Meaning of John 11:43

This verse, John 11:43, captures the apex of Jesus' miraculous act of raising Lazarus from the dead, a pivotal event in the Gospel of John. The spoken command, "Lazarus, come out!", is not merely a suggestion but an authoritative decree that transcends the physical limitations of death. It demonstrates Jesus' divine power over life and death, a power inherent in his identity as the Son of God. The loudness of his voice signifies the decisive and potent nature of his command, breaking through the silence of the tomb and the finality of death. This act serves as a profound demonstration of God's redemptive power and his ability to bring life where there is none, foreshadowing the ultimate resurrection that Jesus himself would experience and offer to all who believe.

Context and Background

The narrative preceding John 11:43 details the illness and death of Lazarus, a close friend of Jesus. Jesus deliberately delayed his arrival, knowing of Lazarus's sickness, stating it was "for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it" (John 11:4). Upon his arrival at Bethany, Jesus first consoles Lazarus's grieving sisters, Mary and Martha, and then proceeds to the tomb, a cave sealed with a stone. Martha expresses her doubt, citing that Lazarus has been dead for four days and will already be decaying. Jesus then challenges her faith, promising that she will see the glory of God. It is in this charged atmosphere of grief, faith, and impending divine intervention that Jesus utters the command to Lazarus.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Authority and Power: The verse unequivocally showcases Jesus' supreme authority and power over the natural order, particularly over death itself. His command is not a plea but a directive, demonstrating his inherent divine ability to command life.
• Resurrection and Life: This event is a powerful prefiguration of Jesus' own resurrection and the promise of eternal life he offers. It asserts that death is not the end, but a temporary state that can be overcome by divine power.
• Obedience and Revelation: Lazarus's emergence from the tomb signifies obedience to Jesus' command, and his reappearance is a dramatic revelation of Jesus' divine identity and mission.
• The Nature of Faith: The account challenges and ultimately validates faith, especially in the face of seemingly insurmountable circumstances like death. Martha's journey from doubt to belief is integral to this theme.

Spiritual Significance and Application

The raising of Lazarus is a tangible demonstration of God's ability to bring spiritual life to those who are dead in their sins. Just as Lazarus was called out of the physical tomb, believers are called out of spiritual death into new life through faith in Jesus Christ. This verse offers immense hope to those who feel spiritually barren or entombed by despair, reminding them that Jesus has the power to resurrect and restore. It underscores the transformative power of Jesus' word and his personal intervention in the lives of those he loves.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This miracle is one of the most significant signs performed by Jesus in the Gospel of John, explicitly identified as such by Jesus himself: "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it" (John 11:4). It serves as a profound testament to Jesus' messianic claims and his divine nature, directly supporting the Gospel's overarching purpose: "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name" (John 20:31). Furthermore, it anticipates the universal resurrection promised in the New Testament, where all who are in Christ will be raised to eternal life, mirroring Lazarus's physical resurrection.

Analogies

One analogy is that of a sculptor who, with a single, precise chisel stroke, can bring a form out of inert stone. Jesus' command is akin to that decisive stroke, releasing life from the confines of death. Another analogy is a conductor leading an orchestra; his decisive gesture brings forth a symphony from silence. Jesus' loud voice is that authoritative gesture, calling forth life from the silence of the grave.

Relation to Other Verses

• John 5:28-29: "Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned." This verse directly parallels the event of Lazarus, presenting it as a preview of the general resurrection.
• Romans 6:4: "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into his death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." This verse connects the concept of resurrection to the believer's spiritual life and baptism, echoing the theme of being called out of a former state into newness.
• 1 Corinthians 15:20-22: "But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive." Lazarus's resurrection is a tangible demonstration of the reality of Christ's resurrection, which is the "firstfruits" of all who will be raised.