these things were of no value in the presence of death. Christ was
however
there; and He is
thanks be to God! the resurrection and the life. Man
being dead
resurrection comes first. But Jesus is the resurrection and the
life in the present power of a divine life. And observe that life
coming by
resurrection
delivers from all that death implies
and leaves it behind [2] sin
death
all that belongs to the life
that man has lost. Christ
having died for our sins
has borne their
punishment-has borne them. He has died. All the power of the enemy
all its
effect on mortal man
all the judgment of God
He has borne it all
and has
come up from it
in the power of a new life in resurrection
which is imparted
to us; so that we are in spirit alive from among the dead
as He is alive from
among the dead. Sin (as made sin
and bearing our sins in His own body on the
tree)
death
Satan's power
God's judgment
are all past through and left
behind
and man is in a wholly new state
in incorruption. It will be true of
us
if we die (for we shall not all die)
as to the body
or
being changed
if
we do not die. But in the communication of His life who is risen from the dead
God has quickened us with Him
having forgiven us all our trespasses.
Jesus here manifested His own divine power to this
effect; the Son of God was glorified in it
for we know He had not yet died for
sin; but it was this same power in Him that was manifested. [3] The believer
even if he were dead
shall
rise again; and the living who believe in Him shall not die. Christ has
overcome death; the power for this was in His Person
and the Father bore Him
witness of it. Are any that are His alive when the Lord exercises this power? They
will never die-death exists no more in His presence. Have any died before He
exercises it? They shall live-death cannot subsist before Him. All the effect
of sin upon man is completely destroyed by resurrection
viewed as the power of
life in Christ. This refers of course to the saints
to whom life is
communicated. The same divine power is
of course
exercised as to the wicked;
but it is not the communication of life from Christ
nor being raised with Him
as is evident. [4] Christ exercised this power in obedience and
in dependence on His Father
because He was man
walking before God to do His
will; but He is the resurrection and the life. He has brought the power of divine
life into the midst of death; and death is annihilated by it
for in life death
is no more. Death was the end of natural life to sinful man. Resurrection is
the end of death
which has thus no longer anything in us. It is our advantage
that
having done all it could do
it is finished. We live in the life [5] that put an end to it. We come out from all
that could be connected with a life that no longer exists. What a deliverance!
Christ is this power. He became this for us in its full display and exercise in
His resurrection.
Martha
while loving Him and believing in Him
does not
understand this; and she calls Mary
feeling that her sister would better
understand the Lord. We will speak a little of these two presently. Mary
who
waited for the Lord's own calling her to Him
modestly though sorrowfully
leaving the initiative with Him
believing thus that the Lord had called her
goes to Him directly. Jews and Martha and Mary all had seen miracles and
healings that had arrested the power of death. To this they all refer. But here
life had passed away. What now could help? If He had been there
His love and
power they could have counted on. Mary falls down at His feet weeping. On the
point of resurrection power she understood no more than Martha; but her heart
is melted under the sense of death in the presence of Him who had life. It is
an expression of need and sorrow rather than a complaint that she utters. The
Jews also weep: the power of death was on their hearts. Jesus enters into it in
sympathy. He was troubled in spirit. He sighs before God
He weeps with man;
but His tears turn into a groan
which was
though inarticulate
the weight of
death
felt in sympathy
and presented to God by this groan of love which fully
realised the truth; and that in love to those who were suffering the ill that
His groan expressed.
He bore death before God in His spirit as the misery of man-the yoke
from which man could not deliver himself
and He is heard. The need brings His
power into action. It was not His part now patiently to explain to Martha what
He was. He feels and acts upon the need to which Mary had given expression
her
heart being opened by the grace that was in Him.
Man may sympathise: it is the expression of his
powerlessness. Jesus enters into the affliction of mortal man
puts Himself
under the burden of death that weighs upon man (and that more thoroughly than
man himself can do)
but He takes it away with its cause. He does more than
take it away; He brings in the power that is able to take it away. This is the
glory of God. When Christ is present
if we die
we do not die for death
but
for life: we die that we may live in the life of God
instead of in the life of
man. And wherefore? That the Son of God may be glorified. Death came in by sin;
and man is under the power of death. But this has only given room for our
possessing life according to the second Adam
the Son of God
and not according
to the first Adam
the sinful man. This is grace. God is glorified in this work
of grace
and it is the Son of God whose glory shines brightly forth in this
divine work.
