John 11:7-16

THE PURPOSE EXPLANED

Text 11:7-16

7

Then after this he saith to the disciples, Let us go into Judea again.

8

The disciples say unto him, Rabbi, the Jews were but now seeking to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?

9

Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If a man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.

10

But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because the light is not in him.

11

These things spake he: and after this he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus is fallen asleep; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.

12

The disciples therefore said unto him, Lord, if he is fallen asleep, he will recover.

13

Now Jesus had spoken of his death: but they thought that he spake of taking rest in sleep.

14

Then Jesus therefore said unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.

15

And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.

16

Thomas therefore, who is called Didymus, said unto his fellow-disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

Queries

a.

Why the dissertation on walking in the daylight?

b.

Why was Jesus glad at not being present when Lazarus died?

c.

With whom did Thomas plan to die?

Paraphrase

At the end of two days Jesus said to His disciples, Let us return to Judea. The disciples were shocked and said to Him, Master, the Jews are even at this very hour seeking to stone you to deathand you are going to return to Judea? Jesus answered, Are there not a certain number of allotted hours of light for the day wherein a man is to work and walk? If a man walks in these allotted hours of light he need not fear obstacles or enemies. But if a man does not avail himself of the God-allotted light and walks in darkness he will stumble and be overcome because the light does not illuminate his path. After speaking these words Jesus said to His disciples, Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep and I am returning to Judea in order to awaken him out of this sleep. Hearing this the disciples replied, Lord, if he has merely fallen asleep he will all the better recover from his sickness. (Now Jesus was speaking of Lazarus-' death; however, the disciples thought He was speaking about the repose of sleep.) Then Jesus said to them plainly and openly, Lazarus is dead! For your sakes I am glad that I was not present when he died in order that what subsequently transpires may strengthen your faith in Me. Let us then go to Judea and to Lazarus. Then Thomas, who is called Twin, spoke boldly to his fellow-disciples, If our Master is determined to return to Judea, let us also go that we may die with him!

Summary

After a delay Jesus now announces His determination to return to Judea. The disciples warn Him of the animosity of the Jews. Jesus tries to allay their fears by telling them that His intended return is within the divine plan of His Father and for the purpose of strengthening their faith. Thomas exhorts his fellow-disciples to courageously prepare to die with Jesus.

Comment

The disciples had never been given cause to doubt the bravery and courage of their Master. In fact, He displayed the most dauntless courage time after time. But now His expressed intention to return to Judea is looked upon by the disciples as foolhardiness.

John 11:9-10 is another of the Lord's enigmatic figures by which He sought to stimulate the spiritual discernment of the disciples. Taken in its context and considering another statement (John 9:4-5) of parallel figurativeness, we understand Jesus to be telling the disciples by this figure that it is safe to return to Judea because His hour has not yet come, Just as there is a certain amount of daylight hours allotted by God in which man can walk and work without fear of obstacles and enemies because he has light, so there is an allotted time in which the Son of God must accomplish His earthly ministry. The disciples have expressed urgent concern for His safety, but Jesus counters with this figurative affirmation that the time within the divine plan of the Father for His death is not yet, therefore they may safely return to Judea. Notice the similarity of thought between John 11:9-10 here and John 9:4-5: We must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. When I am in the world, I am the light of the world, As Lenski puts it, To walk and not to stumble means to go on with our life's work; (as God has given to each one of us an allotted day in which to work) to stumble means to come to the end of our life's work. (Interp. of St. John's Gospel, p. 787, R. C. H. Lenski) (parenthesis mine).

Jesus goes from one figure to another immediately. Again He uses the enigmatic metaphor of sleep for death to excite their spiritual understanding. There may be two reasons for speaking of death thus: (a) to soften the harshness of the reality of death, and, (b) to re-emphasize His first statement, This sickness is not unto death., i.e., to hint more strongly at a resurrection from death. Throughout the Scriptures the word sleep is applied to death to intimate that death will not be final. It is used to comfort believers and remove all that is stark and dreadful about death. Below are a few of the other comforting references to believer's death:

a.

Precious in the sight of Jehovah, Psalms 116:15

b.

Carried away by the angels, Luke 16:22

c.

Being in Paradise with Jesus, Luke 23:43

d.

Going to a place with many dwelling places, John 14:2

e.

A longed for departure, Philippians 1:23; 2 Timothy 4:6

f.

To be with Christat home with the Lord, Philippians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:8

g.

A very far better gain, Philippians 1:21; Philippians 1:23

h.

A rest from labors, Revelation 14:13

It is well to mention here that the mere reference to death as sleep does not teach the doctrine of soul-sleeping. As Hendriksen comments, Though the soul is asleep to the world which it has left it is awake with respect to its own world (cf. Luke 16:19-31; Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:21-23; Revelation 7:15-17; Revelation 20:4).

But the disciples took Jesus literally. If Lazarus was sick and had finally found restful repose, their opinion was that he would recover for it was said among the Jews that sleep in sickness is a sign of recovery, because it shows that the violence of the disease has abated. (Lightfoot)

So Jesus now felt the time was right to speak openly and plainly to the disciples. He wants to let them know that He knows Lazarus is dead and that his death is going to result in further evidence for their belief in Jesus. This, then, is the higher purpose that will be served by the death of Lazarus (cf. John 11:4). Jesus was preparing these men to witness His greatest miracle (excepting, of course, His own resurrection). As one commentator has said, ... a miracle comes to be wrought that exceeds in its revelation of the glory of the Father and the Son all the other miracles of Jesus, that brings the most wonderful blessings to those that behold and believe.

Seeing the determination of Jesus to return into the face of the enraged rulers in Judea, Thomas resigns himself to go with his Master even if it means death by stoning. There is no reason to think Thomas is referring to Lazarus as the one with whom he is resigned to die. He is probably not certain yet whether Lazarus is sick or deadbut he is sure, as are the others, that if Jesus returns to Judea He faces certain death. The apostles were courageous men. One wonders if, when Jesus was about to be arrested, He had called upon them to fight they would not have fought valiantly (cf. John 18:10-11). Peter was ready to die with Jesus (cf. Matthew 26:35)but when Jesus submitted willingly to the humiliating torture and mockery, the disciples fled. This was not their idea of a MessiahifHe had fought they were ready and were courageousthey were not cowards. But humiliationthat was another story.

The groundwork has been laid well. The disciples are certain they face death in Judea. But Jesus knows they will see Him in all His glory as The Resurrection and the Life.

Quiz

1.

What is the message behind the enigmatic statement of John 11:9-10?

2.

When Jesus said that Lazarus was asleep did He mean that the soul is unconscious after death? Prove your answer by Scripture references.

3.

What is the significance of the Lord's use of the word sleep to refer to death?

4.

What is the ultimate purpose of the raising of Lazarus?

5.

What of Thomas-' statement, ... that we may die with him. Was it bravery, cowardice or pessimism?