John 11:12

KJV

Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G3767} said {G2036} his {G846} disciples {G3101}, Lord {G2962}, if {G1487} he sleep {G2837}, he shall do well {G4982}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The talmidim said to him, “Lord, if he has gone to sleep, he will get better.”

Berean Standard Bible

His disciples replied, “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will get better.”

American Standard Version

The disciples therefore said unto him, Lord, if he is fallen asleep, he will recover.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In John 11:12, Jesus' disciples respond to His statement about Lazarus "sleeping" with a hopeful, yet mistaken, interpretation: "Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well." This brief exchange highlights their initial misunderstanding of Jesus' metaphorical language regarding death, setting the stage for a profound revelation of His power over life and death and the impending miracle of Lazarus's resurrection.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a direct response to Jesus' declaration in [John 11:11](/john/11-11 "John 11:11 - Jesus Says Lazarus is Asleep") that "Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep." The disciples, taking Jesus' words literally, infer that if Lazarus is merely resting, his condition is improving, and therefore, there is no urgent need for Jesus to travel to Bethany. Their literal interpretation serves as a crucial narrative device, creating a dramatic contrast with Jesus' subsequent clarification in [John 11:13](/john/11-13 "John 11:13 - Jesus Clarifies Lazarus is Dead") that He was speaking of death. This misunderstanding amplifies the impact of Jesus' later actions, demonstrating His unique authority and insight.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Jewish culture, "sleep" was a common euphemism for death, particularly for those who died in faith, implying a temporary state before resurrection. However, the disciples, focused on Lazarus's physical well-being, interpreted Jesus' words through a purely natural lens. Furthermore, the immediate backdrop involves significant danger for Jesus in Judea, as highlighted by Thomas's grim assessment in [John 11:16](/john/11-16 "John 11:16 - Thomas's Readiness to Die with Jesus"). The disciples' suggestion that Jesus need not go to Bethany if Lazarus was recovering might also stem from a desire to protect Him from the hostile Jewish leaders who had recently sought to stone Him in Jerusalem ([John 10:31](/john/10-31 "John 10:31 - Jews Attempt to Stone Jesus")).
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in John's Gospel. It prominently features the **misunderstanding motif**, a recurring literary device where characters fail to grasp the spiritual or deeper meaning of Jesus' words, requiring His explicit clarification (e.g., Nicodemus in [John 3:3-4](/john/3-3-4 "John 3:3-4 - Nicodemus's Misunderstanding of Being Born Again") or the Samaritan woman in [John 4:10-15](/john/4-10-15 "John 4:10-15 - Samaritan Woman Misunderstands Living Water")). It also underscores Jesus' **sovereignty over life and death**, as His subsequent action will reveal the true nature of Lazarus's "sleep." The disciples' hopeful, albeit misguided, assessment inadvertently highlights the severity of Lazarus's actual condition, thereby magnifying the glory of God that will be revealed through Jesus' miraculous intervention, as Jesus Himself stated in [John 11:4](/john/11-4 "John 11:4 - Lazarus's Illness for God's Glory").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sleep (Greek, _koimáō'_):** From the root meaning "to put to sleep," this verb signifies slumber but is frequently used in the New Testament as a euphemism for death, especially the death of believers. For instance, Stephen's death is described as "falling asleep" in [Acts 7:60](/acts/7-60 "Acts 7:60 - Stephen Falls Asleep"). In this context, Jesus uses it to mean death, implying a temporary state akin to rest, from which one will eventually awaken, a concept central to the Christian hope of resurrection. The disciples, however, interpret it in its literal sense of physical rest.
* **do well (Greek, _sṓzō'_):** Derived from a word meaning "safe," this verb encompasses a range of meanings including to save, deliver, preserve, heal, or make whole. The disciples' use of "he shall do well" implies physical recovery or improvement, suggesting that if Lazarus is merely sleeping, his health is on the mend and he will recover naturally. Their understanding is limited to physical well-being, completely missing Jesus' deeper implication of a spiritual "saving" or "making whole" through resurrection from death.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then said his disciples,"**: This phrase indicates a direct, immediate response from the disciples to Jesus' preceding statement about Lazarus sleeping. It sets up the dialogue that reveals their current level of understanding.
* **"Lord,"**: The disciples address Jesus with a title of respect and authority, acknowledging His position, even as they struggle to grasp the full implications of His words. This address underscores their relationship with Him as Master and Teacher.
* **"if he sleep,"**: This conditional clause reflects the disciples' literal interpretation of Jesus' euphemism. They assume "sleep" means natural rest, a common symptom of illness that often precedes recovery. Their premise is that Lazarus is not dead, but merely in a deep slumber.
* **"he shall do well."**: This conclusion logically follows their premise. If Lazarus is only sleeping, then his condition is improving, and he will recover without the need for Jesus to intervene or travel into a dangerous region. This statement reveals their hope for Lazarus's natural recovery and their concern for Jesus' safety.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Euphemism** and **Irony**. The **Euphemism** is Jesus' use of "sleep" to refer to death, a common biblical metaphor that softens the harshness of death and hints at a future awakening or resurrection. The disciples' response, however, demonstrates their complete misunderstanding of this euphemism, taking it literally. This leads to **Irony**: the disciples believe Lazarus will "do well" through natural recovery if he is sleeping, when in reality, he is already dead, and his only hope of "doing well" (i.e., being raised to life) depends entirely on Jesus' supernatural power. Their hopeful, yet mistaken, assessment inadvertently highlights the profound nature of the miracle Jesus is about to perform, as their natural understanding is utterly inadequate for the divine reality. This also serves as a prime example of the **Misunderstanding Motif** prevalent in John's Gospel, where characters often misinterpret Jesus' spiritual truths through a purely earthly lens.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The disciples' misunderstanding in [John 11:12](/john/11-12 "John 11:12 - Disciples Misunderstand Jesus' Words") serves as a poignant reminder of the chasm that often exists between human perception and divine reality. It highlights the necessity of spiritual discernment to grasp the deeper truths of God's Word, which often transcend mere literal interpretation. The biblical portrayal of death as "sleep" for believers is a profound theological concept, offering comfort and hope by reframing death not as an ultimate end, but as a temporary rest, a waiting period before the glorious resurrection. This perspective underscores God's ultimate victory over death through Christ, transforming a feared enemy into a temporary transition.