And
observe
that this is not grace offered in
testimony
it is the exercise of the power of life. Corruption itself is no
hindrance to God. Why did Christ come? To bring the words of eternal life to
dead man. Now Mary fed upon those words. Martha served-cumbered her heart with
many things. She believed
she loved Jesus
she received Him into her house:
the Lord loved her. Mary listened to Him: this was what He came for; and He had
justified her in it. The good part which she had chosen should not be taken
from her.
When the Lord arrives
Martha goes of her own accord to
meet Him. She withdraws when Jesus speaks to her of the present power of life.
We are ill at ease when
although Christians
we feel unable to apprehend the
meaning of the Lord's words
or of what His people say to us. Martha felt that
this was rather Mary's part than hers. She goes away and calls her sister
saying
that the Master (He who taught-observe this name that she gives Him)
was come
and called for her. It was her own conscience that was to her the
voice of Christ. Mary instantly arises and comes to Him. She understood no more
than Martha. Her heart pours out its need at the feet of Jesus
where she had
heard His words and learnt His love and grace; and Jesus asks the way to the
grave. To Martha
ever occupied with circumstances
her brother stank already.
Afterwards (Martha served
and Lazarus was present)
Mary
anoints the Lord
in the instinctive sense of what was going on; for they were
consulting to put Him to death. Her heart
taught by love to the Lord
felt the
enmity of the Jews; and her affection
stimulated by deep gratitude
expends on
Him the most costly thing she had. Those present blame her; Jesus again takes
her part. It might not be reasonable
but she had apprehended His position.
What a lesson! What a blessed family was this at Bethany
in which the heart of
Jesus found (as far as could be on earth) a relief that His love accepted! With
what love have we to do! Alas
with what hatred! for we see in this Gospel the
dreadful opposition between man and God.
There is an interesting point to be observed here before
we pass on. The Holy Ghost has recorded an incident
in which the momentary but
guilty unbelief of Thomas was covered by the Lord's grace. It was needful to
relate it; but the Holy Ghost has taken care to shew us
that Thomas loved the
Lord
and was ready
at heart
to die with Him. We have other instances of the
same kind. Paul says
"Take Mark
and bring him with thee; for he is
profitable to me for the ministry." Poor Mark! this was necessary on
account of what took place at Perga. Barnabas also has the same place in the
apostle's affection and remembrance. We are weak: God does not hide it from us;
but He throws the testimony of His grace over the feeblest of His servants.
But to continue. Caiaphas
the chief of the Jews
as high
priest
proposes the death of Jesus
because He had restored Lazarus to life.
And from that day they conspire against Him. Jesus yields to it. He came to
give His life a ransom for many. He goes on to fulfil the work His love had
undertaken
in accordance with His Father's will
whatever might be the devices
and the malice of men. The work of life and Or death
of Satan and of God
were
face to face. But the counsels of God were being accomplished in grace
whatever the means might be. Jesus devotes Himself to the work by which they
were to be fulfilled. Having shewn the power of resurrection and of life in
Himself
He is again
when the time comes
quietly in the place to which His
service led Him; but He no longer goes in the same manner as before into the
temple. He goes thither indeed; but the question between God and man was
morally settled already.
[1] It
is very striking to see the Lord in the lowliness of obedient service
allowing
evil to have its full way in man's failure (death) and Satan's power
till His
Father's will called Him to meet it. Then no danger hinders
and then He is the
resurrection and the life in personal presence and power
and then giving
Himself-being such
up to death for us.
