John 11:44

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he that was dead {G2348} came forth {G1831}, bound {G1210} hand {G5495} and {G2532} foot {G4228} with graveclothes {G2750}: and {G2532} his {G846} face {G3799} was bound about {G4019} with a napkin {G4676}. Jesus {G2424} saith {G3004} unto them {G846}, Loose {G3089} him {G846}, and {G2532} let him {G863} go {G5217}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The man who had been dead came out, his hands and feet wrapped in strips of linen and his face covered with a cloth. Yeshua said to them, “Unwrap him, and let him go!”

Berean Standard Bible

The man who had been dead came out with his hands and feet bound in strips of linen, and his face wrapped in a cloth. “Unwrap him and let him go,” Jesus told them.

American Standard Version

He that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave-clothes; and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 11:44 vividly portrays the climactic moment of Lazarus's resurrection, as he emerges from the tomb still bound by the linen graveclothes and a napkin covering his face. This verse captures the immediate aftermath of Jesus's powerful command for Lazarus to come forth, culminating in Jesus's subsequent instruction to the bystanders to "Loose him, and let him go," thereby signifying not only the restoration of physical life but also the imperative for complete liberation from the remnants of death.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the dramatic culmination of the narrative in [John 11](/john/11 "John 11 - The Resurrection of Lazarus"), which details Jesus's most profound public miracle: the raising of Lazarus from the dead. It follows directly after Jesus's powerful, authoritative cry, "[Lazarus, come forth!](/john/11-43 "John 11:43 - Jesus Calls Lazarus Forth")" The preceding verses establish Jesus's intentional delay in coming to Bethany, allowing Lazarus to die and be buried for four days, thus eliminating any doubt that his death was real and irreversible ([John 11:17](/john/11-17 "John 11:17 - Lazarus Dead for Four Days")). Jesus's profound theological declarations to Martha, particularly "[I am the resurrection and the life](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")," set the stage for this tangible demonstration of His divine power over death itself. The act of unbinding Lazarus, performed by human hands, serves as a crucial postlude to the divine miracle, emphasizing the practical implications of new life.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish burial customs involved wrapping the deceased in linen strips, often treated with spices, and covering the face with a separate cloth or "napkin." This process was meticulous and designed to prepare the body for burial, not for easy removal. Lazarus emerging still bound by these graveclothes would have been a startling and undeniable confirmation of his prior state of death, as well as the miraculous nature of his reanimation. The command to "loose him" would have required the onlookers to physically unwrap the body, a task that would have been emotionally charged and physically demanding, given the typical rigidity of a corpse after four days. This public act of unbinding not only confirmed the miracle to the witnesses but also involved them directly in the process of Lazarus's full restoration to society and life.
* **Key Themes:** John 11:44 powerfully reinforces several central themes within the Gospel of John and broader biblical theology. Foremost is **Jesus's Absolute Sovereignty Over Life and Death**, demonstrating His divine authority as the source of life, even over the most final human experience. Another key theme is **The Nature of True Resurrection and Freedom**. Lazarus is brought back to life, but his continued binding in graveclothes symbolizes that new life, whether physical or spiritual, requires a complete shedding of the remnants of the old. Jesus's command to "loose him" underscores the theme of **Liberation from Bondage**, whether from physical death, sin, or the limitations of a past existence. Finally, the involvement of the bystanders in unbinding Lazarus highlights the theme of **Human Participation in God's Redemptive Work**, where divine power initiates the miracle, but human cooperation is often required to facilitate its full realization and practical application in the world, as seen in the ongoing mission of the church to set people free through the gospel ([Luke 4:18](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18 - Jesus's Mission Statement")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **dead (Greek, _thnḗskō'_):** This verb signifies the state of being deceased, literally or figuratively. In [John 11:44](/john/11-44 "John 11:44 - Lazarus Raised"), it unequivocally refers to Lazarus's physical death, which had been confirmed by his burial and the four-day decomposition. The use of this word emphasizes the undeniable reality of his prior state, making his emergence all the more miraculous.
* **bound (Greek, _déō'_):** This word means to tie, bind, or be in bonds, applicable both literally and figuratively. Here, it describes Lazarus's physical state, wrapped tightly in graveclothes, unable to move freely. This binding represents the limitations and constraints of death, from which he has been miraculously freed by Jesus's call, yet still physically restrained.
* **Loose (Greek, _lýō'_):** The primary verb here means to "loosen," "break up," "destroy," or "dissolve." It is the direct antithesis of `déō`. Jesus's command to "loose him" is a powerful imperative, signifying the complete removal of all remaining physical and symbolic bonds of death, allowing Lazarus to fully re-enter life and freedom.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he that was dead came forth,"**: This clause dramatically announces the success of Jesus's command in [John 11:43](/john/11-43 "John 11:43 - Lazarus, Come Forth!"). The one who was undeniably dead, and had been for four days, now miraculously emerges from the tomb, a living testament to Jesus's power. This is the divine act of reanimation.
* **"bound hand and foot with graveclothes:"**: Despite being alive, Lazarus is still physically constrained by the burial cloths. This detail underscores the reality of his prior death and burial, as well as the incomplete nature of his immediate physical freedom. He is alive, but not yet fully liberated to move and function normally. The graveclothes serve as a stark visual reminder of what he has just been delivered from.
* **"and his face was bound about with a napkin."**: This further detail emphasizes the thoroughness of the burial preparation and Lazarus's complete encapsulation by the trappings of death. The napkin over his face would have obscured his vision and identity, serving as a final barrier to his full re-entry into the world of the living. This also provides a subtle contrast to Jesus's own resurrection, where the napkin was found neatly folded, indicating an orderly and complete departure from the tomb ([John 20:7](/john/20-7 "John 20:7 - The Folded Napkin in the Tomb")).
* **"Jesus saith unto them, 'Loose him, and let him go.'"**: This is Jesus's final command, shifting the responsibility from Himself to the bystanders. Having performed the miracle of life, Jesus now delegates the practical task of liberation. This command signifies that the new life granted must be accompanied by the removal of all lingering bonds, allowing the resurrected one to walk in complete freedom. It also involves the community in the process of restoration.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices. **Contrast** is central, juxtaposing the state of death and binding with the power of life and liberation. Lazarus's emergence, still wrapped in graveclothes, creates a striking visual **Irony**: he is alive, yet still appears dead. This visual serves as powerful **Symbolism**, where the graveclothes represent not only the physical remnants of death but also the spiritual "old self" or the lingering effects of sin and bondage that can still cling even after new life is granted. Jesus's command to "Loose him, and let him go" functions as a **Climax** to the miracle, signifying the complete and practical application of the new life, moving from divine intervention to human participation in the process of full restoration.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 11:44 profoundly illustrates Jesus's unparalleled authority over death, serving as a tangible demonstration of His earlier declaration, "[I am the resurrection and the life](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")." Beyond the physical miracle, the verse carries deep theological weight concerning the nature of salvation and spiritual freedom. While God's power initiates new life (spiritual resurrection from sin), there is a subsequent, ongoing process of shedding the "graveclothes" of the old life—sinful habits, past hurts, or limiting beliefs. Jesus's command to "loose him" implies that the community of faith, empowered by Christ, has a role in helping others walk in the full freedom that new life in Christ provides. This passage teaches that divine grace brings us to life, but human cooperation and community support are often vital for complete liberation and flourishing.