* [Acts 7:60](/acts/7-60 "Acts 7:60 - Stephen's Death")
* [1 Corinthians 15:51-52](/1_corinthians/15-51-52 "1 Corinthians 15:51-52 - The Mystery of Resurrection")
* [1 Thessalonians 4:13-14](/1_thessalonians/4-13-14 "1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 - Hope for Those Who Sleep in Jesus")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This passage invites us to examine how we approach spiritual truths. Are we, like the disciples, prone to interpreting God's words through a purely natural or literal lens, missing the deeper, often metaphorical or spiritual, dimensions? The disciples' initial hope that Lazarus would "do well" through natural means stands in stark contrast to the reality of his death and the subsequent display of Christ's power. This reminds us that God's plans and methods often defy our limited human expectations and logic. For believers, the imagery of death as "sleep" offers immense comfort, transforming the fear of cessation into the hope of a peaceful rest, awaiting a glorious awakening in Christ. It encourages us to trust in Jesus' ultimate authority over life and death, even when circumstances seem dire or beyond natural remedy, and to seek His divine perspective rather than relying solely on our own understanding.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or understanding of scripture might I be prone to a literal interpretation that misses a deeper spiritual truth?**
* **How does the biblical concept of death as "sleep" for believers bring me comfort or challenge my existing views on mortality?**
* **Where do I need to trust Jesus' deeper purpose and power, even when my natural understanding suggests a different outcome or solution?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus use the word "sleep" to describe Lazarus's death?**

Answer: Jesus used "sleep" as a euphemism for death for several profound reasons. Firstly, it was a common and accepted idiom in Jewish culture for the death of a righteous person, implying a peaceful rest. More significantly, it conveyed a theological truth: for believers, death is not a final cessation of existence but a temporary state, a "sleep" from which they will awaken through resurrection. This imagery foreshadows Jesus' own victory over death and the promise of eternal life for those who believe in Him, as He later declares in [John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life"). By using "sleep," Jesus was subtly pointing to His power to "awaken" Lazarus, just as one awakens from natural sleep, thereby emphasizing His unique authority over life and death.

**What does this passage teach us about the disciples' understanding of Jesus?**

Answer: This passage illustrates the disciples' ongoing struggle to fully grasp the spiritual and divine nature of Jesus' words and mission. Despite having spent considerable time with Him, their understanding was often limited by their human perspective and earthly expectations. Their literal interpretation of "sleep" reveals their initial inability to comprehend Jesus' deeper meaning, particularly His unique power over death. This recurring "misunderstanding motif" throughout John's Gospel (e.g., [John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Speaks of His Body as the Temple"), [John 4:31-34](/john/4-31-34 "John 4:31-34 - Jesus' Food is Doing God's Will")) highlights the need for divine revelation and the Holy Spirit's illumination to truly understand the things of God. It also sets the stage for Jesus to explicitly clarify His meaning and demonstrate His glory, thereby deepening their faith.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The disciples' hopeful but mistaken utterance in [John 11:12](/john/11-12 "John 11:12 - Disciples Misunderstand Jesus' Words") ("Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well") serves as a powerful backdrop for the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. While the disciples anticipated a natural recovery, Jesus was preparing to demonstrate His ultimate authority as "the resurrection and the life" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")). Lazarus's death, though a source of grief, was ultimately "for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby" ([John 11:4](/john/11-4 "John 11:4 - Lazarus's Illness for God's Glory")). This event foreshadows Jesus' own death and glorious resurrection, which is the cornerstone of Christian hope. Because Jesus conquered death on the cross and rose again ([John 20](/john/20 "John 20 - The Resurrection of Jesus")), He holds "the keys of hell and of death" ([Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Jesus Holds the Keys of Death and Hades")), ensuring that for those who believe in Him, death is indeed but a temporary "sleep" from which they will awaken to eternal life. Thus, the disciples' unwitting hope for Lazarus's well-being finds its true and eternal fulfillment in Christ, who alone makes all things well for those who are in Him.

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.