[2]
Christ took human life in grace and sinless; and as alive in this life He took
sin upon Him. Sin belongs
so to speak
to this life in which Christ knew no
sin
but was made sin for us. But He dies-He quits this life. He is dead to
sin; He has done with sin in having done with the life to which sin belonged
not in Him indeed but in us
and alive in which He was made sin for us.Raised
up again by the power of God
He lives in a new condition
into which sin
cannot enter
being left behind with the life that He left. Faith brings us
into it by grace. It has been pretended that these thoughts affect the divine
and eternal life which was in Christ. But this is all idle and evil cavil. Even
in an unconverted sinner
dying or laying down life has nothing to do with
ceasing to exist as to the life of the man within. All live to God
and divine
life in Christ never could cease or be changed. He never laid that down
but in
the power of that
laid down His life as He possessed it here as man
to take
it up in an entirely new way in resurrection beyond the grave. The cavil is a
very evil cavil. In this edition I have changed nothing in this note
but have
added a few words in the hope that it may be clear to all. The doctrine itself
is vital truth. In the text I have erased or altered a part for another reason
namely
that there was confusion between the divine power of life in Christ
and God's raising Him viewed as a dead man from the grave. Both are true and
blessedly so
but they are different and were here confounded together. In
Ephesians Christ as man is raised by God. In John it is the divine and
quickening power in Himself.
[3]
Resurrection has a double character: divine power
which He could exercise and
did exercise as to Himself (chap. 2:19)
and here as to Lazarus
both the proof
of divine sonship; and the deliverance of a dead man from his state of death.
Thus God raised Christ from the dead
so here Christ raises Lazarus. In
Christ's resurrection both were united in His own Person. Here
of course
they
were separate. But Christ has life in Himself and that in divine power. But He laid
down His life in grace. We are quickened together with Him in Ephesians 2. But
it seems avoided saying
He was quickened
when speaking of Him alone in
chapter 1.
[4] The
cavil I have referred to in the note to page 345 sanctions (most unwittingly
I
gladly admit) the pestiferous doctrine of annihilation
as if laying down life
or death
that is the end of natural life
were ceasing to exist. I notice it
because this form of evil doctrine is one very current now. It subverts the
whole substance of Christianity.
[5]
Observe the sense which the apostle had of the power of this life
when he
says
"That mortality might be swallowed up of life." Consider
in
this point of view
the first five chapters of 2 Corinthians.
── John Darby《Synopsis of John》
John 11
Chapter Contents
The sickness of Lazarus. (1-6) Christ returns to Judea.
(7-10) The death of Lazarus. (11-16) Christ arrives at Bethany. (17-32) He
raises Lazarus. (33-46) The Pharisees consult against Jesus. (47-53) The Jews
seek for him. (54-57)
Commentary on John 11:1-6
(Read John 11:1-6)
It is no new thing for those whom Christ loves
to be
sick; bodily distempers correct the corruption
and try the graces of God's
people. He came not to preserve his people from these afflictions
but to save
them from their sins
and from the wrath to come; however
it behoves us to
apply to Him in behalf of our friends and relatives when sick and afflicted.
Let this reconcile us to the darkest dealings of Providence
that they are all
for the glory of God: sickness
loss
disappointment
are so; and if God be
glorified
we ought to be satisfied. Jesus loved Martha
and her sister
and
Lazarus. The families are greatly favoured in which love and peace abound; but
those are most happy whom Jesus loves
and by whom he is beloved. Alas
that
this should seldom be the case with every person
even in small families. God
has gracious intentions
even when he seems to delay. When the work of
deliverance
temporal or spiritual
public or personal
is delayed
it does but
stay for the right time.
Commentary on John 11:7-10
(Read John 11:7-10)
Christ never brings his people into any danger but he
goes with them in it. We are apt to think ourselves zealous for the Lord
when
really we are only zealous for our wealth
credit
ease
and safety; we have
therefore need to try our principles. But our day shall be lengthened out
till
our work is done
and our testimony finished. A man has comfort and
satisfaction while in the way of his duty
as set forth by the word of God
and
determined by the providence of God. Christ
wherever he went
walked in the
day; and so shall we
if we follow his steps. If a man walks in the way of his
heart
and according to the course of this world
if he consults his own carnal
reasonings more than the will and glory of God
he falls into temptations and
snares. He stumbles
because there is no light in him; for light in us is to
our moral actions
that which light about us to our natural actions.
Commentary on John 11:11-16
(Read John 11:11-16)
Since we are sure to rise again at the last
why should
not the believing hope of that resurrection to eternal life
make it as easy
for us to put off the body and die
as it is to put off our clothes and go to
sleep? A true Christian
when he dies
does but sleep; he rests from the
labours of the past day. Nay
herein death is better than sleep
that sleep is
only a short rest
but death is the end of earthly cares and toils. The
disciples thought that it was now needless for Christ to go to Lazarus
and
expose himself and them. Thus we often hope that the good work we are called to
do
will be done by some other hand
if there be peril in the doing of it. But
when Christ raised Lazarus from the dead
many were brought to believe on him;
and there was much done to make perfect the faith of those that believed. Let
us go to him; death cannot separate from the love of Christ
nor put us out of
the reach of his call. Like Thomas
in difficult times Christians should
encourage one another. The dying of the Lord Jesus should make us willing to
die whenever God calls us.
