John 11:23

KJV

Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.

KJV (with Strong's)

Jesus {G2424} saith {G3004} unto her {G846}, Thy {G4675} brother {G80} shall rise again {G450}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

Berean Standard Bible

“Your brother will rise again,” Jesus told her.

American Standard Version

Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jesus offers a profound and direct promise to Martha, the grieving sister of Lazarus, declaring with divine authority that her brother "shall rise again." This statement, delivered amidst the deep sorrow of death, serves as a pivotal moment in the narrative, not only offering immediate comfort but also setting the stage for Jesus's miraculous demonstration of His power over death and His ultimate revelation as the very embodiment of resurrection and life.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the dramatic and deeply personal narrative of Lazarus's death and resurrection in [John 11](/john/11 "John 11 - The Raising of Lazarus"). Jesus has intentionally delayed His arrival in Bethany, allowing Lazarus to die and be buried for four days, a detail emphasized to underscore the finality of death and the magnitude of the miracle to come. Martha, upon hearing of Jesus's arrival, rushes out to meet Him, expressing her profound grief and lingering faith with the poignant words, "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died" ([John 11:21](/john/11-21 "John 11:21 - Martha's Lament")). Jesus's response in [John 11:23](/john/11-23 "John 11:23 - Jesus' Promise to Martha") is a direct, tender, yet authoritative declaration, immediately preceding His profound "I am" statement in [John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus: The Resurrection and the Life"), which clarifies the true nature of His power and identity. This exchange is designed to elevate Martha's understanding from a general belief in a future resurrection to a present, personal encounter with the source of life itself.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Judea, the death of a loved one was met with elaborate mourning rituals, typically lasting seven days, with professional mourners often employed. The belief in a future resurrection of the dead was a common tenet among the Pharisees, as opposed to the Sadducees who denied it ([Acts 23:8](/acts/23-8 "Acts 23:8 - Pharisees and Sadducees on Resurrection")). Jewish tradition held that the soul lingered near the body for three days, but by the fourth day, decomposition would have begun, signifying irreversible death. Lazarus being dead for four days ([John 11:17](/john/11-17 "John 11:17 - Lazarus Dead Four Days")) would have been seen as an undeniable, unalterable state, making any talk of resurrection particularly audacious. Martha's initial understanding of Jesus's promise, "I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day" ([John 11:24](/john/11-24 "John 11:24 - Martha's Understanding of Resurrection")), reflects this prevalent Jewish eschatological hope. Jesus's subsequent action would therefore shatter all conventional expectations and demonstrate a unique, immediate power over the grave.
* **Key Themes:** [John 11:23](/john/11-23 "John 11:23 - Jesus' Promise to Martha") contributes significantly to several major themes within John's Gospel. Firstly, it highlights **Jesus's Authority Over Death**, a central tenet of His divine identity, which culminates in the raising of Lazarus and foreshadows His own resurrection. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Hope in Grief**, offering profound comfort and assurance to those who mourn, redirecting their focus from the finality of physical death to the promise of eternal life through Christ. This hope is not merely for a distant future but is embodied in Jesus Himself, as He declares, "I am the resurrection, and the life" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus' Declaration")). Thirdly, the passage emphasizes **Divine Glory and Revelation**, as Jesus's actions are performed "that the Son of God might be glorified thereby" ([John 11:4](/john/11-4 "John 11:4 - Sickness for God's Glory")), revealing His unique relationship with the Father and His power to give life. Finally, it explores the nature of **Faith**, challenging Martha to move beyond a general theological understanding to a personal trust in Jesus's immediate power.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **saith (Greek, _légō'_):** This primary verb signifies a systematic or set discourse, indicating that Jesus's words are not a casual remark but a deliberate, authoritative declaration. It implies a weighty pronouncement, a statement of truth intended to convey a profound reality, rather than a mere expression of comfort or empathy. Jesus is "laying forth" a truth with divine certainty.
* **brother (Greek, _adelphós'_):** Derived from a word implying "from the same womb," this term denotes a close familial bond. Its use here emphasizes the intensely personal nature of Martha's grief and Jesus's compassionate response. It grounds the theological promise in a tangible, relatable human relationship, highlighting that Jesus's power extends even to the most intimate losses.
* **shall rise again (Greek, _anístēmi'_):** This verb, meaning "to stand up (again)" or "to raise up," is crucial. While it can refer to a general eschatological resurrection, in this immediate context, Jesus uses it with an active, imminent, and personal implication. It points not just to a future event but to an immediate demonstration of power, signifying Jesus's ability to call someone back from the grave in the present. It implies a literal standing up from the state of death.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Jesus saith unto her,"**: This opening clause establishes the speaker and the recipient of the profound declaration. It highlights Jesus's initiative in addressing Martha's grief directly and personally. The use of "saith" (from _légō_) underscores the deliberate and authoritative nature of His impending statement, not merely a casual remark but a weighty pronouncement.
* **"Thy brother shall rise again."**: This is the core of Jesus's promise. It is a direct, unambiguous declaration of future action. The phrase "shall rise again" uses the Greek verb _anístēmi_, which, while often referring to the general resurrection at the end of time, is here imbued with immediate, miraculous significance by Jesus. It is a statement of divine power and certainty, intended to offer hope and prepare Martha for the astonishing event that is about to unfold, challenging her to consider a resurrection beyond her conventional understanding.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Direct Address** is prominent, as Jesus speaks directly and personally to Martha ("unto her," "Thy brother"), emphasizing the intimate and compassionate nature of His interaction with her in her grief. This personal engagement makes the subsequent miracle even more impactful. There is also clear **Foreshadowing**, as Jesus's simple declaration directly anticipates the miraculous raising of Lazarus that immediately follows in the narrative ([John 11:43-44](/john/11-43-44 "John 11:43-44 - Lazarus, Come Forth!")). This statement functions as a **Prophetic Declaration**, a divine pronouncement of a future event that Jesus Himself will bring to pass, demonstrating His sovereign power over life and death. Furthermore, there is a subtle **Irony** in Martha's initial understanding, as she interprets "rise again" in the conventional eschatological sense ([John 11:24](/john/11-24 "John 11:24 - Martha's Understanding")), while Jesus intends a much more immediate and tangible fulfillment, setting up the dramatic reveal of His identity as "the resurrection and the life."