* [John 5:28-29](/john/5-28-29 "John 5:28-29 - The Hour is Coming When All in the Tombs Will Hear His Voice")
* [Ephesians 2:1-5](/ephesians/2-1-5 "Ephesians 2:1-5 - Made Alive in Christ")
* [Colossians 2:13-15](/colossians/2-13-15 "Colossians 2:13-15 - Freed from the Power of Darkness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 11:44 offers a profound spiritual mirror for every believer. Just as Lazarus was called forth from physical death, we are called out of spiritual death into a vibrant, new life in Christ ([Ephesians 2:1](/ephesians/2-1 "Ephesians 2:1 - Dead in Trespasses and Sins")). However, the image of Lazarus still bound by graveclothes reminds us that even after receiving salvation, we may still carry remnants of our old life—patterns of sin, limiting beliefs, or emotional wounds that hinder our complete freedom and flourishing in Christ. Jesus's command, "Loose him, and let him go," is a powerful call to action for both ourselves and the believing community. It urges us to actively shed those spiritual graveclothes, to allow the Holy Spirit to unbind us from anything that restricts our walk in newness of life. This process often requires intentional discipleship, confession, forgiveness, and the loving support of fellow believers, enabling us to truly "go" and live fully in the liberty Christ has secured for us ([Galatians 5:1](/galatians/5-1 "Galatians 5:1 - Stand Firm in Freedom")).

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "graveclothes" from your past or old self might still be binding you, even after experiencing new life in Christ?**
* **How can you actively participate in the process of "unbinding" yourself from these spiritual limitations?**
* **In what ways can you, as part of the believing community, help "loose" others who are struggling to find complete freedom in Christ?**
* **What does it mean to "let go" in your spiritual journey, trusting God with areas you've held onto?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus tell others to unbind Lazarus instead of doing it Himself?**

Answer: While Jesus performed the ultimate miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead, His instruction to the bystanders to "Loose him, and let him go" highlights several important principles. First, it involved the witnesses directly in the miracle, making it undeniable and tangible for them. They had to physically interact with the reanimated body, confirming its reality. Second, it illustrates a recurring biblical pattern: God performs the supernatural, but often involves human agents in the practical, earthly outworking of His work. Jesus brought Lazarus back to life, but the community was responsible for his full integration back into society and freedom from the trappings of death. Spiritually, it signifies that while salvation is God's work, the ongoing process of sanctification and liberation from sin often involves human effort and community support.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 11:44, with its vivid depiction of Lazarus emerging from the tomb, bound yet alive, and Jesus's subsequent command to "Loose him, and let him go," finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus Himself and the new life He offers. Jesus is the ultimate "Resurrection and the Life," not merely one who can raise others, but the very source and embodiment of life ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")). His own resurrection from the dead, unlike Lazarus's, was a permanent triumph over death, signaling the inauguration of a new creation. While Lazarus was raised to mortal life, Jesus was raised to immortal, glorified life, becoming the "firstfruits of those who are asleep" ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ, the Firstfruits")). The graveclothes that bound Lazarus symbolize the bondage of sin and death that holds humanity captive. Jesus, through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, has utterly defeated these powers, offering true spiritual liberation to all who believe. His command to "loose him" foreshadows the glorious freedom from the law of sin and death that believers experience through the Spirit ([Romans 8:2](/romans/8-2 "Romans 8:2 - The Law of the Spirit of Life")) and the call to walk in the "newness of life" that His resurrection provides ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Newness of Life")). Thus, Lazarus's unbinding prefigures the complete spiritual freedom and restoration that Christ Himself secures for His people, enabling them to truly "go" and live lives of purpose and liberty in Him.

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 5:25

Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

John 20:7

And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.

John 11:25

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

John 11:26

And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Philippians 3:21

Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

1 Samuel 2:6

The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.

John 5:21

For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth [them]; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.