John 11:45

KJV

¶ Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G3767} many {G4183} of {G1537} the Jews {G2453} which {G3588} came {G2064} to {G4314} Mary {G3137}, and {G2532} had seen {G2300} the things which {G3739} Jesus {G2424} did {G4160}, believed {G4100} on {G1519} him {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

At this, many of the Judeans who had come to visit Miryam, and had seen what Yeshua had done, trusted in him.

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in Him.

American Standard Version

Many therefore of the Jews, who came to Mary and beheld that which he did, believed on him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 11:45 marks a pivotal turning point in Jesus's ministry, immediately following the miraculous resurrection of Lazarus. This verse records the profound and immediate impact of this undeniable display of divine power, as a significant number of Jewish individuals who had come to mourn with Mary, having personally witnessed Jesus's astonishing deed, were moved to place their faith in Him. It highlights the direct correlation between witnessing God's revelatory acts and the human response of belief.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climax of the Lazarus narrative, which spans the entirety of [John 11](/john/11 "John 11 - The Resurrection of Lazarus"). The preceding verses detail Lazarus's illness, death, Jesus's delayed arrival, the sisters' grief, Jesus's profound empathy as He [wept](/john/11-35 "John 11:35 - Jesus Wept"), and the dramatic command that called Lazarus forth from the tomb after four days ([John 11:43-44](/john/11-43-44 "John 11:43-44 - Jesus Calls Lazarus Forth")). The public nature of the miracle, performed before a crowd of mourners, sets the stage for the collective response recorded in verse 45. This immediate aftermath is crucial, as the miracle's undeniable nature forces a decision: either to believe in Jesus as the Son of God or to actively oppose Him, a tension that escalates in the subsequent verses ([John 11:46-53](/john/11-46-53 "John 11:46-53 - The Plot to Kill Jesus")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Bethany, a village near Jerusalem, where Lazarus, Mary, and Martha lived. Jewish mourning customs of the time involved a seven-day period of intense grief, often accompanied by many visitors, including professional mourners. The presence of "many of the Jews" indicates a substantial gathering, making the resurrection of Lazarus a highly public event. For a body to be in the tomb for four days meant decomposition had begun, making the miracle undeniable by natural means and thus profoundly impactful. The religious leaders of the day, particularly the Pharisees and Sadducees, were increasingly hostile toward Jesus, viewing His growing popularity and miraculous signs as a threat to their authority and to the established order under Roman rule. This public display of power would inevitably force their hand.
* **Key Themes:** The central themes converging in [John 11:45](/john/11-45 "John 11:45 - Many Jews Believe") are the **irrefutable power and authority of Jesus over life and death**, and the **nature of belief** as a response to divine revelation. Jesus's declaration, "[I am the resurrection, and the life](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")," is powerfully validated by Lazarus's return. The verse underscores that genuine faith can be born from direct, undeniable evidence of God's work through Jesus. It also highlights the **divided response to Jesus**, as not all who witnessed the miracle believed, foreshadowing the escalating conflict that would lead to Jesus's crucifixion. The purpose of John's Gospel, as stated later in [John 20:30-31](/john/20-30-31 "John 20:30-31 - The Purpose of John's Signs"), is to present these "signs" so that readers "may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **many (Greek, _polýs_):** This word indicates a significant number, implying that the impact of Lazarus's resurrection was widespread among the mourners present. It suggests a substantial group, not just a few isolated individuals, were persuaded by the miracle. This contrasts with the reaction of others who would report Jesus to the Pharisees ([John 11:46](/john/11-46 "John 11:46 - Some Report to Pharisees")).
* **had seen (Greek, _theáomai_):** This verb denotes a careful, deliberate, and often astonished observation, beyond mere casual glance. It emphasizes that these individuals were not just present, but they intently witnessed "the things which Jesus did." Their belief was not based on hearsay but on direct, personal experience of Jesus's power.
* **believed (Greek, _pisteúō_):** This is a crucial term in John's Gospel, signifying more than intellectual assent. It implies a deep, active trust, reliance, and commitment "into" or "unto" Jesus (indicated by the preposition _eis_). It means to put one's full confidence in Jesus, entrusting one's spiritual well-being to Him, and accepting Him as the Christ, the Son of God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then many of the Jews which came to Mary":** This phrase establishes the specific audience and their context. "Many" signifies a substantial portion of the mourners present. "The Jews" refers to the people from the broader Jewish community who had traveled to Bethany to offer condolences to Mary and Martha, adhering to customary mourning rites. Their presence makes the miracle a public spectacle, not a private event.
* **"and had seen the things which Jesus did":** This clause highlights the direct cause of their belief. Their faith was not blind but was a response to tangible, undeniable evidence. "The things which Jesus did" primarily refers to the resurrection of Lazarus, but also encompasses the entire sequence of events, including Jesus's compassion and authority demonstrated throughout the narrative. The KJV's "had seen" (a pluperfect tense in Greek) emphasizes that their observation preceded and directly led to their belief.
* **"believed on him":** This is the climactic outcome. Having witnessed the miraculous power of Jesus, these individuals transitioned from mere observers to active believers. The Greek preposition "on him" (_eis auton_) denotes direction "into" or "unto" Jesus, signifying a personal commitment and trust in Him as the Messiah, the one who possesses divine authority over life and death. This belief implies a turning point in their spiritual lives.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs **Cause and Effect**, where the direct observation of Jesus's miracle ("had seen the things which Jesus did") serves as the undeniable cause, leading to the profound effect of belief ("believed on him"). This highlights the persuasive power of divine action. Furthermore, there is an element of **Contrast** implicit in the broader narrative, as the belief of "many of the Jews" stands in stark opposition to the hardened unbelief and escalating hostility of the religious authorities, who, despite the same evidence, chose to plot against Jesus rather than believe ([John 11:46-53](/john/11-46-53 "John 11:46-53 - The Council Plots Against Jesus")). This sets up a **Dramatic Irony**, as the very miracle intended to bring life and belief also precipitates the plot that leads to Jesus's death.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 11:45 powerfully illustrates the transformative nature of encountering divine power and truth. The belief of "many of the Jews" underscores a core theological principle: God reveals Himself through mighty acts, inviting a response of faith. This is not a coerced belief, but an informed decision based on undeniable evidence. The miracle of Lazarus's resurrection serves as a profound sign, pointing to Jesus's identity as the Son of God and the source of all life, both physical and spiritual. Their belief signifies a spiritual awakening, a recognition of Jesus's messianic claims, and an entrustment of their lives to Him. This act of faith is precisely what the Gospel of John aims to elicit from its readers, demonstrating that true belief involves both intellectual assent to Jesus's claims and a personal commitment to Him.