Commentary on John 11:17-32
(Read John 11:17-32)
Here was a house where the fear of God was
and on which
his blessing rested; yet it was made a house of mourning. Grace will keep
sorrow from the heart
but not from the house. When God
by his grace and providence
is coming towards us in ways of mercy and comfort
we should
like Martha
go
forth by faith
hope
and prayer
to meet him. When Martha went to meet Jesus
Mary sat still in the house; this temper formerly had been an advantage to her
when it put her at Christ's feet to hear his word; but in the day of
affliction
the same temper disposed her to melancholy. It is our wisdom to
watch against the temptations
and to make use of the advantages of our natural
tempers. When we know not what in particular to ask or expect
let us refer
ourselves to God; let him do as seemeth him good. To enlarge Martha's
expectations
our Lord declared himself to be the Resurrection and the Life. In
every sense he is the Resurrection; the source
the substance
the first-fruits
the cause of it. The redeemed soul lives after death in happiness; and after
the resurrection
both body and soul are kept from all evil for ever. When we
have read or heard the word of Christ
about the great things of the other
world
we should put it to ourselves
Do we believe this truth? The crosses and
comforts of this present time would not make such a deep impression upon us as
they do
if we believed the things of eternity as we ought. When Christ our
Master comes
he calls for us. He comes in his word and ordinances
and calls
us to them
calls us by them
calls us to himself. Those who
in a day of
peace
set themselves at Christ's feet to be taught by him
may with comfort
in a day of trouble
cast themselves at his feet
to find favour with him.
Commentary on John 11:33-46
(Read John 11:33-46)
Christ's tender sympathy with these afflicted friends
appeared by the troubles of his spirit. In all the afflictions of believers he
is afflicted. His concern for them was shown by his kind inquiry after the
remains of his deceased friend. Being found in fashion as a man
he acts in the
way and manner of the sons of men. It was shown by his tears. He was a man of
sorrows
and acquainted with grief. Tears of compassion resemble those of
Christ. But Christ never approved that sensibility of which many are proud
while they weep at mere tales of distress
but are hardened to real woe. He
sets us an example to withdraw from scenes of giddy mirth
that we may comfort
the afflicted. And we have not a High Priest who cannot be touched with a
feeling of our infirmities. It is a good step toward raising a soul to
spiritual life
when the stone is taken away
when prejudices are removed
and
got over
and way is made for the word to enter the heart. If we take Christ's
word
and rely on his power and faithfulness
we shall see the glory of God
and be happy in the sight. Our Lord Jesus has taught us
by his own example
to
call God Father
in prayer
and to draw nigh to him as children to a father
with humble reverence
yet with holy boldness. He openly made this address to
God
with uplifted eyes and loud voice
that they might be convinced the Father
had sent him as his beloved Son into the world. He could have raised Lazarus by
the silent exertion of his power and will
and the unseen working of the Spirit
of life; but he did it by a loud call. This was a figure of the gospel call
by
which dead souls are brought out of the grave of sin: and of the sound of the
archangel's trumpet at the last day
with which all that sleep in the dust
shall be awakened
and summoned before the great tribunal. The grave of sin and
this world
is no place for those whom Christ has quickened; they must come
forth. Lazarus was thoroughly revived
and returned not only to life
but to
health. The sinner cannot quicken his own soul
but he is to use the means of
grace; the believer cannot sanctify himself
but he is to lay aside every
weight and hinderance. We cannot convert our relatives and friends
but we
should instruct
warn
and invite them.
Commentary on John 11:47-53
(Read John 11:47-53)
There can hardly be a more clear discovery of the madness
that is in man's heart
and of its desperate enmity against God
than what is
here recorded. Words of prophecy in the mouth
are not clear evidence of a
principle of grace in the heart. The calamity we seek to escape by sin
we take
the most effectual course to bring upon our own heads; as those do who think by
opposing Christ's kingdom
to advance their own worldly interest. The fear of
the wicked shall come upon them. The conversion of souls is the gathering of
them to Christ as their ruler and refuge; and he died to effect this. By dying
he purchased them to himself
and the gift of the Holy Ghost for them: his love
in dying for believers should unite them closely together.