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jesus's declaration in [John 11:23](/john/11-23 "John 11:23 - Jesus' Promise to Martha") is a foundational statement regarding His unique authority over death, serving as a prelude to His self-revelation as the very source of resurrection life. It transcends a mere comforting word, establishing a theological truth that death is not the final victor for those connected to Him. This promise, initially misunderstood by Martha in its immediate scope, points to a deeper reality: Jesus doesn't just *grant* resurrection, He *is* the Resurrection. This concept is central to Christian eschatology and the hope of eternal life, assuring believers that physical death is a temporary state, ultimately overcome by Christ's power. It connects the immediate, personal grief of Martha to the universal, cosmic victory of Christ over the grave, providing profound solace and certainty.

* [John 5:28-29](/john/5-28-29 "John 5:28-29 - The Hour is Coming for Resurrection") - Jesus speaks of a future hour when all in the graves will hear His voice and come forth.
* [1 Corinthians 15:20-22](/1_corinthians/15-20-22 "1 Corinthians 15:20-22 - Christ as Firstfruits of Resurrection") - Paul declares Christ as the "firstfruits of them that slept," guaranteeing the resurrection of all who are in Him.
* [Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Jesus Holds the Keys of Death and Hades") - Jesus proclaims, "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[John 11:23](/john/11-23 "John 11:23 - Jesus' Promise to Martha") offers profound solace and a robust foundation for Christian hope in the face of loss and mortality. In moments of deep grief, when the finality of death feels overwhelming, Jesus's simple yet powerful declaration to Martha reminds us that death does not have the final word for those who belong to Him. This verse encourages us to shift our perspective from the immediate sorrow of separation to the ultimate triumph of life over death, embodied in Christ. It challenges us to move beyond a general theological understanding of a future resurrection to a personal, active faith in Jesus as the one who *is* the resurrection and the life, capable of bringing life out of any death, whether physical, spiritual, or emotional. Our hope is not in a concept, but in a living Person who has conquered the grave and promises eternal life to all who believe. This assurance empowers us to grieve with hope, knowing that our loved ones who have died in faith will indeed "rise again" and that our own ultimate destiny is secure in Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus's promise to Martha challenge or expand your understanding of resurrection beyond a distant future event?**
* **In what areas of your life, beyond physical death, do you need to hear Jesus declare, "Thy brother (or situation) shall rise again"?**
* **How does the certainty of resurrection impact your approach to grief, loss, and the anxieties of this life?**

### FAQ
**Did Martha fully understand Jesus's promise in John 11:23?**

Answer: Initially, Martha did not fully grasp the immediate and miraculous implication of Jesus's words. Her response in [John 11:24](/john/11-24 "John 11:24 - Martha's Understanding of Resurrection") clarifies her understanding: "I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day." She interpreted "shall rise again" in the common Jewish eschatological sense, referring to the general resurrection of the righteous at the end of time. Jesus's subsequent declaration, "I am the resurrection, and the life" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus: The Resurrection and the Life")), was intended to elevate her understanding from a future event to a present reality embodied in Him.

**Why did Jesus wait four days before coming to Bethany?**

Answer: Jesus's delay was intentional and served several profound purposes. Firstly, it ensured that Lazarus was undeniably dead, having been in the tomb for four days ([John 11:17](/john/11-17 "John 11:17 - Lazarus Dead Four Days")), a period that, according to Jewish belief, meant the soul had definitively departed and decomposition had begun. This eliminated any possibility of resuscitation or natural recovery, making the subsequent miracle undeniably divine. Secondly, the delay allowed for the full expression of human grief and despair, setting the stage for Jesus to demonstrate His power in the most dramatic way possible. Finally, it was "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")), revealing Jesus's unique authority over death and His identity as the Resurrection and the Life.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[John 11:23](/john/11-23 "John 11:23 - Jesus' Promise to Martha") finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not merely in the raising of Lazarus, but in Jesus Himself being the very embodiment of the resurrection. While Lazarus's resurrection was a powerful sign, it was a temporary return to mortal life, a foreshadowing. The true and eternal fulfillment lies in Jesus's own triumph over death through His crucifixion and glorious resurrection from the grave ([Matthew 28:1-10](/matthew/28-1-10 "Matthew 28:1-10 - The Resurrection of Jesus")). He is the "firstfruits of them that slept" ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ as Firstfruits")), guaranteeing the future resurrection of all who believe in Him. Jesus's declaration, "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus: The Resurrection and the Life")), reveals that He is not just the one who *grants* resurrection, but the very source and power of life over death. His victory over the grave means that for believers, death is not a final end, but a transition to eternal life with Him ([Philippians 1:21](/philippians/1-21 "Philippians 1:21 - To Live is Christ, to Die is Gain")). Thus, Martha's brother rising again points forward to the ultimate reality that through Christ, all who are in Him will truly "rise again" to everlasting life ([Romans 6:5](/romans/6-5 "Romans 6:5 - United with Christ in Resurrection")).

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

John 11:43

And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

John 11:44

And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.