John 11:24

KJV

Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

KJV (with Strong's)

Martha {G3136} saith {G3004} unto him {G846}, I know {G1492} that {G3754} he shall rise again {G450} in {G1722} the resurrection {G386} at {G1722} the last {G2078} day {G2250}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Marta said, “I know that he will rise again at the Resurrection on the Last Day.”

Berean Standard Bible

Martha replied, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

American Standard Version

Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Martha's declaration reveals her orthodox Jewish belief in a future, general resurrection of the dead at the culmination of history. This statement, made to Jesus in the immediate aftermath of her brother Lazarus's death, sets the stage for one of Jesus's most profound "I AM" declarations, where He reveals Himself not merely as a facilitator of resurrection, but as its very embodiment and source, challenging Martha's temporal understanding with the immediate reality of His divine power.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the pivotal narrative of Lazarus's death and resurrection in [John 11](/john/11 "John 11 - The Raising of Lazarus"). Martha's words are a direct response to Jesus's statement in [John 11:23](/john/11-23 "John 11:23 - Jesus tells Martha Lazarus will rise again"), "Your brother will rise again." Having already expressed her sorrow and belief that Jesus could have prevented Lazarus's death in [John 11:21](/john/11-21 "John 11:21 - Martha's initial lament to Jesus"), Martha now articulates her understanding of "rising again" within the framework of conventional Jewish eschatology. Her confession, though true in its own right, highlights the tension between a future hope and Jesus's immediate, present power, preparing the reader for Jesus's revolutionary self-identification as "the resurrection and the life" in [John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus declares 'I am the resurrection and the life'").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Martha's statement reflects a widespread belief among first-century Jews, particularly the Pharisees, in a bodily resurrection at the end of time. This hope was rooted in Old Testament prophecies, such as [Daniel 12:2](/daniel/12-2 "Daniel 12:2 - Prophecy of the resurrection of the dead"), and was a cornerstone of their eschatological expectations, contrasting sharply with the Sadducees who denied any resurrection (cf. [Matthew 22:23](/matthew/22-23 "Matthew 22:23 - The Sadducees question Jesus about the resurrection")). Bethany, the setting for this encounter, was a village near Jerusalem, and the family of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus was known to Jesus, indicating a context of close relationship and shared cultural understanding. Martha's faith, therefore, is not unique but representative of a common, albeit limited, understanding of divine power and future hope.
* **Key Themes:** Martha's confession underscores several key themes within [John's Gospel](/john/1 "The Gospel According to John"). Firstly, it highlights the theme of **faith and understanding**, showing how even devout individuals like Martha could hold true beliefs (in a future resurrection) yet still need their understanding deepened by Jesus's revelation of His immediate, divine authority. Secondly, the phrase "at the last day" emphasizes the **eschatological hope** prevalent in Judaism, a hope that Jesus consistently redefines and fulfills in His person. He is not merely a prophet who points to a future event, but the very embodiment of that future breaking into the present. Finally, this exchange sets up the central theme of **Jesus's identity as the source of life**, contrasting Martha's belief in a future resurrection with Jesus's declaration that He *is* the resurrection, offering life both now and eternally, as further elaborated in [John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus's declaration and the promise of eternal life").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **know (Greek, _eídō'_):** (G1492) This primary verb, often used in the perfect tense to imply knowledge or understanding, signifies Martha's intellectual apprehension and firm conviction. It's not a mere guess or hope, but a settled belief based on accepted theological teaching. She "knows" this truth as a fact, demonstrating her theological orthodoxy regarding the future resurrection.
* **resurrection (Greek, _anástasis'_):** (G386) Derived from _anístēmi_ (G450), meaning "to stand up again," this noun literally denotes a standing up from death, a physical revival. Martha's use of this term indicates her expectation of a bodily resurrection, not merely a spiritual afterlife. It refers to the restoration of life to the deceased, a central tenet of Jewish eschatology.
* **last (Greek, _éschatos'_):** (G2078) A superlative adjective meaning "farthest" or "final," this word, when combined with "day," points to the ultimate culmination of time and history. It refers to the end of the age, the decisive period when God's redemptive plan reaches its climax, including judgment and the general resurrection. Martha's phrase "at the last day" firmly places her hope within this future, eschatological framework.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Martha saith unto him,"**: This opening clause immediately establishes the speaker and the recipient of the statement, situating it within the direct dialogue between Martha and Jesus. It highlights Martha's active participation and her role as a key interlocutor in this significant theological exchange.
* **"I know that he shall rise again"**: Martha expresses a confident and personal conviction ("I know"). Her certainty is not about Jesus's immediate power over death in this specific instance, but about the general principle of resurrection. The phrase "he shall rise again" refers specifically to Lazarus, but within the context of a future, universal event.
* **"in the resurrection at the last day."**: This final clause specifies the timing and nature of Martha's belief. She believes in "the resurrection" (a definite, anticipated event) and places it firmly "at the last day" (the eschatological culmination of history). This demonstrates her adherence to the common Jewish expectation of a general resurrection, a future event that would occur at the end of the age.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices. There is clear **Foreshadowing**, as Martha's statement, while true in its own right, serves as a setup for Jesus's subsequent, more profound revelation about Himself as the Resurrection and the Life. This creates **Dramatic Irony**, where the audience, having witnessed Jesus's previous miracles and knowing His divine identity, understands the deeper implications of Martha's words far more fully than she does at this moment. Her belief in a future, general resurrection is correct, but she is unaware that the very source and embodiment of that future hope stands before her, capable of enacting resurrection in the present. Furthermore, Martha's statement functions as a **Confession** of her faith, albeit a limited one, demonstrating her theological grounding and setting the stage for Jesus to expand and transform her understanding.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Martha's confession articulates a foundational hope shared by many in ancient Israel: the belief in a future bodily resurrection. This hope is deeply rooted in God's faithfulness to His covenant people and His ultimate victory over death and sin. While Martha's understanding is temporally confined to "the last day," her statement provides a crucial theological backdrop for Jesus's radical claim. Jesus does not contradict Martha's belief in a future resurrection; rather, He reveals that He is the *personal embodiment* and *present reality* of that future hope. He is not merely a prophet who can perform a miracle of resurrection, but the very source of life who transcends the boundaries of time and death, bringing the power of the "last day" into the present moment. This elevates the theological understanding from a mere event to a divine person.

