John 11:34

KJV

And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} said {G2036}, Where {G4226} have ye laid {G5087} him {G846}? They said {G3004} unto him {G846}, Lord {G2962}, come {G2064} and {G2532} see {G1492}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He said, “Where have you buried him?” They said, “Lord, come and see.”

Berean Standard Bible

“Where have you put him?” He asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they answered.

American Standard Version

and said, Where have ye laid him? They say unto him, Lord, come and see.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 11:34 captures a poignant moment in Jesus's encounter with the grief-stricken sisters of Lazarus, Martha and Mary, just before the miraculous raising of Lazarus from the dead. Jesus, deeply moved by the sorrow surrounding him, asks a direct question about Lazarus's burial place, prompting an immediate invitation from the mourners to "come and see." This exchange underscores Jesus's profound empathy, His active engagement with human suffering, and His deliberate movement towards the very domain of death, setting the stage for a powerful demonstration of His divine authority over life and death.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the dramatic narrative of Lazarus's death and resurrection in [John 11](/john/11 "John 11 - The Raising of Lazarus"). Prior to this, Jesus has arrived in Bethany, four days after Lazarus's death. He has engaged in a profound theological dialogue with Martha, where He declares Himself to be "[the resurrection and the life](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")". Following this, Mary arrives, falls at His feet, and expresses her sorrow, echoing Martha's lament. The sight of Mary and the accompanying Jews weeping deeply affects Jesus, causing Him to be "[deeply moved in spirit and troubled](/john/11-33 "John 11:33 - Jesus's Profound Emotion")" ([John 11:33](/john/11-33 "John 11:33 - Jesus's Profound Emotion")). His question in [John 11:34](/john/11-34 "John 11:34 - Jesus's Question About Lazarus's Tomb") is not born of ignorance, but of a purposeful intent to confront death directly, leading immediately to the tomb and the subsequent miracle.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish burial customs are critical to understanding this scene. Bodies were typically washed, anointed, wrapped in linen cloths, and buried on the same day as death, often in rock-hewn tombs or caves. The deceased would be laid on a shelf or in a niche. Mourning periods were intense, lasting seven days (the *shiva*), with professional mourners often hired, as evidenced by the crowd weeping with Mary. The fact that Lazarus had been dead for four days ([John 11:17](/john/11-17 "John 11:17 - Lazarus Dead for Four Days")) was significant, as it was widely believed that the soul lingered near the body for three days, but by the fourth day, decomposition would have begun, removing any doubt of actual death. This cultural belief amplifies the magnitude of the miracle Jesus is about to perform, as it explicitly counters any natural explanation.

