John 11:17

¶ Then when Jesus came, he found that he had [lain] in the grave four days already.

Then {G3767} when Jesus {G2424} came {G2064}, he found {G2147} that he {G846} had {G2192} lain in {G1722} the grave {G3419} four {G5064} days {G2250} already {G2235}.

On arrival, Yeshua found that El‘azar had already been in the tomb for four days.

When Jesus arrived, He found that Lazarus had already spent four days in the tomb.

So when Jesus came, he found that he had been in the tomb four days already.

Commentary on John 11:17 (KJV)

John 11:17: "Then when Jesus came, he found that he had [lain] in the grave four days already."

Context

This verse marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Lazarus's death and resurrection, one of Jesus' most profound miracles. After receiving word that His dear friend Lazarus was sick in Bethany, Jesus intentionally delayed His arrival for two days (John 11:6). This delay was not out of indifference, but purposeful, designed to allow the situation to reach a point where human hope was exhausted, thereby magnifying God's glory through an undeniable demonstration of divine power. When Jesus finally arrived, He was met with the stark reality that Lazarus had been dead and buried for four days.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Finality of Death: In Jewish custom of the time, the fourth day after death was particularly significant. It was widely believed that the soul lingered near the body for up to three days, but by the fourth day, decay would have begun, and any hope of resuscitation was abandoned. This common belief underscores the absolute finality of Lazarus's death, making Jesus' subsequent miracle undeniably supernatural and beyond any natural explanation or mere resuscitation.
  • Jesus' Sovereignty Over Death: The four-day period emphatically highlights Jesus' absolute authority over life and death. His power was not just to heal the sick or raise the recently deceased, but to conquer death even in its most established state. This event serves as a powerful testament to Jesus' declaration, "I am the resurrection, and the life."
  • Divine Timing and Purpose: Jesus' deliberate delay, though agonizing for Martha and Mary, was part of God's perfect timing. It ensured that the miracle would be irrefutable proof of Jesus' identity and power, ultimately leading many to believe (John 11:45). This teaches us that God's timing, though often different from our own, is always for a greater purpose and His glory.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV's use of "[lain]" in brackets indicates that this word was supplied by the translators for clarity. The original Greek simply conveys the state of being in the tomb for four days. The emphasis is not on the act of lying down, but on the duration and condition of being deceased and interred, reinforcing the length of time Lazarus had been in the grave and the irreversible nature of his death from a human perspective.

Practical Application

John 11:17 offers profound encouragement: even in seemingly hopeless situations where all natural solutions have failed and time has passed, Jesus remains sovereign. This narrative reassures believers that no situation is beyond God's power. It encourages us to trust in God's perfect timing and His ultimate plan, even when our prayers aren't answered immediately or in the way we expect. The story of Lazarus serves as a powerful reminder that Jesus truly is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, holding the keys to death and the grave.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 11:39

    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.

  • Hosea 6:2

    After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.

  • Acts 2:27

    Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

  • Acts 2:31

    He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

  • John 2:19

    Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

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