John 11

The chapter

John 11 records the seventh and greatest of the signs of the fourth Gospel — the raising of Lazarus from the dead at Bethany. The chapter contains the two shortest sentences in the KJV ('Jesus wept' — v. 35) and one of the greatest of Christ's 'I am' sayings ('I am the resurrection, and the life' — v. 25).

Who wrote it

John the son of Zebedee — the beloved disciple — late in the first century.

Historical and geographical context

Set c. AD 30, shortly before the Passover of the Passion, at Bethany — a village about two miles east of Jerusalem, on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives.

Important verses

• John 11:3 (KJV) 'Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.'
• John 11:21 (KJV) 'Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.'
• John 11:25-26 (KJV) 'Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?'
• John 11:35 (KJV) 'Jesus wept.'
• John 11:43 (KJV) 'And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.'
• John 11:44 (KJV) 'And he that was dead came forth…'
• John 11:50 (KJV) '…that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.' (Caiaphas)

Christ-centred reading

John 11 is the Gospel's clearest anticipation of the Resurrection. Christ raises Lazarus and immediately, in Caiaphas's unwilling prophecy, sets in motion His own death. The chapter is one long declaration: Christ has authority over death itself.

In Christian tradition

• Read at every Christian funeral in most rites.
• 'Lazarus Saturday' (the Saturday before Palm Sunday) commemorates the raising in the Byzantine tradition.
• Handel's Messiah takes 'I am the resurrection, and the life' as one of the culminating movements of part three.
• Depicted in Christian art from the Roman catacombs onward.

Connected People

• Christ Jesus — the raiser.
• Lazarus — the raised.
• Martha and Mary of Bethany — Lazarus's sisters.
• Caiaphas — the unwilling prophet.
• Thomas — 'Let us also go, that we may die with him.'

Connected Places

• Bethany — the village.
• Mount of Olives — Bethany lies on its eastern slope.
• Jerusalem — two miles west.
• Golgotha — where the plot begun in John 11:53 was carried out.

Household application

Read John 11 aloud at the household table when a loved one has died. The chapter names the tears and answers them: 'I am the resurrection, and the life.'

Teach the little ones John 11:25-26. It is the household's charter against the fear of death.

Room connections

Where this entry meets the household in the wider house of CrossAIHub.

• Read (Library) — Read John 11 aloud when the household is in grief.
• Pray (Chapel) — Pray Martha's question at every Christian funeral: 'Believest thou this?'
• Family (Kitchen Table) — On Lazarus Saturday (before Palm Sunday), read John 11 at the table.
• Sing (Choir Room) — Sing 'I Know That My Redeemer Liveth' (Handel Messiah / Job 19:25).
• Learn (Workshop) — Study the seven signs of the fourth Gospel.

Further reading

John 11 in the KJV.

Augustine, Homilies on the Gospel of John, tractate 49.

Elsewhere in the Atlas

• Christ Jesus
• Lazarus
• Bethany
• Mount of Olives
• Golgotha
• Return to the atrium — the Atlas's main room.