* **Key Themes:** [John 11:34](/john/11-34 "John 11:34 - Jesus's Question About Lazarus's Tomb") powerfully contributes to several key themes within the Gospel of John and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Jesus's profound humanity and empathy**. Despite His divine power and foreknowledge, He enters fully into the human experience of grief and sorrow, demonstrating a compassionate identification with suffering humanity. Secondly, it underscores **Jesus's active confrontation with death**. His direct question and subsequent journey to the tomb are not passive observations but deliberate steps to challenge death's finality. This sets the stage for the ultimate demonstration of His **authority over life and death**, a central theme in John's Gospel, where Jesus repeatedly claims to be the source of life ([John 5:21](/john/5-21 "John 5:21 - The Son Gives Life"), [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). The entire narrative of [Lazarus's resurrection](/john/11 "John 11 - The Raising of Lazarus") serves as a climactic "sign" (as John calls miracles) pointing to Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, and the one who grants eternal life.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **said (Greek, _épō'_):** This verb (G2036) is a primary verb, often used in definite past tenses, meaning "to speak or say (by word or writing)." In this context, it denotes Jesus's direct, verbal inquiry, indicating a clear and intentional communication. It's not a casual remark but a purposeful question designed to elicit a specific response and guide the action.
* **laid (Greek, _títhēmi'_):** This verb (G5087) means "to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture)." Here, it refers specifically to the act of placing Lazarus's body in the tomb. The choice of this word emphasizes the finality of death and burial from a human perspective, contrasting with Jesus's impending action that will defy such finality.
* **see (Greek, _eídō'_):** This primary verb (G1492) means "to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know." In the response "come and see," it is an imperative, inviting Jesus to physically observe the tomb. For the mourners, it's an invitation to witness their sorrow and the reality of death; for Jesus, it's an invitation to demonstrate His power and reveal His glory.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And said, "Where have ye laid him?"":** This is Jesus's direct inquiry. It is not a question born of ignorance, as Jesus already knew Lazarus was dead and where he was buried (He had even told His disciples Lazarus was "asleep" and He was going to "wake him up" in [John 11:11](/john/11-11 "John 11:11 - Jesus Speaks of Lazarus's Sleep")). Instead, it is a purposeful question designed to initiate the journey to the tomb. It serves to draw the mourners, and indeed the reader, into the physical reality of death and the place where it has exerted its power, preparing them for the astounding miracle to follow. It also demonstrates Jesus's compassionate engagement with their grief, acknowledging their loss and the physical location of their sorrow.
* **"They said unto him, Lord, come and see.":** This is the immediate and direct response from the mourners, likely Mary, Martha, or others present. Their address of "Lord" (Greek, *Kyrios*) acknowledges His authority and respect. The imperative "come and see" is an invitation to witness the stark reality of death, perhaps with a faint, unspoken hope that His presence might somehow alleviate their pain, or simply as an obedient leading to the site of their deepest sorrow. It sets the stage for Jesus's physical presence at the tomb, the very place where His power over death will be dramatically displayed.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices. **Interrogatio** (a rhetorical question) is evident in Jesus's inquiry, "Where have ye laid him?" While it appears to be a genuine question, it functions more as a strategic rhetorical device to prompt action and guide the narrative towards the tomb, rather than seeking information Jesus lacks. This creates **Anticipation**, building suspense as the characters, and the reader, are led to the place of death, knowing that Jesus, the "resurrection and the life," is about to act. There is also an element of **Dramatic Irony** at play; the mourners invite Jesus to "come and see" the finality of death, unaware that He is coming not merely to observe, but to conquer it. Their invitation to "see" the grave will culminate in them "seeing" the glory of God through Lazarus's resurrection. Finally, the act of going to the tomb itself carries **Symbolism**, representing Jesus's willingness to descend into the depths of human despair and the very stronghold of death, to demonstrate His ultimate victory.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 11:34 is a profound testament to the dual nature of Christ: fully God and fully man. His question, "Where have ye laid him?", reveals His deep empathy and willingness to enter into the raw, painful reality of human grief, even though He possesses divine foreknowledge and power. This is not a detached, all-knowing deity, but a compassionate Savior who identifies with our suffering. Yet, this human compassion is inextricably linked to His divine mission. His journey to the tomb is a deliberate act of confrontation, setting the stage for Him to manifest His glory and demonstrate His absolute authority over death, fulfilling His earlier declaration to Martha that He is "[the resurrection and the life](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")". This verse, therefore, bridges the gap between human sorrow and divine power, showing that God meets us in our deepest pain with the promise of ultimate victory.