* [John 20:30-31](/john/20-30-31 "The Purpose of John's Signs")
* [Romans 10:17](/romans/10-17 "Faith Comes by Hearing")
* [Hebrews 11:1](/hebrews/11-1 "The Definition of Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While we do not witness physical resurrections from the dead in our daily lives as these Jews did, the principle of belief born from encountering Jesus's truth remains profoundly relevant. Our "seeing" comes through the testimony of Scripture, the witness of the Holy Spirit, the transformation in the lives of believers, and the historical reality of Christ's resurrection. This verse challenges us to consider the evidence for our own faith: Is it a shallow intellectual agreement, or a deep, active trust born from a genuine encounter with Jesus through His Word and Spirit? It reminds us that faith is a response to revelation, and God continues to reveal Himself in myriad ways. For those who are hesitant, this verse encourages an open-hearted examination of the claims of Christ and the historical evidence for His life, death, and resurrection. For believers, it calls us to deepen our trust, remembering the power of the One in whom we have believed, and to share the compelling truth of Jesus with others, that they too might believe and have life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "things which Jesus did" in your life or in the world have led you to believe in Him, or strengthened your faith?**
* **How does witnessing God's power (whether in Scripture, history, or personal experience) impact your level of trust and commitment to Him?**
* **In what ways can we, as believers, present the "things which Jesus did" (His character, His teachings, His work) to others in a compelling way that invites belief?**
* **What might hinder someone from believing, even in the face of compelling evidence, as seen in the contrasting reactions to Lazarus's resurrection?**

### FAQ
**Was the belief of these Jews necessarily "saving faith"?**

Answer: The Gospel of John consistently uses "believe" (_pisteúō_) to denote a saving faith, a deep, active trust and commitment directed "into" or "unto" Jesus as the Son of God. While the immediate context of [John 11:45](/john/11-45 "John 11:45 - Many Jews Believe") highlights their response to a miracle, the consistent theological framework of John's Gospel suggests this was indeed a genuine, life-giving faith. However, it's also important to note that not all who initially believed in Jesus continued in their faith (cf. [John 6:66](/john/6-66 "John 6:66 - Many Disciples Turn Away")), and some believed in a superficial way ([John 2:23-25](/john/2-23-25 "John 2:23-25 - Jesus Knew What Was in Man")). For these "many," the text implies a true conversion of heart based on the undeniable evidence of Jesus's divine power.

**Why did some Jews believe while others, who also witnessed the miracle, did not?**

Answer: The Gospel of John frequently depicts a divided response to Jesus, even among those who witness His miracles. While "many" believed, [John 11:46](/john/11-46 "John 11:46 - Some Report to Pharisees") immediately follows, stating that "some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done." This illustrates the human capacity for spiritual blindness and hardened hearts, even in the face of overwhelming evidence. Factors like preconceived notions, fear of religious authorities ([John 12:42-43](/john/12-42-43 "John 12:42-43 - Many Leaders Believed, But Did Not Confess")), pride, and a preference for human glory over God's glory ([John 5:44](/john/5-44 "John 5:44 - How Can You Believe?")) could prevent belief, even when the truth is plainly displayed. Belief ultimately requires a willingness to submit to God's revelation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The resurrection of Lazarus in [John 11](/john/11 "John 11 - The Resurrection of Lazarus"), and the subsequent belief of many, serves as a powerful prefigurement and pointer to the ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment: Jesus's own resurrection and His power to grant spiritual life. Lazarus's temporary return to physical life foreshadows Christ's triumph over death, which is not merely a resuscitation but a glorious, eternal resurrection. Jesus declared, "[I am the resurrection, and the life](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")," a claim uniquely validated by His own victory over the grave ([Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Declared Son of God by Resurrection")). The belief of these Jews in Jesus, the one who could raise the dead, points to the deeper truth that He is the one who can raise humanity from spiritual death to new life ([Ephesians 2:4-5](/ephesians/2-4-5 "Ephesians 2:4-5 - Made Alive with Christ")). Through His death and resurrection, Christ became the "firstfruits of those who are asleep" ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ the Firstfruits")), offering not just a temporary reprieve from death, but eternal life to all who believe in Him ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). Thus, Lazarus's resurrection is not merely a miracle, but a profound sign revealing Jesus as the very embodiment of resurrection and life, the ultimate hope for humanity's spiritual and physical redemption.

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 11:19

And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

John 2:23

¶ Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast [day], many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.

John 10:41

And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.

John 11:31

The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.

John 7:31

And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this [man] hath done?

John 12:42

¶ Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess [him], lest they should be put out of the synagogue:

John 12:9

Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.