John 11:11

and after that and after this. These words indicate a pause in the narrative.

Our friend Lazarus sleepeth Better, Lazarus our friend is fallen asleep, or, is gone to rest. Sleep as an image of death is common from the dawn of literature; but the Gospel has raised the expression from a figure to a fact. Comp. Matthew 27:52; Acts 7:50; Acts 13:36; 1 Corinthians 7:39; 1Co 11:30; 1 Corinthians 15:6; 1 Corinthians 15:18; 1Th 4:13; 2 Peter 3:4. The thoroughly Christian term -cemetery" (sleeping-place) in the sense of a place of repose for the dead comes from the same Greek root. The exact time of Lazarus" death cannot be determined, for we do not know how long Christ took in reaching Bethany. Christ calls him - ourfriend," as claiming the sympathy of the disciples, who had shewn unwillingness to return to Judæa.

that I may awake him This shews that no messenger has come to announce the death. Christ sees the death as He foresees the resurrection: comp. John 11:4.