Commentary on John 11:54-57
(Read John 11:54-57)
Before our gospel passover we must renew our repentance.
Thus by a voluntary purification
and by religious exercises
many
more devout
than their neighbours
spent some time before the passover at Jerusalem. When
we expect to meet God
we must solemnly prepare. No devices of man can alter
the purposes of God: and while hypocrites amuse themselves with forms and
disputes
and worldly men pursue their own plans
Jesus still orders all things
for his own glory and the salvation of his people.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on John》
John 11
Verse 2
[2] (It
was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment
and wiped his feet with
her hair
whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
It was that Mary who afterward anointed
etc.
She was more known than her elder sister Martha
and as such is named before
her.
Verse 4
[4] When Jesus heard that
he said
This sickness is not unto death
but for
the glory of God
that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
This sickness is not to death
but for the
glory of God — The event of this sickness will not be
death
in the usual sense of the word
a final separation of his soul and body;
but a manifestation of the glorious power of God.
Verse 7
[7] Then
after that saith he to his disciples
Let us go into Judaea again.
Let us go into Judea — From the country east of Jordan
whither he had retired some time
before
when the Jews sought to stone him
John 10:39
40.
Verse 9
[9]
Jesus answered
Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the
day
he stumbleth not
because he seeth the light of this world.
Are there not twelve hours in the day? — The Jews always divided the space from sunrise to sunset
were the days
longer or shorter
into twelve parts: so that the hours of their day were all
the year the same in number
though much shorter in winter than in summer.
If any man walk in the day he stumbleth not — As if he had said
So there is such a space
a determined time
which
God has allotted me. During that time I stumble not
amidst all the snares that
are laid for me.
Because he seeth the light of this world — And so I see the light of God surrounding me.
Verse 10
[10] But if a man walk in the night
he stumbleth
because there is no light in
him.
But if a man walk in the night — If he have not light from God; if his providence does no longer protect
him.
Verse 11
[11]
These things said he: and after that he saith unto them
Our friend Lazarus
sleepeth; but I go
that I may awake him out of sleep.
Our friend Lazarus sleepeth — This he spoke
just when he died.
Sleepeth —
Such is the death of good men in the language of heaven. But the disciples did
not yet understand this language. And the slowness of our understanding makes
the Scripture often descend to our barbarous manner of speaking.
Verse 16
[16] Then
said Thomas
which is called Didymus
unto his fellow disciples
Let us also
go
that we may die with him.
Thomas in Hebrew
as Didymus in Greek
signifies a twin.
With him —
With Jesus
whom he supposed the Jews would kill. It seems to be the language
of despair.
Verse 20
[20] Then
Martha
as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming
went and met him: but Mary
sat still in the house.
Mary sat in the house — Probably not hearing what was said.
Verse 22
[22] But
I know
that even now
whatsoever thou wilt ask of God
God will give it thee.
Whatsoever thou wilt ask
God will give it
thee — So that she already believed he could
raise him from the dead.
Verse 25
[25]
Jesus said unto her
I am the resurrection
and the life: he that believeth in
me
though he were dead
yet shall he live:
l am the resurrection — Of the dead.
And the life — Of
the living.
He that believeth in me
though he die
yet
shall he live — In life everlasting.
Verse 32
[32] Then
when Mary was come where Jesus was
and saw him
she fell down at his feet
saying unto him
Lord
if thou hadst been here
my brother had not died.
She fell at his feet — This Martha had not done. So she makes amends for her slowness in
coming.
Verse 33
[33] When
Jesus therefore saw her weeping
and the Jews also weeping which came with her
he groaned in the spirit
and was troubled
He groaned — So
he restrained his tears. So he stopped them soon after
John 11:38.
He troubled himself — An
expression amazingly elegant
and full of the highest propriety. For the
affections of Jesus were not properly passions
but voluntary emotions
which
were wholly in his own power. And this tender trouble which he now voluntarily
sustained
was full of the highest order and reason.
