John 11:21

Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

Then {G3767} said {G2036} Martha {G3136} unto {G4314} Jesus {G2424}, Lord {G2962}, if {G1487} thou hadst been {G2258} here {G5602}, my {G3450} brother {G80}{G302} had {G2348} not {G3756} died {G2348}.

Marta said to Yeshua, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.

Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.

Martha therefore said unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

Commentary

Context of John 11:21

John 11:21 finds us in the village of Bethany, a place Jesus frequently visited and where His dear friends, Martha, Mary, and their brother Lazarus, resided. The scene is set after Lazarus has died and been in the tomb for four days. Jesus, having intentionally delayed His arrival (as revealed in John 11:4), finally comes to Bethany. Martha, ever the proactive sister, goes out to meet Him, her heart heavy with grief and a poignant mixture of faith and human sorrow.

Key Themes in John 11:21

  • Grief and Honest Expression: Martha's words, "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died," are a raw and honest outpouring of her grief and disappointment. They reveal the profound sorrow of losing a loved one, a universal human experience. Her statement is not an accusation, but a lament rooted in her belief in Jesus' power to prevent death.
  • Belief in Jesus' Power: Despite her sorrow, Martha's statement implicitly acknowledges Jesus' divine authority and ability to heal and prevent illness from leading to death. She knew His power was sufficient. This sets the stage for Jesus to reveal an even greater power – His authority over death itself, culminating in the resurrection of Lazarus.
  • Human Perspective vs. Divine Timing: Martha's "if only" reflects a common human desire for immediate intervention and a lack of understanding regarding God's larger, often mysterious, purposes. Jesus' delay was not due to indifference, but part of a divine plan to reveal His glory and strengthen the faith of His disciples, as well as Martha and Mary. This theme of divine timing is crucial throughout the biblical narrative.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "if thou hadst been here" in the KJV translates a Greek conditional clause (ei en hode) that expresses a condition contrary to fact in the past. It conveys a deep sense of regret or a wistful longing for what did not happen. It's not a question of doubt about Jesus' ability, but an expression of sorrow over the missed opportunity, from Martha's perspective. It highlights her belief that Jesus’ presence was sufficient to avert tragedy.

Practical Application and Reflection

Martha's lament in John 11:21 resonates deeply with believers today. How often do we, in times of crisis or loss, think, "Lord, if only you had... (prevented this, arrived sooner, intervened differently)?"

  • Honest Prayer: This verse encourages us to bring our unfiltered grief, disappointment, and even our "if only" questions to Jesus. He can handle our raw emotions.
  • Trusting God's Timing and Purpose: While we may desire immediate solutions, Martha's story reminds us that God's timing is perfect, and His purposes are higher than our immediate understanding. He often works in ways that demonstrate His glory more profoundly than we could imagine, just as He did when He declared Himself to be "the resurrection, and the life" to Martha.
  • Beyond Prevention to Resurrection: Martha believed Jesus could prevent death. The deeper truth Jesus revealed was His power over death, offering not just physical healing but eternal life. This challenges us to expand our understanding of Jesus' power beyond what we expect or limit Him to.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • John 11:32

    Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

  • Matthew 9:18

    ¶ While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.

  • 1 Kings 17:18

    And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?

  • John 11:37

    And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?

  • John 4:47

    When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.

  • John 4:49

    The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.

  • Luke 7:6

    Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:
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