John 11:15

KJV

And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} I am glad {G5463} for {G1223} your sakes {G5209} that {G3754} I was {G2252}{G2258} not {G3756} there {G1563}, to the intent {G2443} ye may believe {G4100}; nevertheless {G235} let us go {G71} unto {G4314} him {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

And for your sakes, I am glad that I wasn’t there, so that you may come to trust. But let’s go to him.”

Berean Standard Bible

and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”

American Standard Version

And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Jesus expresses His gladness at not being present during Lazarus's death, revealing His deliberate timing to His disciples. His absence was not a failure but a strategic decision designed to strengthen their faith through a greater display of divine power. Despite the clear danger awaiting Him in Judea, Jesus resolutely declares His intention to go to Lazarus, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to God's will and His profound love. This verse encapsulates Jesus's sovereign control, pedagogical intent, and courageous resolve in the face of impending peril, all aimed at revealing His glory and solidifying His disciples' belief in Him as the Lord of life.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment within the dramatic narrative of Lazarus's death and resurrection, one of the seven "signs" in John's Gospel that reveal Jesus's divine identity. Prior to this, Jesus has received word of Lazarus's illness in Bethany, a village near Jerusalem, and His beloved friend's sisters, Mary and Martha, are distressed. Surprisingly, Jesus intentionally delays His departure for two days, stating that Lazarus's illness is "not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby" [John 11:4](/john/11-4 "John 11:4 - Sickness for God's Glory"). When Jesus finally proposes returning to Judea, the disciples express fear, reminding Him of the recent attempt by Jewish leaders to stone Him [John 11:8](/john/11-8 "John 11:8 - Disciples' Fear"). Jesus then clarifies that Lazarus has died, not merely fallen asleep, setting the stage for the profound statement in [John 11:15](/john/11-15 "John 11:15 - Jesus' Purposeful Delay") where He explains the *purpose* of His delay before commanding them to go with Him into a dangerous situation.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Bethany, located just two miles east of Jerusalem, was a familiar and relatively safe haven for Jesus and His disciples. However, Jerusalem and its surrounding Judean region were centers of intense opposition from the Jewish religious authorities, who had recently sought to stone Jesus [John 10:31](/john/10-31 "John 10:31 - Attempted Stoning"). Traveling back to this area was a significant risk. The cultural understanding of death and mourning involved immediate burial and a seven-day period of intense grief, with the belief that the soul lingered near the body for three days. By delaying four days, Jesus allowed for the complete certainty of Lazarus's death, dispelling any possibility of a mere resuscitation or misdiagnosis, and thus magnifying the miracle to come. This deliberate timing also challenged the common belief that after three days, no return to life was possible, preparing the ground for a truly unprecedented act.

