John 11

Ruben's painting of the beloved disciple. The Gospel of John is a uniquely written scripture from the "Johannine" society.
Comments
V2 This Mary whose brother Lazarus had anointed the Lord.
V5 Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
V7 Let us go into Judaea again.
V8 disciples say the Jews
V9-10 The light will show us the way.
V11 Lazarus sleepeth; that I may awake him
V14 Jesus said plainly, Lazarus is dead.
V16 Thomas (Didymus) Let us also go, that we may die with him. Doubted the light.
V20 "but Mary sat still" The word her is the verb kathezomai but appears as ekathezeto^[1] scholars admit this is an idiom that does not mean she was sitting. Does it just mean she remained in the house or that she remained "still" as the King James Version says. The only author that uses this idiom is John. We see it used where Jesus is sitting by Jacob's well of the Samaritan.
V24 Martha knows there is a resurrection at the last day.^[2]
V27-28 Martha believes He is the Christ, the Son of God. And calls Him The Master^[3].
V33 Jesus saw the Jews weeping, he groaned ^[4] in the spirit, and was troubled, ^[5] This groaning and being troubled in his spirit is a very unique statement and choice of words. ἐνεβριμήσατο τῷ πνεύματι καὶ ἐτάραξεν ἑαυτόν enebrimísato^[4] tó pnéumati kaí etárassen^[5] eaftón, In Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers we see stated, "The word rendered "groaned" occurs, besides in this verse and John 11:38, three times in the New Testament; in Matthew 9:30 ("and Jesus straitly charged them"); Mark 1:43 ("and He straitly charged him"); and Mark 14:5 ("and they murmured against her")... The original meaning of the word is "to snort, as of horses." Passing to the moral sense, it expresses disturbance of the mind--vehement agitation. This may express itself in sharp admonition, in words of anger against a person, or in a physical shudder, answering to the intensity of the emotion. In each of the passages in the earlier Gospels the word is accompanied by an object upon which the feeling is directed. In the present context it does not go beyond the subject of the feeling. Here it is "in the spirit" (comp. John 13:21); and in John 11:38 it is "in Himself." Both mean the same thing; and point to the inner moral depth of His righteous indignation; the object of it, however, is not expressed..." Or doese it? But the spirit of Christ is not void. So, what is the object of Jesus's "sharp admonition" or "stern warning"? And who was it directed at? Did it involve these Jews who came from Jerusalem 1.9 miles from where there was a plot to kill Jesus?
David Robert Palmer adds in his footnote 201 of his Revised, 2nd Edition translation and commentary much the same as Ellicott's Commentary" of December 10, 2023 ^[6] says much the same but includes a prophetic quote from Daniel 11:30^[7] where the same word is use in the Septuagint.
V35 Jesus wept. Ellicott's Commentary states, "The word is different from that which is used to express weeping in John 11:33; but this latter is used of our Lord in Luke 19:41."^[8]
V39 Raises Lazarus
44 he that was dead came forth... Loose him,

52 "gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad."
Questions
Why did Jesus groan^[4] twice and who or what made him groan and why was he troubled?^[5]
Who was this family of Simon, Lazarus, Martha, and Mary?
Is the woman of the city, Mary Magdalene, and Mary, the daughter of Simon, different people or are they the same person?
Is Simon the Jarmaker, Simon the Pharisee, Simon the Leper, and Nicodemus the same individual?

The Death of Lazarus

1 ¶ Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.

2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)

3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.

Might be glorified

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.

5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.

6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.

7 Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.

Walk in light

8 His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?

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.

10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.

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.

12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.

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

Let us die too

14 Then said Jesus 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 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

I Am the Resurrection and the Life

17 ¶ Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.

18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:^[9]

19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

Mary sat still

20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.

21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.

Which resurrection

23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.

24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.^[2]

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:

26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

Weeping and groaning

28 And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly^[10], saying, The Master^[3] is come, and calleth for thee.

29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.

30 Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.

31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.

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.

He groaned

33 ¶ When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned^[4] in the spirit, and was troubled^[5],

34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.

=== Wept for whom ==≈

35 Jesus wept.

36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

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?

38 Jesus therefore again groaning^[4] in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.

Jesus Raises Lazarus

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.

40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

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.

42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.

Come forth

43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

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.

The Beleivers and Plotters

45 ¶ Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.

46 But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.

47 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.

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.

Faithless Caiaphas

49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,

50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.

51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;

52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.

53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.

Walked not openly

54 Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.

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.

56 Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast?

57 Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him.