Verse 35
[35]
Jesus wept.
Jesus wept —
Out of sympathy with those who were in tears all around him
as well as from a
deep sense of the misery sin had brought upon human nature.
Verse 37
[37] And
some of them said
Could not this man
which opened the eyes of the blind
have
caused that even this man should not have died?
Could not this person have even caused
that
this man should not have died? — Yet they never
dreamed that he could raise him again! What a strange mixture of faith and
unbelief.
Verse 38
[38]
Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave
and a stone lay upon it.
It was a cave — So
Abraham
Isaac
and Jacob
and their wives
except Rachel
were buried in the
cave of Machpelah
Genesis 49:29-31. These caves were commonly in
rocks
which abounded in that country
either hollowed by nature or hewn by
art. And the entrance was shut up with a great stone
which sometimes had a
monumental inscription.
Verse 39
[39]
Jesus said
Take ye away the stone. Martha
the sister of him that was dead
saith unto him
Lord
by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four
days.
Lord
by this time he stinketh — Thus did reason and faith struggle together.
Verse 40
[40]
Jesus saith unto her
Said I not unto thee
that
if thou wouldest believe
thou shouldest see the glory of God?
Said I not — It
appears by this
that Christ had said more to Martha than is before recorded.
Verse 41
[41] Then
they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus
lifted up his eyes
and said
Father
I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
Jesus lifted up his eyes — Not as if he applied to his Father for assistance. There is not the
least show of this. He wrought the miracle with an air of absolute sovereignty
as the Lord of life and death. But it was as if he had said
I thank thee
that
by the disposal of thy providence
thou hast granted my desire
in this
remarkable opportunity of exerting my power
and showing forth thy praise.
Verse 43
[43] And
when he thus had spoken
he cried with a loud voice
Lazarus
come forth.
He cried with a loud voice — That all who were present might hear.
Lazarus
come forth —
Jesus called him out of the tomb as easily as if he had been not only alive
but awake also.
Verse 44
[44] And
he that was dead came forth
bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his
face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them
Loose him
and let
him go.
And he came forth bound hand and foot with
grave clothes — Which were wrapt round each hand and each
foot
and his face was wrapt about with a napkin - If the Jews buried as the
Egyptians did
the face was not covered with it
but it only went round the
forehead
and under the chin; so that he might easily see his way.
Verse 45
[45] Then
many of the Jews which came to Mary
and had seen the things which Jesus did
believed on him.
Many believed on Him — And so the Son of God was glorified
according to what our Lord had
said
John 11:4.
Verse 46
[46] But
some of them went their ways to the Pharisees
and told them what things Jesus
had done.
But some of them went to the Pharisees — What a dreadful confirmation of that weighty truth
If they hear not
Moses and the prophets
neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the
dead!
Verse 47
[47] Then
gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council
and said
What do we?
for this man doeth many miracles.
What do we? —
What? Believe. Yea
but death yields to the power of Christ sooner than
infidelity.
Verse 48
[48] If we
let him thus alone
all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and
take away both our place and nation.
All men will believe — And receive him as the Messiah. And this will give such umbrage to the
Romans that they will come and subvert both our place - Temple; and nation -
Both our Church and state. Were they really afraid of this? Or was it a fair
colour only? Certainly it was no more. For they could not but know
that he
that raised the dead was able to conquer the Romans.
Verse 49
[49] And
one of them
named Caiaphas
being the high priest that same year
said unto
them
Ye know nothing at all
That year —
That memorable year
in which Christ was to die. It was the last and chief of
Daniel's seventy weeks
the fortieth year before the destruction of Jerusalem
and was celebrated for various causes
in the Jewish history. Therefore that
year is so peculiarly mentioned: Caiaphas was the high priest both before and
after it.
Ye know nothing — He
reproves their slow deliberations in so clear a case.
Verse 50
[50] Nor
consider that it is expedient for us
that one man should die for the people
and that the whole nation perish not.
It is expedient that one man should die for
the people — So God overruled his tongue
for he spake
not of himself
by his own spirit only
but by the spirit of prophecy. And thus
he gave unawares as clear a testimony to the priestly
as Pilate did to the
kingly office of Christ.
Verse 52
[52] And
not for that nation only
but that also he should gather together in one the
children of God that were scattered abroad.
