John 11:39

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Yeshua said, “Take the stone away!” Marta, the sister of the dead man, said to Yeshua, “By now his body must smell, for it has been four days since he died!”

Berean Standard Bible:

“Take away the stone,” Jesus said. “Lord, by now he stinks,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man. “It has already been four days.”

American Standard Version:

Jesus saith, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time the body decayeth; for he hath been dead four days.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Jesus^{G2424} said^{G3004}, Take ye away^{G142} the stone^{G3037}. Martha^{G3136}, the sister^{G79} of him that was dead^{G2348}, saith^{G3004} unto him^{G846}, Lord^{G2962}, by this time^{G2235} he stinketh^{G3605}: for^{G1063} he hath been^{G2076} dead four days^{G5066}.

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Commentary for John 11:39

John 11:39 is part of the narrative of the raising of Lazarus, a pivotal moment in the Gospel of John. This verse captures the tension between the divine power of Jesus and the human limitations of his followers. In this scene, Jesus commands that the stone be removed from the entrance of Lazarus's tomb, despite Martha's protest that her brother's body would have begun to decompose, having been dead for four days. Martha's comment reflects the Jewish belief that the spirit of the deceased hovered near the body for three days, hoping for a return to life, but after that time, death was considered final.

The historical context of this verse is rooted in the first-century Jewish expectations of resurrection, which were varied and often associated with the end times. By calling for the removal of the stone, Jesus is not only setting the stage for a miraculous sign but also challenging the cultural and religious norms of his time. This act foreshadows his own resurrection and underscores his authority over life and death, a central theme in the Gospel accounts.

The themes present in this verse include faith versus doubt, the power of Jesus over physical decay and death, and the importance of obedience to Jesus' commands, even when they defy human understanding. Jesus' directive to remove the stone is an invitation to witness a divine intervention, one that would strengthen the disciples' faith and serve as a testament to his messianic identity and divine mission. The miracle that follows serves as a powerful sign of hope and the promise of eternal life for believers, which is a cornerstone of Christian theology.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2424
   There are 935 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Ἰησοῦς
   Transliteration: Iēsoûs
   Pronunciation: ee-ay-sooce'
   Description: of Hebrew origin (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ); Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites:--Jesus.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3004
   There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λέγω
   Transliteration: légō
   Pronunciation: leg'-o
   Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
   
3. Strong's Number: G142
   There are 168 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αἴρω
   Transliteration: aírō
   Pronunciation: ah'-ee-ro
   Description: a primary root; to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e. weigh anchor); by Hebraism (compare נָשָׂא) to expiate sin:--away with, bear (up), carry, lift up, loose, make to doubt, put away, remove, take (away, up).
   
4. Strong's Number: G3037
   There are 55 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λίθος
   Transliteration: líthos
   Pronunciation: lee'-thos
   Description: apparently a primary word; a stone (literally or figuratively):--(mill-, stumbling-)stone.
   
5. Strong's Number: G3136
   There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Μάρθα
   Transliteration: Mártha
   Pronunciation: mar'-thah
   Description: probably of Chaldee origin (meaning mistress); Martha, a Christian woman:--Martha.
   
6. Strong's Number: G79
   There are 70 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀδελφή
   Transliteration: adelphḗ
   Pronunciation: ad-el-fay'
   Description: feminine of ἀδελφός; a sister (naturally or ecclesiastically):--sister.
   
7. Strong's Number: G2348
   There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: θνήσκω
   Transliteration: thnḗskō
   Pronunciation: than'-o
   Description: a strengthened form of a simpler primary (which is used for it only in certain tenses); to die (literally or figuratively):--be dead, die.
   
8. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
9. Strong's Number: G2962
   There are 687 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: κύριος
   Transliteration: kýrios
   Pronunciation: koo'-ree-os
   Description: from (supremacy); supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title):-- God, Lord, master, Sir.
   
10. Strong's Number: G2235
    There are 54 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἤδη
    Transliteration: ḗdē
    Pronunciation: ay'-day
    Description: apparently from ἤ (or possibly ἦ) and δή; even now:--already, (even) now (already), by this time.
    
11. Strong's Number: G3605
    There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὄζω
    Transliteration: ózō
    Pronunciation: od'-zo
    Description: a primary verb (in a strengthened form); to scent (usually an ill "odor"):--stink.
    
12. Strong's Number: G1063
    There are 1016 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: γάρ
    Transliteration: gár
    Pronunciation: gar
    Description: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
    
13. Strong's Number: G2076
    There are 812 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐστί
    Transliteration: estí
    Pronunciation: es-tee'
    Description: third person singular present indicative of εἰμί; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.
    
14. Strong's Number: G5066
    There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: τεταρταῖος
    Transliteration: tetartaîos
    Pronunciation: tet-ar-tah'-yos
    Description: from τέσσαρες; pertaining to the fourth day:--four days.