↑ 2516. καθεζομαὶ kathezomai kath-ed’-zom-ahee; from 2596 and the base of 1476; to sit down: — sit. ‭
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
(I know that he shall rise again) This conviction was probably in advance of average Jewish belief on the subject. The O.T. declarations as to a resurrection are so scanty and obscure, that the Sadducees could deny the doctrine, and the Pharisees had to resort to oral tradition to maintain it (see on Mark 12:18; Acts 23:8).
the last day] See on John 6:39.
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 1320 ~διδάσκαλος~ didaskalos \@did-as’-kal-os\@ from the verb to teach 1321; n m AV-Master (Jesus) 40, teacher 10, master 7, doctor 1; 58
1) a teacher

2) in the NT one who teaches concerning the things of God, and the duties of man
1a) one who is fitted to teach, or thinks himself so

1b) the teachers of the Jewish religion

1c) of those who by their great power as teachers draw crowds around them i.e. John the Baptist, Jesus

1d) by preeminence used of Jesus by himself, as one who showed men the way of salvation

1e) of the apostles, and of Paul

1f) of those who in the religious assemblies of the Christians, undertook the work of teaching, with the special assistance of the Holy Spirit

1g) of false teachers among Christians
↑ ^4.0 ^4.1 ^4.2 ^4.3 ^4.4 1690 ἐμβριμάομαι embrimaomai [em-brim-ah’-om-ahee] from ἐν en1722 in or through and brimaomai (to snort with anger); v; AV-straitly charge 2, groan 2, murmur against 1; 5
1) to charge with earnest admonition, sternly to charge, threatened to enjoin
↑ ^5.0 ^5.1 ^5.2 ^5.3 5015 ταράσσω tarasso [tar-as’-so] of uncertain affinity; v; AV-trouble 17; 17
1) to agitate, trouble (a thing, by the movement of its parts to and fro)
1a) to cause one inward commotion, take away his calmness of mind, disturb his equanimity

1b) to disquiet, make restless

1c) to stir up

1d) to trouble

1d1) to strike one’s spirit with fear and dread

1e) to render anxious or distressed

1f) to perplex the mind of one by suggesting scruples or doubts
↑ : "201 11:33 Greek: ἐνεβριμήσατο τῷ πνεύματι - "snorted in his spirit." The verb is ἐμβριμάομαι - embrimáomai, of which there is a relatively small sampling in all of Greek literature. In classical literature it was used a few times for the snorting of horses. Bible occurrences are limited to Daniel 11:30 in some editions of the Septuagint, for "angered;" Matthew 9:30 and Mark 1:43 for "sternly admonish;" and Mark 14:5 for "scold;" and other than those, these two instances here in John 11:33, 38. I can well envision how a scolding or stern warning can be a snorting of sorts. But how do you snort or scold in your spirit? The main lexicons like Lidell & Scott; and Bauer; and the back of the UBS Greek text, say here it means "be deeply moved." Bagster/Moulton says "to be greatly fretted or agitated." As for snorting, humans are known to snort when heaving in crying and at the same time trying to suppress the sobs. Snorts happen.
It is significant to me that for the crying that Jesus did in v. 35, John used the verb δακρύω - dakrúō, instead of one of the more usual words for weeping or crying. With δακρύω there is more emphasis on the secretion or exuding of fluid, than on the sound or other considerations like with the other verbs. I get the impression that Jesus was holding his strong emotions in. I notice that Weymouth also, in his translation, rendered this, "curbing the strong emotion of His spirit." Certainly, the simple fact that John twice says the emotion was inside, "in his spirit," and "inside himself," gives this credibility. There is somewhat of a trend in the most recent translations to render this something more pertaining to anger.
↑ “‭29 At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter. ‭30 For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant. ‭31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate. ‭32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. ‭33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. ‭34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. ‭35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed. ‭36 And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. ‭37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.” Daniel 11:29-37
↑ “‭“‭41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, ‭42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. ‭43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, ‭44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.” Luke 19:41-44
↑ furlongs=660ft; 15 furlongs=1.875 miles
↑ 2977 λάθρα lathra [lath’-rah] from the verb lanthano 2990 to be hidden; adv; AV-privily 3, secretly 1; 4
1) secretly

[kathezomai-1] 2516. καθεζομαὶ kathezomai kath-ed’-zom-ahee; from 2596 and the base of 1476; to sit down: — sit. ‭

[resurrection-2] 2.0 ^2.1 Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
(I know that he shall rise again) This conviction was probably in advance of average Jewish belief on the subject. The O.T. declarations as to a resurrection are so scanty and obscure, that the Sadducees could deny the doctrine, and the Pharisees had to resort to oral tradition to maintain it (see on Mark 12:18; Acts 23:8).
the last day] See on John 6:39.

