John 11:11
King James Version (KJV)
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.
Translations
John 11:11 - Amplified Bible
He said these things, and then added, Our friend Lazarus is at rest {and} sleeping; but I am going there that I may awaken him out of his sleep.
John 11:11 - American Standard Version
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.
John 11:11 - Bible in Basic English
These things said he: and after that he said to them, Lazarus our friend is at rest; but I go so that I may make him come out of his sleep.
John 11:11 - Darby Bible
These things said he; and after this he says to them, Lazarus, our friend, is fallen asleep, but I go that I may awake him out of sleep.
John 11:11 - English Standard Version
After saying these things, he said to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him."
John 11:11 - King James Version
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.
John 11:11 - La Biblia de las Americas
Dijo esto, y después de esto añadiò: Nuestro amigo Lázaro se ha dormido; pero voy a despertarlo.
John 11:11 - The Message
He said these things, and then announced, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep. I’m going to wake him up."
John 11:11 - New American Standard Bible
This He said, and after that He *said to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep."
John 11:11 - Nueva Biblia Latinoamericana de Hoy
Dijo esto, y después añadiò: "Nuestro amigo Lázaro se ha dormido; pero voy a despertarlo."
John 11:11 - World English Bible
He said these things, and after that, he said to them, "Our friend, Lazarus, has fallen asleep, but I am going so that I may awake him out of sleep."
John 11:11 - Young's Living Translation
These things he said, and after this he saith to them, `Lazarus our friend hath fallen asleep, but I go on that I may awake him;`
John 11:11 - Additional Comments
Death is referred to often in Scripture as sleeping -- see 1 Thess 4:13. This is the physical death. The soul never dies or sleeps (not including the separation from God symbolized by eternal death - John 3:15). Sleep is only for the body, never for the soul.
How did Jesus know? This shows His all-knowledge. We forget this miracle, and focus on His power to heal.
Here Jesus clearly tells His disciples that Lazarus will be woken up. Yet, they put His power in a box, and still did not expect Him to bring back Lazarus from the dead.
At this point, the disciples had only heard that Lazarus was sick. Jesus now knew that Lazarus had died, possibly right about that time.
Every person moves steadily toward a date with physical death. No matter how great your relationship is with God, there has to come a point when you can no longer recover. Death does not mean that God is not there, not helping, or not active in that person's life. There is a time to live, for a purpose, and a time to die, for a purpose. See Eccl 3:1-2. Jesus showed this with His life -- He was not in real threat of death, no matter what the Jewish leaders intended, until it was time for Him to die. See John 19:10-11. This was not time for Lazarus to die -- it was time for him to live, for a purpose. Satan cannot touch you, no one can touch you, while God is fulfilling His mission through you. You are now alive -- for a purpose. Our main purpose in life, as we see in the resurrection of Lazarus (see notes on verse 4), is to glorify God and draw others closer to Him. How are you fulfilling God's purpose for your life?
Lazarus was a special companion of Christ. Some can be special friends.
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