John 11:11

KJV

These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.

KJV (with Strong's)

These things {G5023} said {G2036} he {G846}: and {G2532} after {G3326} that {G5124} he saith {G3004} unto them {G846}, Our {G2257} friend {G5384} Lazarus {G2976} sleepeth {G2837}; but {G235} I go {G4198}, that {G2443} I may awake {G1852} him {G846} out of sleep {G1852}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua said these things, and afterwards he said to the talmidim, “Our friend El‘azar has gone to sleep; but I am going in order to wake him up.”

Berean Standard Bible

After He had said this, He told them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to wake him up.”

American Standard Version

These things spake he: and after this he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus is fallen asleep; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In John 11:11, Jesus informs His disciples about the state of Lazarus, His beloved friend. He uses the metaphor of "sleep" to describe Lazarus's death, a concept the disciples initially misunderstand. This declaration is immediately followed by Jesus's resolute statement of His intention to go and "awake him out of sleep," subtly yet profoundly asserting His divine authority over life and death, setting the stage for one of His most spectacular miracles and revealing His compassionate purpose.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is pivotal in the narrative of John 11, serving as the direct prelude to the raising of Lazarus, one of Jesus's most significant signs. The chapter opens with news of Lazarus's illness reaching Jesus, prompting His intentional delay in returning to Judea. Jesus states that Lazarus's illness is "for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it" [John 11:4](/john/11-4 "John 11:4 - Sickness for God's Glory"). His disciples' initial confusion regarding "sleep" versus literal death [John 11:12-13](/john/11-12-13 "John 11:12-13 - Disciples' Misunderstanding") highlights the profound spiritual truth Jesus is conveying. This miracle, occurring just before Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem and His crucifixion, serves as a powerful demonstration of His messianic identity and His ultimate authority over death, intensifying the conflict with the Jewish authorities.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Jewish thought, death was often referred to as "sleep," particularly in the context of the righteous awaiting resurrection (e.g., Daniel 12:2). This euphemism was common, but Jesus's use of it here carries a deeper, eschatological weight. Bethany, the home of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha, was a village near Jerusalem, a place Jesus frequently visited, indicating a close personal relationship. The Jewish custom of burying the dead quickly, often within 24 hours, and the subsequent mourning period, underscore the finality of Lazarus's death by the time Jesus arrived four days later [John 11:17](/john/11-17 "John 11:17 - Lazarus Dead for Four Days"). This delay and the subsequent miracle would have been an undeniable public display of divine power, challenging the prevailing understanding of death and the afterlife.

* **Key Themes:** John 11:11 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the Gospel of John. Foremost is the theme of **Jesus's Authority Over Life and Death**. By declaring His intent to "awake" Lazarus, Jesus presents Himself as the sovereign Lord who holds the keys to life itself, foreshadowing His later declaration, "I am the resurrection and the life" [John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life"). Another crucial theme is **Death as Sleep for Believers**. This verse introduces the comforting theological concept that for those who are in Christ, physical death is not an ultimate end but a temporary state, a "sleep" from which they will be awakened by divine power, pointing to the hope of resurrection. Finally, the phrase "Our friend Lazarus" underscores the theme of **Jesus's Deep Compassion and Humanity**. Despite His divine purpose, Jesus's actions are rooted in genuine affection and empathy for His friends, demonstrating His perfect blend of divinity and humanity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sleepeth (Greek, _koimáō'_):** From κεῖμαι (keimai, to lie down), this verb means "to put to sleep," or passively/reflexively, "to slumber." Figuratively, and frequently in the New Testament, it refers to "to decease" or "to be dead." Jesus's choice of this word is deliberate and profound, transforming the grim reality of death into a temporary state, akin to a night's rest, for those who are His. This metaphor emphasizes the hope of a future awakening, particularly for believers.
* **awake (Greek, _exypnízō'_):** Derived from ἔξυπνος (exypnos, awake), this verb means "to waken" or "to arouse from sleep." Here, it signifies Jesus's active, powerful intervention to reverse the state of "sleep" (death). It's not merely a healing but a restoration of life from its ultimate cessation, highlighting Jesus's unique and divine power to call the dead back to life. The repetition of "awake him out of sleep" reinforces the direct correlation between the metaphor and the impending miracle.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"These things said he: and after that he saith unto them,"**: This introductory clause serves as a narrative transition, indicating that Jesus has concluded a previous discourse (likely about His delay and the purpose of Lazarus's illness) and is now turning to His disciples with a new, direct revelation. It sets the stage for a significant pronouncement.
* **"Our friend Lazarus sleepeth;"**: Jesus reveals Lazarus's condition using a profound metaphor. The inclusion of "Our friend" emphasizes the deep personal relationship Jesus shared with Lazarus, making the impending miracle not just a display of power but an act of love and compassion. "Sleepeth" is the crucial euphemism for death, a common biblical motif that softens the finality of physical demise and points toward a future awakening, especially for the righteous.
* **"but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep."**: This is Jesus's declaration of intent and authority. The conjunction "but" (Greek, _allá_) signals a contrast: Lazarus is "sleeping" (dead), but Jesus's purpose is to reverse that state. "I go" signifies His deliberate action, and "that I may awake him out of sleep" explicitly states His divine mission to raise Lazarus from the dead. This statement is a powerful assertion of His sovereignty over death, transforming the euphemism of sleep into a literal, future reality through His power.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in John 11:11 is **Metaphor**, specifically the use of "sleep" to represent death. This is a common biblical **Euphemism** for the death of believers, softening its harsh reality and imbuing it with the promise of future awakening. Jesus deliberately uses this metaphor, knowing His disciples will initially misunderstand it literally, creating **Dramatic Irony** for the reader who is aware of Lazarus's actual death. This misunderstanding serves to highlight the profound truth Jesus is conveying about His power over death. Furthermore, Jesus's declaration, "I go, that I may awake him out of sleep," functions as powerful **Foreshadowing**, not only of Lazarus's impending resurrection but also of Jesus's own victory over the grave and His ultimate role as the "Resurrection and the Life" for all who believe.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 11:11 encapsulates a profound theological truth: for those who belong to Christ, death is not an ultimate end but a temporary state akin to sleep, from which they will be awakened by the Lord's power. This perspective transforms the human experience of grief and loss, imbuing it with hope rooted in Jesus's sovereignty over death. His declaration to "awake" Lazarus is a direct manifestation of His divine authority, demonstrating that He is the source of life and the conqueror of the grave. This truth offers immense comfort and assurance, reminding believers that physical death is merely a transition, a waiting period until the glorious resurrection.