But that
he might gather into one — Church
all the children of God that were scattered abroad - Through all
ages and nations.
Verse 55
[55] And
the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to
Jerusalem before the passover
to purify themselves.
Many went up to purify themselves — That they might remove all hinderances to their eating the passover.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on John》
Chapter 11. The Risen Lazarus
The Work of
God: Foreman
Fellowship with God: Worker
I. The Family
at Bethany
II. Three Kinds
of Weeping
III. The Rising
of Lazarus
── Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》
JESUS.
There is no Gospel which brings out
in such a striking manner the humanity of Christ
as the one which presents in
such a remarkable way the Deity of Jesus
namely
the Gospel according to John;
and chapter 11. is an illustration of this fact. This may be gathered if the
name “ Jesus” is pondered over. It occurs no less than twenty-four times.
The Attention of Jesus (verse 4).
The Love of Jesus (verse 5).
The Response of Jesus (verse 9).
The Word of Jesus (verse 13).
The Plainness of Jesus (verse 14).
The Coming of Jesus (verse 17).
The Approach of Jesus (verse 20).
The Lordship of Jesus (verse 21).
The Encouragement of Jesus (verse 23).
The Unfolding of Jesus (verse 25).
The Tarrying of Jesus (verse 30).
The Person of Jesus (verse 32).
The Eyes of Jesus (verse 33).
The Sympathy of Jesus (verse 35).
The Groaning of Jesus (verse 38).
The Command of Jesus (verse 39).
The Reminder of Jesus (verse 40).
The Faith of Jesus (verse 41).
The Direction of Jesus (verse 44).
The Work of Jesus (verse 45).
The Testimony about Jesus (verse 46).
The Atonement of Jesus (verse 51).
The Retirement of Jesus (verse 54).
The Hunting of Jesus (verse 56).
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
JESUS AT THE GRAVE OF LAZARUS.
Ⅰ.
The Sympathy of Jesus（John 11:35）. We
might call this verse “Jesus wept
” the shortest verse in the Bible with the
greatest meaning. The heart of Jesus ever beats in sympathy with the need of
humanity
as His hand is ever ready to meet the need He sees. Mr. Spurgeon has
well called this verse “ a unique verse
” He sees. “ I have often felt vexed
with the man
whoever he was
who chopped up the New Testament into verses. He
seems to have let the hatchet drop indiscriminately here and there
but I
forgive him a great deal of blundering for his wisdom in letting these two
words make a verse for themselves
“ Jesus wept.” This is a diamond of the
first water
and it cannot have another gem set with it
for it is unique.
Shortest of verses in words
but were is there a longer one in sense? Let it
stand in solitary sublimity and simplicity.”
Three
times we read of Jesus weeping. He wept tears of personal suffering (Heb.5:7)
tears of compassion (Luke 19:41)
and here tears of sympathy.
Ⅱ.
The Command of Jesus (verse 39).
There was a work which those who were standing by the grave had to do
before
Christ spoke the life-giving word that raised Lazarus from the dead
and that
was to remove the stone which lay at the tomb’s mouth. There are many stones
that believers can roll away which keep the unsaved from hearing Christ’s
voice. Here are some stones to roll away:--
The
rocky stone of ignorance.
The
granite stone of unbelief.
The
slaty stone of error.
The
lime-stone of prejudice.
The
hard stone of doubt.
The
slippery stone of inconsistency.
The
dazzling stone of fear.
Ⅲ.
The power of Jesus (verse 41-44).
Disease
devils
and death had all to submit to Christ. The miracles of Christ
in His earthly life are but illustrations of what He can do now in resurrection
power by the Holy Spirit through the preaching of the Gospel. Those who are
dead in ceremonialism. (Rev.3:1) He can quicken; those who are buried in the
pleasures of the world (1. Tim.5:6) He can raise to delight in the pleasures
that last for evermore (Psalm 16:11); those who are devoid of spiritual life
and love
like the prodigal in the far country (Luke 15:24)
He can robe and
rejoice (Luke 15:22
23); and those who
like the Ephesians
are ruled by the
powers of darkness( Eph.2:1-3; Acts 19:19) He can raise to the heavenly places
(Eph.2:6)
and make them fight against the powers that once held them in their
grip (Eph.6:12).
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》