[didaskalos-3] 3.0 ^3.1 1320 ~διδάσκαλος~ didaskalos \@did-as’-kal-os\@ from the verb to teach 1321; n m AV-Master (Jesus) 40, teacher 10, master 7, doctor 1; 58
1) a teacher

2) in the NT one who teaches concerning the things of God, and the duties of man
1a) one who is fitted to teach, or thinks himself so

1b) the teachers of the Jewish religion

1c) of those who by their great power as teachers draw crowds around them i.e. John the Baptist, Jesus

1d) by preeminence used of Jesus by himself, as one who showed men the way of salvation

1e) of the apostles, and of Paul

1f) of those who in the religious assemblies of the Christians, undertook the work of teaching, with the special assistance of the Holy Spirit

1g) of false teachers among Christians

[embrimaomai-4] 4.0 ^4.1 ^4.2 ^4.3 ^4.4 1690 ἐμβριμάομαι embrimaomai [em-brim-ah’-om-ahee] from ἐν en1722 in or through and brimaomai (to snort with anger); v; AV-straitly charge 2, groan 2, murmur against 1; 5
1) to charge with earnest admonition, sternly to charge, threatened to enjoin

[tarasso'-5] 5.0 ^5.1 ^5.2 ^5.3 5015 ταράσσω tarasso [tar-as’-so] of uncertain affinity; v; AV-trouble 17; 17
1) to agitate, trouble (a thing, by the movement of its parts to and fro)
1a) to cause one inward commotion, take away his calmness of mind, disturb his equanimity

1b) to disquiet, make restless

1c) to stir up

1d) to trouble

1d1) to strike one’s spirit with fear and dread

1e) to render anxious or distressed

1f) to perplex the mind of one by suggesting scruples or doubts

[DavidRobertPalmer-6] : "201 11:33 Greek: ἐνεβριμήσατο τῷ πνεύματι - "snorted in his spirit." The verb is ἐμβριμάομαι - embrimáomai, of which there is a relatively small sampling in all of Greek literature. In classical literature it was used a few times for the snorting of horses. Bible occurrences are limited to Daniel 11:30 in some editions of the Septuagint, for "angered;" Matthew 9:30 and Mark 1:43 for "sternly admonish;" and Mark 14:5 for "scold;" and other than those, these two instances here in John 11:33, 38. I can well envision how a scolding or stern warning can be a snorting of sorts. But how do you snort or scold in your spirit? The main lexicons like Lidell & Scott; and Bauer; and the back of the UBS Greek text, say here it means "be deeply moved." Bagster/Moulton says "to be greatly fretted or agitated." As for snorting, humans are known to snort when heaving in crying and at the same time trying to suppress the sobs. Snorts happen.
It is significant to me that for the crying that Jesus did in v. 35, John used the verb δακρύω - dakrúō, instead of one of the more usual words for weeping or crying. With δακρύω there is more emphasis on the secretion or exuding of fluid, than on the sound or other considerations like with the other verbs. I get the impression that Jesus was holding his strong emotions in. I notice that Weymouth also, in his translation, rendered this, "curbing the strong emotion of His spirit." Certainly, the simple fact that John twice says the emotion was inside, "in his spirit," and "inside himself," gives this credibility. There is somewhat of a trend in the most recent translations to render this something more pertaining to anger.

[7] “‭29 At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter. ‭30 For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant. ‭31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate. ‭32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. ‭33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. ‭34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. ‭35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed. ‭36 And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. ‭37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.” Daniel 11:29-37

[8] “‭“‭41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, ‭42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. ‭43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, ‭44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.” Luke 19:41-44

[9] urlongs=660ft; 15 furlongs=1.875 miles

[lathra-10] 2977 λάθρα lathra [lath’-rah] from the verb lanthano 2990 to be hidden; adv; AV-privily 3, secretly 1; 4
1) secretly

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John 11

Contents

The Death of Lazarus

Might be glorified

Walk in light

Let us die too

I Am the Resurrection and the Life

Mary sat still

Which resurrection

Weeping and groaning

He groaned

Jesus Raises Lazarus

Come forth

The Beleivers and Plotters

Faithless Caiaphas

Walked not openly

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John 11

The Death of Lazarus

Might be glorified

Walk in light

Let us die too

I Am the Resurrection and the Life

Mary sat still

Which resurrection

Weeping and groaning

He groaned

Jesus Raises Lazarus

Come forth

The Beleivers and Plotters

Faithless Caiaphas

Walked not openly

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