John 11:27

She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

She saith {G3004} unto him {G846}, Yea {G3483}, Lord {G2962}: I {G1473} believe {G4100} that {G3754} thou {G4771} art {G1488} the Christ {G5547}, the Son {G5207} of God {G2316}, which {G3588} should come {G2064} into {G1519} the world {G2889}.

She said to him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.”

“Yes, Lord,” she answered, “I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”

She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I have believed that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, even he that cometh into the world.

Commentary

John 11:27 captures a pivotal moment in Martha's spiritual journey, showcasing her profound faith amidst deep sorrow. After Jesus' powerful declaration, "I am the resurrection, and the life" (John 11:25), Martha responds with a clear and unwavering confession of faith in Him.

Context

This verse is set against the backdrop of Lazarus's death and Jesus' arrival in Bethany. Martha and Mary, Lazarus's sisters, are grieving, and their initial reaction to Jesus' delayed arrival is one of disappointment. Jesus engages Martha in a theological discussion, moving beyond her immediate grief to a deeper understanding of who He is. Her confession here is not merely an emotional outburst but a theological statement, acknowledging Jesus' divine authority and His role in God's plan for salvation, even before the miraculous resurrection of Lazarus.

Key Themes

  • Profound Faith Amidst Adversity: Despite her brother's death and her initial lament, Martha demonstrates an extraordinary faith. She believes in Jesus' power and identity even when circumstances seem hopeless. This confession is a testament to her trust in Jesus beyond just His ability to heal.
  • The Identity of Jesus: Martha's declaration encompasses three crucial aspects of Jesus' identity:
    • "Thou art the Christ": This is a direct affirmation that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah (Hebrew: Mashiach; Greek: Christos), the anointed one prophesied throughout the Old Testament to deliver Israel and establish God's kingdom. This echoes Peter's confession in Matthew 16:16.
    • "the Son of God": This title emphasizes Jesus' divine nature, His unique relationship with God the Father, and His inherent authority. It points to His deity, distinguishing Him from mere prophets or teachers.
    • "which should come into the world": This phrase reflects the common Jewish expectation of the Messiah's advent, acknowledging Jesus as the fulfillment of prophetic promises and the one sent by God to humanity. This aligns with the broader theme of Jesus being the light and life sent into the world, as seen in John 3:16.
  • The Foundation of Christian Belief: Martha's confession encapsulates the core of Christian faith: belief in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, who came into the world for salvation. It serves as a foundational declaration for all who follow Him.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "Christ" is Christos (Χριστός), which directly translates to "Anointed One" or "Messiah." Martha's use of this title, combined with "Son of God," signifies a deep theological understanding and acceptance of Jesus' unique role and divine authority. The phrase "which should come into the world" (ὁ ἐρχόμενος εἰς τὸν κόσμον, ho erchomenos eis ton kosmon) was a recognized messianic designation, signifying the one whose arrival was expected and prophesied.

Practical Application

Martha's confession serves as a powerful model for believers today. It teaches us that true faith is not merely intellectual assent but a personal conviction that Jesus is indeed the Christ, the Son of God, and our only hope. Even in moments of profound grief, doubt, or uncertainty, our anchor remains in the unwavering truth of Jesus' identity and His power over life and death. Her example encourages us to voice our faith boldly and to trust in Jesus' sovereignty even when we do not fully understand His timing or methods.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

  • Matthew 16:16

    And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
  • John 6:69

    And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
  • John 6:14

    Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.
  • Malachi 3:1

    ¶ Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.
  • 1 John 5:1

    ¶ Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
  • John 9:36

    He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?
  • John 9:38

    And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.
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