John 11:3

KJV

Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore {G3767} his sisters {G79} sent {G649} unto {G4314} him {G846}, saying {G3004}, Lord {G2962}, behold {G2396}, he whom {G3739} thou lovest {G5368} is sick {G770}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So the sisters sent a message to Yeshua, “Lord, the man you love is sick.”

Berean Standard Bible

So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one You love is sick.”

American Standard Version

The sisters therefore sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 11:3 presents the urgent plea of Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus, to Jesus. From their home in Bethany, they dispatch a message to Him, stating simply yet profoundly, "Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick." This concise declaration sets the stage for one of Jesus's most dramatic miracles, underscoring the deep personal bond He shared with this family and their implicit trust in His power and compassion, even in the face of grave illness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the immediate precursor to the climactic narrative of Lazarus's death and resurrection in [John 11](/john/11 "John 11 - The Resurrection of Lazarus"). Following Jesus's withdrawal to Perea after escalating tensions in Jerusalem (as recounted in [John 10:39-40](/john/10-39-40 "John 10:39-40 - Jesus Withdraws to Perea")), the sisters' message interrupts His teaching ministry. The urgency of their communication highlights the severity of Lazarus's condition, prompting Jesus to eventually return to Judea, despite the known dangers. The entire chapter builds from this initial plea, demonstrating Jesus's sovereignty over life and death and His ultimate purpose in glorifying God, as He states in [John 11:4](/john/11-4 "John 11:4 - Sickness for God's Glory").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Bethany, the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, was a village situated just two miles east of Jerusalem, making it a frequent stop for pilgrims and a place Jesus often visited for rest and fellowship. The practice of sending messengers (often trusted servants or friends) to convey urgent news was common in the ancient world, especially when the recipient was at a distance. The sisters' decision to send a message rather than travel themselves suggests the immediacy of Lazarus's illness, rendering them unable to leave his side. Their address to Jesus as "Lord" (κύριος, _kýrios_) reflects both a respectful title and an acknowledgment of His divine authority and power, a common understanding among His disciples and close followers.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme introduced here is the profound **love and friendship of Jesus**. The sisters' appeal, "he whom thou lovest," immediately establishes the intimate relationship Jesus shared with Lazarus, setting it apart from His general love for humanity. This specific bond is further emphasized later in the narrative (e.g., [John 11:5](/john/11-5 "John 11:5 - Jesus's Love for Mary, Martha, and Lazarus")). Another key theme is **human vulnerability and divine intervention**. The sisters' distress underscores the reality of sickness and death in the human experience, while their act of sending for Jesus demonstrates their faith in His ability to intervene. This episode also subtly introduces the theme of **God's glory revealed through suffering**, as Jesus later explains that Lazarus's sickness is "for the glory of God" ([John 11:4](/john/11-4 "John 11:4 - Sickness for God's Glory")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sent (Greek, _apostéllō'_):** This verb, G649, means "to send out, properly, on a mission." The use of _apostéllō_ here suggests a deliberate dispatching of messengers with a specific purpose, highlighting the sisters' intentional act of conveying their urgent need to Jesus. It implies a sense of official communication, not merely a casual message.
* **lovest (Greek, _philéō'_):** G5368, _philéō_, denotes a strong affection, friendship, or fondness, emphasizing personal attachment and sentiment. While distinct from _agapáō_ (divine, unconditional love), its use here underscores the deep, reciprocal bond of friendship Jesus shared with Lazarus. It highlights the human dimension of Jesus's relationships, demonstrating His capacity for intimate, personal affection.
* **sick (Greek, _asthenéō'_):** G770, _asthenéō_, means "to be feeble in any sense," encompassing physical weakness, illness, or even impotence. In this context, it directly refers to Lazarus's grave physical ailment, which, as the narrative unfolds, quickly progresses to death. The simplicity of the word belies the profound crisis it represents for the family and the extraordinary divine response it will elicit.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore his sisters sent unto him":** This opening clause directly connects to the preceding context, implying that Jesus's location (beyond the Jordan, [John 10:40](/john/10-40 "John 10:40 - Jesus Beyond the Jordan")) necessitated a message rather than a personal visit from the sisters. The act of "sending" underscores the urgency and the family's reliance on Jesus. Mary and Martha, as the primary caregivers, take the initiative to reach out to their revered friend.
* **"saying, Lord, behold,":** The sisters' address "Lord" (κύριος, _kýrios_) signifies their profound respect and acknowledgment of Jesus's authority and divine power. The interjection "behold" (ἴδε, _íde_) serves to draw Jesus's immediate attention to the gravity of the situation, conveying a sense of urgency and perhaps even a plea for Him to witness the dire circumstances for Himself. It's a call to observe, to take notice.
* **"he whom thou lovest is sick.":** This is the core of their message. Instead of explicitly asking for Jesus to come or to heal, they appeal directly to His known affection for Lazarus. This phrasing is powerful in its simplicity and trust. It assumes that Jesus's love for Lazarus will naturally compel Him to respond, implying a deep understanding of Jesus's character and compassion. The word "sick" (ἀσθενέω, _asthenéō_) here serves as an understatement, as the illness is rapidly progressing to death, setting up the dramatic tension of the ensuing narrative.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs **Pathos**, appealing to Jesus's emotions and known affection for Lazarus. The sisters do not command or demand; instead, their message is a heartfelt, vulnerable appeal grounded in the shared bond of love, trusting that this love will elicit a compassionate response. There is also significant **Foreshadowing** at play. The simple declaration "is sick" subtly hints at the greater crisis of death that will soon follow, preparing the reader for the extraordinary miracle that will demonstrate Jesus's power over life and death. Furthermore, a subtle **Understatement** is present in the word "sick," as Lazarus's condition is far more critical than the general term implies, leading to his death and setting the stage for Jesus's ultimate display of glory.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 11:3 profoundly illustrates the personal and relational nature of God, as revealed in Jesus Christ. It shows that our Lord is not a distant, unfeeling deity, but one who cultivates deep friendships and is intimately aware of the suffering of those He loves. The sisters' simple, yet powerful, appeal to Jesus's love for Lazarus serves as a model for how believers can approach God with their needs, not based on their own merit, but on the unwavering love and compassion of Christ. This verse sets the stage for a demonstration of divine power that transcends human understanding, ultimately revealing God's glory through what appears to be a tragic circumstance. It reassures us that even in our deepest vulnerabilities and most desperate situations, we can turn to the One who loves us with an enduring and active affection.

