John 11 - NIV Essentials Study Bible

11:4 This sickness will not end in death. Thus predicting the raising of Lazarus (v. 44), since Jesus already knew of his death (v. 14). In fact, Lazarus must have died shortly after the messengers left Bethany, accounting for the “four days” of vv. 17, 39: one day for the journey of the messengers, the two days when Jesus remained where he was (see v. 6), and a day for Jesus’ journey to Bethany. But see note on v. 17. glory. See notes on 7:39; 12:41; 13:31. Here God’s Son would be glorified through what happened to Lazarus, partly because the miracle displays the glory of God (who alone can raise the dead; see 5:21 and note) in Jesus (v. 40) and partly because it would help initiate events leading to the cross (vv. 46–53).

11:17 four days. See note on v. 4. Many Jews believed that the soul remained near the body for three days after death in the hope of returning to it. If this idea was in the minds of these people, they obviously thought all hope was gone—Lazarus was irrevocably dead.

11:25 life. Jesus was saying more than that he gives resurrection and life. In some way these are identified with him, and his nature is such that final death is impossible for him. He is life (see 14:6; Ac 3:15; Heb 7:16 and note). The one who believes in me will live. Jesus not only is life, but he also conveys life to believers so that death will never triumph over them (cf. 1Co 15:57 and note).

11:26 never die. Believers may die physically but, as those who have eternal life, their physical death is not their ultimate end (v. 25). Death cannot destroy the life Christ gives.

11:40 glory. See note on v. 4.

11:49 Caiaphas. High priest c. AD 18–36. He was the son-in-law of Annas (see 18:13 and note), who had been deposed from the high priesthood by the Romans in AD 15. You know nothing at all! A remark typical of Sadducean rudeness (Caiaphas, as high priest, was a Sadducee). Josephus says that Sadducees “in their dealings with their peers are as rude as to foreigners.”

11:51 prophesied. His words were true in a way he could not imagine. Prophecy in Scripture is the impartation of divinely revealed truth. In reality Caiaphas’s words meant that Jesus’ death would be for the nation, not by way of removing political trouble, but by taking away the sins of those who believed in him.