* [Daniel 12:2](/daniel/12-2 "Daniel 12:2 - Prophecy of the resurrection of the dead")
* [Acts 24:15](/acts/24-15 "Acts 24:15 - Paul's hope in the resurrection of the just and unjust")
* [1 Corinthians 15:52](/1_corinthians/15-52 "1 Corinthians 15:52 - The resurrection at the last trumpet")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Martha's statement resonates deeply with the human experience of loss and the longing for ultimate hope. Her belief in a future resurrection offers comfort, reminding us that death is not the final word for those who trust in God. It affirms the biblical teaching that there will be a day when all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth ([John 5:28-29](/john/5-28-29 "John 5:28-29 - Jesus speaks of the resurrection of the dead")). However, the profound encounter that follows in [John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus's declaration 'I am the resurrection and the life'") challenges us to move beyond a general, intellectual assent to a future event and embrace a vibrant, personal faith in Jesus Christ as the immediate and present source of life. Our hope is not merely in a future resurrection, but in the One who *is* the resurrection and the life, offering eternal life here and now, and guaranteeing a bodily resurrection for all who believe in Him. This calls us to trust in Jesus's power not just for the distant future, but for every present struggle and sorrow, knowing that He has already conquered death.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Do I view resurrection primarily as a future event, or as a present reality embodied in Jesus Christ?**
* **How does my understanding of Jesus as "the resurrection and the life" impact my response to grief and loss?**
* **In what areas of my life am I waiting for a "last day" solution, when Jesus offers a present solution?**
* **What does it mean for me to have a personal, transformative faith in Jesus, rather than just an intellectual belief about Him?**

### FAQ

**What did Martha mean by "the last day"?**

Answer: Martha's reference to "the last day" (Greek: _eschate hemera_) reflects a common eschatological belief among first-century Jews, particularly the Pharisees. It refers to the culmination of human history and God's redemptive plan, a future time when there would be a general resurrection of the dead, followed by divine judgment and the establishment of God's eternal kingdom. This concept is found in various Old Testament prophecies, such as [Daniel 12:2](/daniel/12-2 "Daniel 12:2 - Prophecy of the resurrection of the dead"), and is also mentioned elsewhere in [John's Gospel](/john/6-39-40 "John 6:39-40 - Jesus's promise of resurrection at the last day") by Jesus Himself, indicating its widespread acceptance. Martha's statement shows her adherence to this orthodox Jewish expectation of a future, final resurrection.

**Did Martha fully understand Jesus's identity when she made this statement?**

Answer: While Martha clearly possessed a strong and orthodox faith in the future resurrection, her understanding of Jesus's immediate power and divine identity was incomplete at this moment. Her statement, "I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day," indicates a belief in a general, future event, not necessarily in Jesus's ability to raise Lazarus *now*. She believed Jesus was a great prophet and healer, capable of preventing death ([John 11:21](/john/11-21 "John 11:21 - Martha's initial lament to Jesus")), but she had not yet grasped that He was the very embodiment of resurrection life, with authority over death in the present. This partial understanding sets the stage for Jesus's profound revelation in [John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus declares 'I am the resurrection, and the life'"), where He challenges her temporal view with the immediate reality of His divine person.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Martha's confession, while accurate in its eschatological hope, finds its ultimate and immediate fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. Her belief in a future resurrection "at the last day" is transcended by Jesus's declaration, "I am the resurrection, and the life" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus declares 'I am the resurrection and the life'")). Jesus is not merely an agent who *performs* resurrection; He *is* the very principle and power of life over death. In Him, the "last day" breaks into the present, demonstrating that the eschatological hope is not just a distant event but a present reality accessible through faith in Him. His own resurrection from the dead is the "firstfruits" of all who will rise ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep")), guaranteeing the future bodily resurrection for all who believe in Him ([John 6:40](/john/6-40 "John 6:40 - Jesus's promise to raise believers at the last day")). Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has conquered death itself, holding "the keys of Hades and of Death" ([Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Jesus holds the keys of death and Hades")), thereby fulfilling Martha's hope not just in a general future event, but in His own sovereign, life-giving power here and now. He is the ultimate answer to humanity's longing for triumph over mortality.

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

Daniel 12:2

And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame [and] everlasting contempt.

Daniel 12:3

And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

Acts 24:15

And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

John 5:28

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

John 5:29

And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

Isaiah 26:19

Thy dead [men] shall live, [together with] my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew [is as] the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

Acts 17:31

Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by [that] man whom he hath ordained; [whereof] he hath given assurance unto all [men], in that he hath raised him from the dead.