* [John 11:5](/john/11-5 "John 11:5 - Jesus's Love for Mary, Martha, and Lazarus")
* [John 13:23](/john/13-23 "John 13:23 - The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved")
* [Matthew 9:36](/matthew/9-36 "Matthew 9:36 - Jesus's Compassion for the Crowds")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 11:3 offers a powerful invitation to bring our most pressing needs and deepest sorrows directly to Jesus. The sisters' message, devoid of demands or specific requests, simply states the reality of their loved one's suffering, appealing to Jesus's known love. This teaches us that our prayers do not need to be elaborate or manipulative; rather, they can be a simple, honest expression of our vulnerability and trust in His character. When we face sickness, loss, or any form of distress, we are encouraged to lay it before the Lord, confident in His profound compassion and personal affection for us. Just as Jesus loved Lazarus, He loves each of us individually, and He cares deeply about our circumstances. This verse reminds us that even when God's response is not immediate, or when His plan unfolds in ways we do not expect, His ultimate purpose is always for His glory and our good, often through the very trials we face. We are called to rest in His love, even when the outcome is uncertain.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the sisters' simple appeal to Jesus's love for Lazarus encourage you in your own prayer life?**
* **In what areas of your life are you currently experiencing "sickness" or weakness, and how can you bring these to Jesus, trusting in His personal love for you?**
* **What does this verse teach you about the nature of Jesus's relationships and His capacity for deep, personal affection?**

### FAQ
**Why did Mary and Martha only say "he whom thou lovest is sick" and not explicitly ask Jesus to come or heal Lazarus?**

Answer: The sisters' message, "Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick," is a profound expression of trust and an implicit plea for intervention, rather than an explicit command. By appealing to Jesus's known affection for Lazarus, they were relying on their understanding of His character and compassion. They believed that His love for their brother would naturally compel Him to act, without needing to dictate the specific action. This approach demonstrates a deep faith in Jesus's wisdom and power, trusting that He would know the best way to respond to the dire situation, whether by healing from a distance or by coming in person. It highlights a relationship built on intimacy and confidence, rather than on transactional demands.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 11:3, with its poignant appeal to Jesus's love for Lazarus, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the broader narrative of God's redemptive love for humanity. Just as Jesus had a particular, personal affection for Lazarus, His love for all humanity is the driving force behind His entire mission. The sickness of Lazarus, leading to death, foreshadows the universal human condition of spiritual sickness and death due to sin ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). Jesus, the [Good Shepherd](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd"), does not remain distant from His beloved flock in their suffering. His response to Lazarus's plight—culminating in the resurrection—is a powerful prefigurement of His own ultimate victory over death through His crucifixion and resurrection ([1 Corinthians 15:20-22](/1_corinthians/15-20-22 "1 Corinthians 15:20-22 - Christ's Resurrection, the Firstfruits")). The love that compelled Jesus to weep at Lazarus's tomb ([John 11:35](/john/11-35 "John 11:35 - Jesus Wept")) is the same divine love that led Him to the cross to conquer sin and death for all who believe ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). Thus, Lazarus's sickness and Jesus's loving response point to Christ as the one who fully empathizes with our human frailty and has provided the ultimate cure for our spiritual malady, offering eternal life to all whom the Father loves and gives to Him ([John 6:37-40](/john/6-37-40 "John 6:37-40 - All Whom the Father Gives Will Come to Jesus")).

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 11:5

Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.

Revelation 3:19

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Psalms 16:3

[But] to the saints that [are] in the earth, and [to] the excellent, in whom [is] all my delight.

John 11:36

Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

2 Timothy 4:20

Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.

John 13:23

Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.

John 11:11

These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.