Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
John 11:1 introduces Lazarus, a close friend of Jesus who is seriously sick. It also names his sisters and town, showing this is a real …
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(It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
John 11:2 reminds readers who Mary is—the woman who lovingly anointed Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. This detail shows their close relationship, …
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Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
John 11:3 shows Mary and Martha asking Jesus for help because their brother Lazarus is very sick. They don’t give details; they simply remind Jesus …
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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.
John 11:4 means Jesus saw Lazarus’s sickness as an opportunity to show God’s power, not the end of the story. Even when situations look hopeless—like …
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Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
John 11:5 means Jesus deeply cared for this family personally, not just as part of the crowd. His love guided everything He did next, even …
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When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.
John 11:6 shows that Jesus purposely delayed going to help Lazarus. It means God’s timing can feel slow or confusing, but it is still loving …
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Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.
John 11:7 shows Jesus choosing to return to Judea, even though it was dangerous. It means He willingly faces risk to help His friends and …
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His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?
John 11:8 shows the disciples warning Jesus it’s dangerous to go back where people recently tried to kill Him. It means following God’s leading can …
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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.
John 11:9 means that when we follow God’s timing and guidance, we can move forward without fear. Jesus’ “day” picture shows that walking in the …
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But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.
John 11:10 means that when people live without Jesus’ guidance, they easily make harmful choices, like walking in the dark and tripping. In everyday life, …
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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 means Jesus sees death differently than we do—more like sleep than the end. He calls Lazarus “our friend,” showing His personal care, and …
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Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
John 11:12 shows the disciples misunderstanding Jesus. They think Lazarus is just sleeping, not dead, so they assume he’ll recover on his own. This reminds …
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Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
John 11:13 means Jesus was clearly talking about Lazarus’ death, but the disciples misunderstood and thought He meant normal sleep. It shows how easily we …
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Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
John 11:14 means Jesus makes the hard truth clear: Lazarus has really died. Jesus isn’t vague or confusing—He’s honest so His followers can trust what …
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And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
John 11:15 means Jesus allowed Lazarus to die so his followers could see a greater miracle and grow in real, personal faith. In our lives, …
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Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
John 11:16 shows Thomas choosing to follow Jesus even when it seems dangerous and hopeless. He assumes going with Jesus might mean death, but he …
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Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.
John 11:17 shows that Lazarus had been dead four days, making his situation seem completely hopeless. This detail highlights Jesus’ power to work even when …
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Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:
John 11:18 explains that Bethany was very close to Jerusalem—only about two miles away. This detail shows how quickly news and people could travel between …
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And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
John 11:19 shows friends and neighbors gathering to comfort Martha and Mary after their brother Lazarus died. It highlights how important community and showing up …
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Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
John 11:20 shows Martha rushing to Jesus with her pain, while Mary stays back in grief. It means God invites different responses in suffering—some run …
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Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
John 11:21 shows Martha’s honest grief and disappointment, yet she still talks to Jesus. She believes He could have stopped Lazarus’ death but feels He …
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But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
John 11:22 shows Martha’s deep trust that Jesus could still help, even after her brother died. It means God can work beyond what seems “too …
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Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
John 11:23 means Jesus promises that death is not the end. He tells Martha that her brother Lazarus will live again, showing His power to …
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Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
John 11:24 shows Martha believing her brother will rise again someday, but only in a distant future. It means she trusts God, yet feels comfort …
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Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
John 11:25 means that Jesus offers eternal life to those who believe in Him. Even if we face death or hopeless situations, faith in Jesus …
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And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
John 11:26 emphasizes the promise of eternal life through faith in Jesus. It means that believers, though physically dying, will live eternally with God. In …
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She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
John 11:27 means Martha openly trusts that Jesus is God’s promised Savior. She believes this even while grieving her brother’s death. For us, it shows …
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And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.
John 11:28 shows Martha quietly telling Mary that Jesus (“the Master”) has come and is asking for her. It means Jesus personally calls hurting people …
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As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.
