Meaning of John 11:11

Jesus uses the metaphor of sleep to describe Lazarus's death, a common euphemism in ancient Near Eastern cultures and also found elsewhere in Scripture, to soften the harsh reality of death for his disciples and to foreshadow his divine power over it. This statement is made in response to the disciples’ confusion and concern after Jesus had spoken about walking in the light and not stumbling, indicating a shift in their understanding of his mission and their own spiritual journey. By presenting death as a temporary state of slumber from which he can awaken Lazarus, Jesus deliberately conceals the true nature of Lazarus's condition, not out of deception, but to test the disciples' faith and prepare them for a greater revelation of his authority.

Context and Background

The immediate preceding verses (John 10:40-42) describe Jesus returning to Bethany, across the Jordan River, where he had previously ministered. The disciples, including Thomas, are likely still reeling from the events in Jerusalem where Jesus’ life was threatened, and they are apprehensive about his return to Judea. John 11:1-16 records Jesus receiving news that Lazarus, whom Jesus loved, is gravely ill. Martha and Mary, Lazarus's sisters, send word to Jesus. Jesus' response, "This illness will not result in death, but in the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it" (John 11:4), sets the stage for his deliberate delay in going to Bethany. When Jesus finally states, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up," he is speaking to his disciples, who are unaware of Lazarus's demise.

Key Themes and Messages

• Jesus' Authority Over Death: The most prominent theme is Jesus' divine power to overcome death. He presents it not as an insurmountable end but as a state from which he can rouse individuals, akin to waking someone from sleep. This highlights his unique role as the resurrection and the life.
• Love and Friendship: Jesus refers to Lazarus as "our friend," emphasizing the deep personal bond he shared with Lazarus and his sisters. This underscores the compassionate nature of Jesus, who is moved by the suffering of those he loves.
• Spiritual Blindness and Understanding: The disciples' inability to grasp Jesus' meaning ("Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better") reveals their literal-mindedness and their struggle to comprehend Jesus' spiritual insights. Jesus' subsequent explanation clarifies his intention, revealing a deeper truth about resurrection.
• Divine Timing and Purpose: Jesus' delay in going to Bethany is not an oversight but a strategic decision to allow events to unfold in a way that will ultimately glorify God and demonstrate Jesus' power more profoundly.

Spiritual Significance and Application

This verse offers a profound perspective on death for believers. It reframes death not as an eternal cessation of existence but as a temporary "sleep" from which Christ, who holds the keys of death and Hades (Revelation 1:18), can awaken us into eternal life. For those who are in Christ, death is a transition, a slumber before the glorious resurrection. The verse also encourages us to trust in Jesus' timing and purpose, even when it seems counterintuitive or when we are experiencing loss and grief. His delays are often purposeful, leading to greater demonstrations of His power and glory in our lives and in the lives of others.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This event serves as a pivotal miracle in the Gospel of John, directly preceding the raising of Lazarus from the dead. It is a powerful foreshadowing of Jesus' own resurrection. The resurrection of Lazarus is the seventh and final "sign" in John's Gospel, a testament to Jesus' divine identity and authority. It directly leads to the plot to kill Jesus, as the chief priests and Pharisees see Lazarus's resurrection as evidence of Jesus' influence and a threat to their authority (John 11:47-53). This miracle solidifies Jesus' claims as the Son of God and the one who has power over the ultimate enemy, death.

Analogies

• Waking from Sleep: The most direct analogy is the act of waking a sleeping person. Just as a sleeper is unaware and passive, so too is the deceased. Just as a gentle word or touch can rouse a sleeper, Jesus' divine word and power can bring life back from the state of death.
• A Seed Dormant in Winter: A seed may appear dead and dormant during winter, but life is present within, waiting for the right conditions and the power of spring to emerge. Similarly, death is a period of dormancy, but for believers, Christ is the life-giving force that will bring about resurrection.
• A Computer in Sleep Mode: A computer in sleep mode is not truly off; its processes are paused, and it can be quickly brought back to full functionality with a simple command. Death, for the believer, is a state of pause, from which Christ can easily "wake" them.

Relation to Other Verses

• John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." This verse speaks of eternal life as an antidote to perishing, and the raising of Lazarus demonstrates Jesus' ability to bestow this life.
• 1 Corinthians 15:54-55: "When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?'" Jesus' action in raising Lazarus is a tangible victory over death.
• John 11:25-26: "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?'" This statement, made to Martha, directly connects to the metaphor of sleep and waking, clarifying Jesus' ultimate claim over death.
• Revelation 1:18: "I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive forevermore! And I hold the keys of death and Hades." Jesus' declaration that he will "wake him up" is a demonstration of his possession of these keys.