* [1 Thessalonians 4:13-14](/1_thessalonians/4-13-14 "Hope for the Deceased in Christ")
* [John 5:28-29](/john/5-28-29 "The Voice of the Son of God")
* [John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 11:11 offers a profound wellspring of comfort and a powerful reminder of Jesus's ultimate authority. In a world where death often feels like the final word, Jesus's perspective reorients our understanding. For believers, the death of a loved one is not an annihilation but a temporary "sleep," a rest from which they will be awakened by Christ's call. This truth should profoundly shape our grief, transforming despair into a hopeful anticipation of reunion. It also calls us to trust in Jesus's sovereignty even when circumstances seem dire or hopeless, knowing that He has power over all things, including the grave. Furthermore, the deep affection Jesus had for Lazarus, calling him "Our friend," reminds us of the personal and intimate relationship He desires with each of us. His compassion in the face of suffering and loss is a testament to His enduring love for His people, inviting us to draw near to Him in every season of life and death.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus's metaphor of "sleep" for death change your perspective on loss and grief?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to trust more deeply in Jesus's ultimate authority, even over seemingly impossible circumstances?**
* **How does the personal relationship Jesus had with Lazarus encourage you in your own walk with Christ?**

### FAQ
**Why does Jesus say Lazarus "sleepeth" when he is actually dead?**

Answer: Jesus uses the metaphor of "sleep" (Greek, _koimáō_) to describe Lazarus's death for several profound theological reasons. Firstly, it was a common euphemism in ancient Jewish culture and biblical tradition for the death of the righteous, implying a temporary state rather than a final end (e.g., [Daniel 12:2](/daniel/12-2 "Daniel 12:2 - Sleep of the Dust")). Secondly, and most importantly, Jesus uses it to highlight His divine power and the coming resurrection. For those who are "in Christ," death is not a permanent annihilation but a temporary "sleep" from which they will be awakened by Christ's voice. This foreshadows Jesus's ultimate victory over death and His role as the "Resurrection and the Life" [John 11:25](/john/11-25 "Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life"). The disciples' initial misunderstanding serves to underscore the radical nature of Jesus's claim and the miracle He is about to perform.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 11:11, with its profound declaration of Lazarus "sleeping" and Jesus's intent to "awake him out of sleep," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus's own resurrection and His promise of eternal life for all who believe. Lazarus's temporary "sleep" and subsequent awakening by the Lord's command serve as a powerful microcosm of the greater spiritual reality: that through Christ, death has lost its sting. Jesus's power to call Lazarus from the tomb foreshadows His own triumphant victory over death, when He Himself was raised from the "sleep" of the grave on the third day [Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Newness of Life in Christ"). More profoundly, it points to the believer's future resurrection, where those who have died in Christ are not truly lost but are merely "sleeping," awaiting the glorious day when Christ will call them forth to eternal life [1 Corinthians 15:20-22](/1_corinthians/15-20-22 "Christ, the Firstfruits of Resurrection"). Thus, John 11:11 is not merely a historical account of a miracle, but a prophetic declaration of the power of the resurrected Christ to conquer death for all humanity, offering hope and new life to everyone who trusts in Him [Colossians 3:1-4](/colossians/3-1-4 "Life Hidden with Christ").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Daniel 12:2

And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame [and] everlasting contempt.

John 11:13

Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.

Acts 7:60

And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

1 Thessalonians 5:10

Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

1 Corinthians 15:51

¶ Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

Matthew 27:52

And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

Mark 5:39

And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.