* **Key Themes:** [John 11:15](/john/11-15 "John 11:15 - Jesus' Purposeful Delay") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in John's Gospel. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Purposeful Timing**, demonstrating that Jesus is in complete control, even over death, and that His actions are always aligned with God's greater plan for glory and belief. This aligns with His earlier declaration in [John 5:19](/john/5-19 "John 5:19 - The Son Does What the Father Does"). Another crucial theme is **The Strengthening of Faith**, as Jesus explicitly states His delay was "to the intent ye may believe." This miracle, like others in John, serves as a sign designed to evoke and deepen belief in Jesus as the Son of God and the giver of eternal life [John 20:31](/john/20-31 "John 20:31 - Purpose of John's Gospel"). Finally, the verse underscores **Courageous Obedience and Self-Sacrifice**, as Jesus, fully aware of the danger, resolutely leads His disciples back into Judea, foreshadowing His ultimate journey to Jerusalem for His own crucifixion and resurrection [John 12:27-33](/john/12-27-33 "John 12:27-33 - Jesus Predicts His Death").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **glad (Greek, _chaírō'_):** G5463 - This primary verb signifies being "cheerful," calmly happy, or well-off. In this context, Jesus's gladness is not a morbid joy over Lazarus's death, but a profound satisfaction in the divine plan unfolding. It indicates His full awareness and acceptance of the greater purpose that Lazarus's death would serve, specifically the strengthening of His disciples' faith and the revelation of God's glory.
* **believe (Greek, _pisteúō'_):** G4100 - Derived from _pístis_ (faith), this verb means "to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing)," implying credit or entrustment, especially of one's spiritual well-being to Christ. Here, it denotes a deep, transformative trust and reliance on Jesus's identity and power, beyond mere intellectual assent. The miracle of raising Lazarus was intended to solidify this profound belief in the disciples, confirming Jesus's authority over life and death.
* **go (Greek, _ágō'_):** G71 - A primary verb meaning "to lead," by implication "to bring, drive, (reflexively) go." In this imperative "let us go," it conveys Jesus's decisive leadership and determination. Despite the danger, He is actively leading His disciples into the situation, demonstrating His commitment to His mission and His willingness to confront the consequences for the sake of God's glory and the disciples' spiritual growth.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there,"**: Jesus expresses a profound, purposeful joy. His "gladness" is not about Lazarus's suffering or death, but about the divine opportunity that His absence created. He was not "there" (G1563, _ekeî_), indicating a deliberate, sovereign choice to delay His arrival. This intentional absence was "for your sakes" (G1223, _diá_ G5209, _hymâs_), meaning for the benefit and spiritual development of His disciples. It implies that a greater display of power and a deeper lesson were possible precisely because He allowed the situation to escalate to the point of death.
* **"to the intent ye may believe;"**: This clause, introduced by "to the intent" (G2443, _hína_), clearly states the *purpose* of Jesus's delay. The ultimate goal was to deepen the disciples' faith (G4100, _pisteúō_). They had seen Him heal the sick, but raising someone who had been dead for four days would be an undeniable demonstration of His power over death itself, a sign meant to solidify their belief in Him as the "Resurrection and the Life" [John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life"). This event was a critical pedagogical moment designed to prepare them for His own death and resurrection.
* **"nevertheless let us go unto him."**: Despite the stated purpose being achieved through His absence, Jesus now decisively commands action. "Nevertheless" (G235, _allá_) introduces a strong contrast, indicating a turning point from explanation to resolve. The phrase "let us go" (G71, _ágō_) is an imperative, a call to immediate and courageous action. This is not a passive suggestion but a firm directive to proceed to Lazarus, despite the known dangers in Judea. It underscores Jesus's unwavering commitment to His mission and His love for Lazarus, even as He leads His disciples into a potentially perilous situation.

#### Literary Devices
[John 11:15](/john/11-15 "John 11:15 - Jesus' Purposeful Delay") employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. There is a clear element of **Irony** in Jesus declaring He is "glad" He was not present at Lazarus's death; this is counter-intuitive to human expectation of sympathy and immediate intervention. However, this irony serves to highlight Jesus's divine perspective, where a seemingly negative event (death) is orchestrated for a greater, positive outcome (strengthening faith and revealing glory). The phrase "to the intent ye may believe" functions as a **Purpose Clause**, explicitly stating the divine intention behind Jesus's actions. This device clarifies the theological significance of the delay, moving it beyond mere happenstance to a deliberate act of divine pedagogy. Furthermore, the entire narrative leading up to and including this verse is rich with **Foreshadowing**. Jesus's power over death in raising Lazarus powerfully foreshadows His own resurrection, validating His claims to be the "Resurrection and the Life" [John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life"). The disciples' fear of returning to Judea and Jesus's resolute decision to go "unto him" also **Foreshadows** Jesus's ultimate journey to Jerusalem, where He would willingly face death on the cross for the salvation of humanity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 11:15 profoundly illustrates God's sovereign control over all circumstances, even those that appear tragic or delayed from a human perspective. Jesus's gladness at His absence from Lazarus's death underscores a divine wisdom that sees beyond immediate sorrow to a greater, redemptive purpose. This event serves as a powerful testament to the truth that God often works through seemingly adverse situations to bring about a more profound revelation of His glory and to deepen the faith of His people. The purposeful delay and the subsequent miracle are not just about restoring life but about demonstrating Jesus's ultimate authority over death, a foundational truth for Christian theology. This narrative reinforces the idea that God's timing is always perfect, designed to maximize His glory and cultivate genuine, resilient faith in those who follow Him.

* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works for Good")
* [Psalms 27:13-14](/psalms/27-13-14 "Psalm 27:13-14 - Waiting on the Lord")
* [Hebrews 11:6](/hebrews/11-6 "Hebrews 11:6 - Faith is Essential")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[John 11:15](/john/11-15 "John 11:15 - Jesus' Purposeful Delay") offers profound comfort and challenge for contemporary believers. In a world that often demands instant gratification and immediate solutions, Jesus's deliberate delay reminds us that God's timing is rarely ours, yet it is always perfect. When we face situations where God seems absent, slow, or unresponsive, this verse encourages us to trust that He is orchestrating events for a greater purpose – often to deepen our faith and reveal His power in ways we could not have imagined. Our trials and periods of waiting are not meaningless; they are often the very crucible in which our faith is refined and strengthened, preparing us to witness and participate in God's more glorious works. Furthermore, Jesus's courageous resolve to go to Lazarus despite the danger calls us to a similar commitment to God's will, even when it involves personal cost or discomfort. It reminds us that true discipleship often requires us to step out in faith, trusting that God will empower and protect us as we obey His call.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus's "gladness" in this verse challenge or affirm your understanding of God's perspective on suffering and delay in your own life?**
* **Can you recall a time when God's seeming delay or absence in a difficult situation ultimately led to a deeper understanding of His power or a strengthening of your faith?**
* **What specific "dangers" or discomforts might God be calling you to face today, trusting that He has a greater purpose in mind?**

### FAQ
**Why was Jesus "glad" that He was not there when Lazarus died?**

Answer: Jesus's gladness was not a callous disregard for Lazarus's suffering or the grief of Mary and Martha. Rather, it stemmed from His divine foresight and understanding of the greater purpose that Lazarus's death would serve. By delaying His arrival until Lazarus was undeniably dead (four days, ensuring no doubt of a mere coma or misdiagnosis), Jesus set the stage for a far more profound miracle: raising someone from the dead after decomposition had begun. This unprecedented act would powerfully demonstrate His ultimate authority over death and solidify His disciples' faith in Him as the "Resurrection and the Life" [John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life")), preparing them for His own impending death and resurrection. His gladness was rooted in the strategic unfolding of God's glory and the strengthening of belief.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[John 11:15](/john/11-15 "John 11:15 - Jesus' Purposeful Delay") is a powerful foreshadowing of Christ's ultimate victory over death and His role as the source of eternal life. Jesus's deliberate delay, leading to Lazarus's death, was a strategic act designed to magnify the miracle and deepen faith, much like His own death was a necessary prelude to His glorious resurrection. He willingly enters the domain of death and sorrow, not to be overcome by it, but to conquer it. His command, "nevertheless let us go unto him," echoes His resolute path to Jerusalem, where He would face His own crucifixion, not as a victim, but as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). The raising of Lazarus, orchestrated to strengthen the disciples' belief, serves as a microcosm of the larger truth of the Gospel: that through Christ's death and resurrection, all who believe in Him will have eternal life, even if they die physically [John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life"). Thus, Jesus's actions in [John 11](/john/11 "John 11 - The Raising of Lazarus") are not merely a demonstration of power, but a profound revelation of His identity as the Christ, whose victory over death secures the hope of resurrection for all who trust in Him, fulfilling the promise of new life found in Him alone [Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Newness of Life").

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

2 Timothy 2:10

Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

John 14:10

Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

John 14:11

Believe me that I [am] in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

John 12:30

Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.

Isaiah 54:15

Behold, they shall surely gather together, [but] not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.

John 11:35

Jesus wept.

John 11:36

Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!