John 11:29 shows Mary’s quick response when she hears Jesus is calling for her. She doesn’t delay—she gets up and goes to Him. This encourages …
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Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.
John 11:30 shows Jesus staying close, right where Martha had met Him in her grief. It means Jesus doesn’t rush past our pain; He meets …
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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.
John 11:31 shows how people cared enough about Mary’s grief to follow her, assuming she was going to the tomb to cry. It highlights the …
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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.
John 11:32 shows Mary honestly pouring out her grief and disappointment to Jesus. She believes He could have stopped Lazarus from dying, yet she still …
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When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,
John 11:33 shows that Jesus deeply feels our pain. When He sees Mary and others crying over Lazarus, He is moved and troubled inside. This …
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And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
John 11:34 shows Jesus personally entering His friends’ pain. When He asks, “Where have you laid him?” He isn’t distant—He goes straight to their place …
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Jesus wept.
John 11:35, “Jesus wept,” shows that Jesus truly feels human pain and grief. He wasn’t distant from suffering; He cried with hurting friends. This means …
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Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!
John 11:36 shows people noticing how deeply Jesus loved His friend Lazarus as He wept. This verse means God truly cares about our pain and …
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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?
John 11:37 shows people doubting Jesus because He didn’t stop Lazarus from dying, even though He’d healed others. It means we often question God when …
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Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
John 11:38 shows Jesus deeply moved as He approaches Lazarus’s tomb. It reminds us that God feels our pain and doesn’t stand far from our …
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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.
John 11:39 shows Jesus asking people to remove the stone before He raises Lazarus. Martha protests because it seems too late and hopeless. This verse …
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Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
John 11:40 means Jesus is saying, “Trust Me first, then you’ll see what God can do.” He tells Martha that believing comes before seeing God’s …
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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.
John 11:41 shows Jesus trusting God before the miracle happens. He thanks the Father out loud to strengthen the faith of the people watching. For …
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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.
John 11:42 means Jesus was certain God always heard His prayers, but He prayed out loud so the crowd would believe He was sent by …
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And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
John 11:43 shows Jesus calling dead Lazarus out of the tomb, proving His power over death and hopeless situations. It means Jesus can bring new …
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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.
John 11:44 shows that when Jesus raised Lazarus, He didn’t just give him life—He also freed him from what still held him back. The grave …
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Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
John 11:45 means that when people saw Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead, they became convinced He was truly sent from God. It shows that …
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But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.
John 11:46 shows that even after seeing Jesus’ miracle, some people chose to report Him to the religious leaders instead of believing. It reminds us …
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Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.
John 11:47 shows religious leaders worried about Jesus’ growing influence because of His miracles. Instead of celebrating God’s work, they feared losing power and control. …
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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.
John 11:48 shows the religious leaders fearing losing power more than seeking truth. They worry that if people follow Jesus, Rome might crush their position …
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And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,
John 11:49 shows Caiaphas, the high priest, acting proud and dismissive, telling others they “know nothing.” It warns us about arrogance—especially when we think our …
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Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
John 11:50 means the high priest thought killing Jesus would protect the nation from trouble, but God was using this plan for a greater purpose—saving …
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And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;
John 11:51 means that God used the high priest’s words, even though he didn’t fully understand them, to predict that Jesus would die for the …
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And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
John 11:52 means Jesus didn’t come only for one group of people, but to bring together all who believe in Him, no matter where they …
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Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.
John 11:53 means that, after Jesus raised Lazarus, the religious leaders decided together to kill Him. Instead of welcoming God’s work, they protected their power. …
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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.
John 11:54 means Jesus chose to stay away from public crowds because people were plotting to kill Him. He withdrew to a quieter place with …
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And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.
John 11:55 means that as Passover approached, many people traveled to Jerusalem early to get their hearts and lives ready before worship. It shows that …
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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?
John 11:56 shows people in the temple wondering if Jesus will show up for the feast, revealing their curiosity, confusion, and mixed expectations about Him. …
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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.
John 11:57 means the religious leaders were so determined to stop Jesus that they ordered people to report his location so they could arrest him. …
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