* [John 11:35](/john/11-35 "John 11:35 - Jesus Wept")
* [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus Understands Our Weaknesses")
* [Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Jesus Holds the Keys of Death and Hades")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 11:34 offers a powerful model for how believers are called to engage with suffering and loss in the world. Jesus does not offer platitudes or intellectualized comfort from a distance; He asks a direct, empathetic question that leads Him to the very heart of the pain—the tomb. This teaches us the profound importance of embodied compassion: being present with those who grieve, asking caring questions, and being willing to "come and see" their sorrow, rather than offering quick fixes or avoiding discomfort. Our faith does not negate the reality of death, sickness, or despair, but rather confronts it head-on, bringing the hope of Christ's resurrection into the darkest places. We are called to meet people where they are, in their mess and their pain, just as Jesus met Mary and Martha. Furthermore, this passage reminds us that our deepest sorrows are not hidden from God; He sees them, He is moved by them, and He has the power to intervene and bring life even where death seems to have the final word. It encourages us to bring our own "tombs"—our deepest losses, disappointments, and seemingly hopeless situations—before the Lord, trusting in His compassionate presence and His ultimate authority.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus's question, "Where have ye laid him?", challenge our tendency to offer detached advice instead of empathetic presence to those who are suffering?**
* **In what "tombs" of your life or the lives of those around you do you need to invite Jesus to "come and see"?**
* **How does Jesus's willingness to confront the physical reality of death encourage you to face difficult truths or painful circumstances in your own life with faith?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus ask "Where have ye laid him?" if He already knew Lazarus was dead and where he was buried?**
Answer: Jesus's question was not born of ignorance but of intentionality. As the Son of God, He possessed divine knowledge and had already told His disciples that Lazarus was "asleep" and He was going to "wake him up" ([John 11:11](/john/11-11 "John 11:11 - Jesus Speaks of Lazarus's Sleep")). His inquiry served several purposes: firstly, it was an act of profound empathy, engaging directly with the mourners' grief and acknowledging their loss. Secondly, it was a practical step to initiate the procession to the tomb, gathering all witnesses to the site where His power would be displayed. Thirdly, it underscored the physical reality of Lazarus's death and burial, removing any doubt about the miracle that was about to occur. It was a deliberate move to confront death in its own domain.

**What is the significance of the mourners' response, "Lord, come and see"?**
Answer: The response "Lord, come and see" ([John 11:34](/john/11-34 "John 11:34 - Jesus's Question About Lazarus's Tomb")) is an immediate and direct invitation, reflecting both respect for Jesus (addressing Him as "Lord") and a raw exposure of their sorrow. It is an invitation to witness the stark, undeniable reality of death and the profound grief it caused. While they likely had no expectation of a resurrection at that moment, their invitation drew Jesus into their lived experience of loss, setting the stage for Him to reveal His glory precisely where humanity felt most helpless. It mirrors a similar invitation in [John 1:39](/john/1-39 "John 1:39 - Come and See"), where Jesus invites His first disciples to "come and see" where He was staying, implying an invitation to deeper revelation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 11:34, with Jesus's compassionate inquiry and the mourners' invitation to "come and see" the tomb, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus as the one who conquers death itself. This scene foreshadows Jesus's own journey to the grave and His glorious triumph over it. Just as Jesus went to Lazarus's tomb, He Himself would be laid in a tomb, experiencing the full reality of human death ([Matthew 27:57-60](/matthew/27-57-60 "Matthew 27:57-60 - Jesus's Burial")). However, unlike Lazarus, Jesus would not be called out by another; He would burst forth from the grave by His own divine power, demonstrating that He truly is "[the resurrection and the life](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")" for all who believe. His question, "Where have ye laid him?", resonates with His ultimate authority over the grave, as He holds "[the keys of death and Hades](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Jesus Holds the Keys of Death and Hades")" ([Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Jesus Holds the Keys of Death and Hades")). The invitation to "come and see" the place of death is transformed by Christ's resurrection into an invitation to "come and see" the empty tomb ([Mark 16:6](/mark/16-6 "Mark 16:6 - The Empty Tomb")), the irrefutable proof of His victory. Thus, this verse points us to the crucified and risen Christ, who not only empathizes with our sorrow but has decisively overcome its ultimate source, offering eternal life to all who trust in Him ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World")).

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

Mark 16:6

And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.

John 1:39

He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.

Mark 15:47

And Mary Magdalene and Mary [the mother] of Joses beheld where he was laid.

John 20:2

Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.

Matthew 28:6

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.