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In this lesson:
A short parable (11:9-10). Also; "Lazarus is dead." (11:14) Study Tip: Take notes. Notes help us learn and remember. They keep us focused and help us follow up on thoughts and ideas. Also, we can carry notes as we go about our day to meditate on and review. |
Mary and Martha
By the Italian artist Andrea Vaccaro (1604-1670). |
Who was -
Mary -
One of seven Mary's mentioned in the New Testament. She was a Christian from Bethany and sister to Martha and Lazarus, who Jesus raised from the dead. Her faith was so strong, she didn't believe Lazarus would have died if Jesus had been there (John 11:32). It was Mary who anointed Jesus' feet in John 12:3.
Martha -
Christian from Bethany and sister to Mary and Lazarus. Jesus gently scolded her for being too busy in the kitchen to listen to His message (Luke 10:38-42).
Thomas -
One of the original twelve disciples (Matthew 10:2-3), also called Didymus, which means "twin" in Greek. He was often described as thoughtful, but cautious, and skeptical. Although Thomas once declared his willingness to die with Jesus (John 11:16), he fled with the other disciples when Christ was arrested (Matthew 26:56; Mark 14:50). Later, when Thomas was told that Jesus had been resurrected, he didn't believe it (John 20:24-25). This is where we get the term "Doubting Thomas." Eight days afterward, Jesus appeared to Thomas and invited him to touch His wounds (John 20:26-29), leading Thomas to believe. Thomas saw Jesus again by the Sea of Tiberias (John 21:1-2). After that, Thomas became a faithful servant, spreading Christianity. Today, the Christians of Malabar, India, honor Thomas as the founder of their church and call themselves the "Thomas Christians."
Mary -
One of seven Mary's mentioned in the New Testament. She was a Christian from Bethany and sister to Martha and Lazarus, who Jesus raised from the dead. Her faith was so strong, she didn't believe Lazarus would have died if Jesus had been there (John 11:32). It was Mary who anointed Jesus' feet in John 12:3.
Martha -
Christian from Bethany and sister to Mary and Lazarus. Jesus gently scolded her for being too busy in the kitchen to listen to His message (Luke 10:38-42).
Thomas -
One of the original twelve disciples (Matthew 10:2-3), also called Didymus, which means "twin" in Greek. He was often described as thoughtful, but cautious, and skeptical. Although Thomas once declared his willingness to die with Jesus (John 11:16), he fled with the other disciples when Christ was arrested (Matthew 26:56; Mark 14:50). Later, when Thomas was told that Jesus had been resurrected, he didn't believe it (John 20:24-25). This is where we get the term "Doubting Thomas." Eight days afterward, Jesus appeared to Thomas and invited him to touch His wounds (John 20:26-29), leading Thomas to believe. Thomas saw Jesus again by the Sea of Tiberias (John 21:1-2). After that, Thomas became a faithful servant, spreading Christianity. Today, the Christians of Malabar, India, honor Thomas as the founder of their church and call themselves the "Thomas Christians."
The Gospel According to St. John
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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John 11:1-16
"For the glory of God" 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. 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. 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. 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. |
Margin notes:
"Bethany." (11:1) - A small village located on the road to Jericho near the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives "about fifteen furlongs" (two miles) east of Jerusalem (John 11:18). Jesus often stayed in Bethany when visiting the Holy City (Matthew 21:17) and performed one of His greatest miracles there, raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:38-44; John 12:1). Bethany is now called el-Azariyeh (place of Lazarus) or simply Lazariyeh. "It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment." (11:2) - "It was Mary who anointed the Lord with perfume." You can read three separate accounts of Mary anointing Jesus in Matthew 26:6-12; Mark 14:3-9 and John 12:1-8. "Therefore his sisters sent unto him." (11:3) - Mary and Martha (in Bethany) sent a message to Jesus in Perea. "That the Son of God might be glorified thereby." (11:4) - Means, "So that the Son of God would be glorified by it." Jesus will use Lazarus' death to show His power, strengthen the disciple's faith, and glorify God. "He abode two days still." (11:6) - "He stayed two days more." "The Jews of late sought to stone thee." (11:8) - "A short time ago the Jews tried to stone you." See verse 10:31 (lesson 190). "Howbeit Jesus spake of his death." (11:13) - "But Jesus meant Lazarus had died." "To the intent ye may believe." (11:15) - "So now you might believe." "Let us also go, that we may die with him." (11:16) - Since His enemies in Jerusalem wanted to stone Jesus (John 8:59; 10:31), the disciples were cautious to return. |
New Living Translation
John 11:1-16
The Raising of Lazarus
1 A man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha.
2 This is the Mary who later poured the expensive perfume on the Lord's feet and wiped them with her hair. Her brother, Lazarus, was sick.
3 So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, "Lord, your dear friend is very sick."
4 But when Jesus heard about it he said, "Lazarus's sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this."
5 So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus,
6 he stayed where he was for the next two days.
7 Finally, he said to his disciples, "Let's go back to Judea."
8 But his disciples objected. "Rabbi," they said, "only a few days ago the people in Judea were trying to stone you. Are you going there again?"
9 Jesus replied, "There are twelve hours of daylight every day. During the day people can walk safely. They can see because they have the light of this world.
10 But at night there is danger of stumbling because they have no light."
11 Then he said, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up."
12 The disciples said, "Lord, if he is sleeping, he will soon get better!"
13 They thought Jesus meant Lazarus was simply sleeping, but Jesus meant Lazarus had died.
14 So he told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead.
15 And for your sakes, I'm glad I wasn't there, for now you will really believe. Come, let's go see him."
16 Thomas, nicknamed the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "Let's go, too-and die with Jesus."
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
The Raising of Lazarus
1 A man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha.
2 This is the Mary who later poured the expensive perfume on the Lord's feet and wiped them with her hair. Her brother, Lazarus, was sick.
3 So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, "Lord, your dear friend is very sick."
4 But when Jesus heard about it he said, "Lazarus's sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this."
5 So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus,
6 he stayed where he was for the next two days.
7 Finally, he said to his disciples, "Let's go back to Judea."
8 But his disciples objected. "Rabbi," they said, "only a few days ago the people in Judea were trying to stone you. Are you going there again?"
9 Jesus replied, "There are twelve hours of daylight every day. During the day people can walk safely. They can see because they have the light of this world.
10 But at night there is danger of stumbling because they have no light."
11 Then he said, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up."
12 The disciples said, "Lord, if he is sleeping, he will soon get better!"
13 They thought Jesus meant Lazarus was simply sleeping, but Jesus meant Lazarus had died.
14 So he told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead.
15 And for your sakes, I'm glad I wasn't there, for now you will really believe. Come, let's go see him."
16 Thomas, nicknamed the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "Let's go, too-and die with Jesus."
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick." (11:1-3)
"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. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him." (11:9-10)
"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. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him." (11:9-10)
Today's Question:
1. What does Jesus' reference to daytime and nighttime mean? (11:8-10)
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1. What does Jesus' reference to daytime and nighttime mean? (11:8-10)
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Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. Jesus presents daytime as the length of a life, while night represents death. Even though the disciples were concerned that Jesus was putting Himself in danger (11:8 and 11:16), our Lord knew that His time (day) was not yet done, and He would be safe despite His enemies and their traps. See also Luke 22:53 (lesson 157) and John 9:4 (lesson 187).
Application thought for the day:
What does this passage teach about faith and the glory of God?
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
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© 2026 evolke