John 11:6

KJV

When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.

KJV (with Strong's)

When {G5613} he had heard {G191} therefore {G3767} that {G3754} he was sick {G770}, he abode {G3306} two {G1417} days {G2250} still {G5119}{G3303} in {G1722} the same place {G5117} where {G3739} he was {G2258}.

Complete Jewish Bible

so when he heard he was sick, first he stayed where he was two more days;

Berean Standard Bible

So on hearing that Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was for two days,

American Standard Version

When therefore he heard that he was sick, he abode at that time two days in the place where he was.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 11:6 reveals a pivotal moment in Jesus's ministry where, despite receiving urgent news of his beloved friend Lazarus's grave illness, Jesus deliberately chose to remain in his current location for two additional days. This seemingly counter-intuitive delay was not born of indifference but was a sovereign act, orchestrating circumstances to maximize God's glory through a profound demonstration of divine power and the ultimate defeat of death, thereby setting the stage for one of the most significant miracles recorded in the Gospels: the resurrection of Lazarus.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a critical juncture in John's Gospel, immediately following the urgent message sent to Jesus by Martha and Mary, the sisters of Lazarus, stating, "Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick" ([John 11:3](/john/11-3 "John 11:3 - The Message from Bethany")). The narrative flow establishes a clear expectation for Jesus to respond with immediate healing, given His previous miracles and deep affection for the family. However, Jesus's response, as recorded in [John 11:4](/john/11-4 "John 11:4 - Jesus's Purposeful Statement"), already hints at a divine purpose beyond human understanding: "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby." The two-day delay described in [John 11:6](/john/11-6 "John 11:6 - Jesus's Deliberate Delay") directly sets up the conditions for Lazarus's death and subsequent resurrection, fulfilling the prophecy of [John 11:4](/john/11-4 "John 11:4 - Sickness for God's Glory") and culminating in Jesus's profound declaration, "I am the resurrection, and the life" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, a swift response to illness, especially from a renowned healer, was customary and expected. The journey from Perea, where Jesus was ministering ([John 10:40](/john/10-40 "John 10:40 - Jesus in Perea")), to Bethany, a village near Jerusalem, would have taken approximately a day's travel. Thus, Jesus's decision to remain for two additional days meant that by the time He arrived, Lazarus would have been dead for four days, well past the point where any natural recovery or even a perceived "revival" was possible. This extended delay was crucial in the Jewish cultural context, where it was believed that the soul lingered near the body for three days after death, after which hope of return was completely abandoned. Jesus's timing, therefore, eliminated any doubt that the miracle was a genuine resurrection from irreversible death, not merely a resuscitation.
* **Key Themes:** The narrative surrounding Lazarus's sickness and resurrection, particularly [John 11:6](/john/11-6 "John 11:6 - The Deliberate Delay"), powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in John's Gospel. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Timing and Sovereignty**, demonstrating that God's plans unfold according to His perfect schedule, not human urgency or expectation. This delay underscores Jesus's absolute **Authority over Life and Death**, revealing Him not merely as a healer but as the source of all life, capable of conquering even the grave. The event also serves to magnify **God's Glory**, as the greater the challenge (Lazarus's death), the greater the glory revealed through the miraculous intervention. Finally, it highlights the **Testing and Strengthening of Faith**, as the disciples and Lazarus's sisters were forced to grapple with their understanding of Jesus's power and purpose in the face of apparent inaction and loss.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **heard (Greek, _akoúō'_):** This verb signifies not merely the physical act of hearing, but also to perceive, understand, and give attention to. In this context, it implies that Jesus fully comprehended the gravity of the message regarding Lazarus's sickness. His subsequent action was therefore a conscious, informed decision, not an oversight or a lack of awareness.
* **sick (Greek, _asthenéō'_):** Derived from a word meaning "without strength," this term describes a state of feebleness, weakness, or illness. It conveys the severity of Lazarus's condition, emphasizing that he was not merely unwell but gravely ill, implying a life-threatening situation that would naturally elicit an immediate, compassionate response from a friend and healer.
* **abode (Greek, _ménō'_):** This verb means "to stay," "to remain," "to continue," or "to dwell." Its use here is crucial, indicating a deliberate and intentional decision by Jesus to persist in His current location. It was not a passive waiting but an active, purposeful choice to tarry, highlighting His sovereign control over the situation and His unhurried adherence to a divine timetable.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When he had heard therefore that he was sick":** This clause establishes the catalyst for Jesus's subsequent action—the receipt of the urgent news about Lazarus's critical condition. The "therefore" (οὖν, _oûn_) suggests a logical connection, implying that the news should naturally lead to a certain response. The expectation, both from human perspective and the urgency of the message, would be for immediate travel to Bethany.
* **"he abode two days still":** This is the core of the verse, describing Jesus's unexpected and deliberate delay. The phrase "two days still" (δύο ἡμέρας ἔμεινεν ἔτι, _dýo hēméras émeinen éti_) emphasizes the intentionality of His staying. This was not a short pause but a significant period, ensuring that Lazarus would be dead and buried by the time Jesus arrived, thereby setting the stage for an undeniable miracle of resurrection.
* **"in the same place where he was":** This specifies that Jesus did not even move to a closer location or begin His journey. He remained precisely where He had been ministering, reinforcing the idea of a fixed, purposeful delay. This detail underscores His complete control and the absence of any panic or deviation from His divine plan, despite the urgent human plea.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in [John 11:6](/john/11-6 "John 11:6 - Jesus's Delay") is **Irony**. From a human perspective, Jesus's delay is deeply ironic; the one who possesses the power to heal chooses to wait, seemingly allowing His beloved friend to die. This dramatic irony creates suspense and highlights the profound difference between human expectations and divine wisdom. Additionally, the verse employs **Foreshadowing**. Jesus's deliberate inaction, which leads to Lazarus's death, subtly foreshadows the greater miracle to come, preparing the reader for the astonishing display of power over death. The entire episode also functions as a **Theological Statement**, using narrative action to convey profound truths about Jesus's sovereignty, divine timing, and His ultimate purpose to bring glory to God through overcoming death itself.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 11:6 profoundly illustrates the theological truth that God's ways are not our ways, and His timing is perfect, even when it appears contrary to our immediate desires or understanding. Jesus's deliberate delay, far from being a sign of indifference, was an act of sovereign love, designed to bring about a greater manifestation of God's glory and to deepen the faith of His disciples and the grieving sisters. This event serves as a powerful reminder that in moments of crisis or unanswered prayer, God is often working behind the scenes, orchestrating circumstances for a purpose far grander than we can initially perceive, ultimately for His glory and our good. It challenges believers to trust in His perfect plan, even when the path is unclear or the wait is long.

* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways")
* [Habakkuk 2:3](/habakkuk/2-3 "Habakkuk 2:3 - The Vision Awaits its Appointed Time")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - All Things Work Together for Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of Jesus's delay in [John 11:6](/john/11-6 "John 11:6 - The Purposeful Delay") offers profound spiritual lessons for believers navigating the complexities of life. In a world that often demands instant gratification and immediate solutions, this verse calls us to embrace a posture of patient trust in God's perfect timing. When our prayers seem to go unanswered, or when God's response to our urgent pleas appears delayed, we are invited to remember that His "delays" are not denials, but often preparations for a greater revelation of His power, wisdom, and love. This divine pause allowed for a miracle that transcended mere healing, demonstrating Jesus's authority over death itself. For us, this means looking beyond the immediate crisis to discern God's larger, redemptive purposes, understanding that our faith is often refined and strengthened in the crucible of waiting. It challenges us to surrender our timelines to His, knowing that His ultimate goal is always to bring glory to His name and to deepen our relationship with Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you typically react when God's timing doesn't align with your expectations or urgent prayers?**
* **In what areas of your life are you currently experiencing a "delay" from God? How might this delay be part of a larger, more glorious plan?**
* **What does Jesus's deliberate waiting in this passage teach you about His sovereignty and control over all circumstances, even life and death?**
* **How can remembering the story of Lazarus strengthen your faith when you are in a season of waiting or uncertainty?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus wait two days before going to Lazarus?**

Answer: Jesus's two-day delay was a deliberate and purposeful act, not an oversight or indifference. The primary reason was to allow Lazarus to die and be in the tomb for a significant period (four days by the time Jesus arrived), ensuring that the subsequent miracle of resurrection would be undeniable and would bring maximum glory to God. In Jewish culture, it was believed that the soul lingered for three days after death; by waiting until the fourth day, Jesus eliminated any possibility that Lazarus was merely in a coma or had fainted, confirming that it was a true resurrection from the dead. This delay also served to test and strengthen the faith of Martha, Mary, and the disciples, preparing them for a deeper understanding of Jesus's identity as the "resurrection and the life" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 11:6, with its account of Jesus's deliberate delay before raising Lazarus, serves as a profound Christ-centered fulfillment, prefiguring His own death and resurrection, and His ultimate victory over the grave. Jesus's sovereign control over the timing of Lazarus's death and resurrection foreshadows His own power to lay down His life and take it up again ([John 10:18](/john/10-18 "John 10:18 - Jesus's Authority Over His Life")). Just as He allowed Lazarus to die to manifest God's glory, so too did His own death become the necessary prelude to His glorious resurrection, which conquered sin and death for all humanity ([Romans 6:9](/romans/6-9 "Romans 6:9 - Christ's Victory Over Death")). This episode in Bethany is a powerful demonstration of Jesus's identity as "the resurrection and the life" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")), a truth that finds its ultimate and universal application in His triumph over the grave, offering eternal life to all who believe in Him ([1 Corinthians 15:20-22](/1_corinthians/15-20-22 "1 Corinthians 15:20-22 - Christ as the Firstfruits")). Thus, Jesus's actions in [John 11:6](/john/11-6 "John 11:6 - The Deliberate Delay") are not merely a historical event but a living prophecy of His redemptive work on the cross and His glorious resurrection, through which He disarmed the power of death and the devil ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Jesus's Defeat of Death")).

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

Isaiah 30:18

¶ And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD [is] a God of judgment: blessed [are] all they that wait for him.

Isaiah 55:8

For my thoughts [are] not your thoughts, neither [are] your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

Isaiah 55:9

For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Genesis 45:1

¶ Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.

Genesis 45:5

Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.

Genesis 42:24

And he turned himself about from them, and wept; and returned to them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon, and bound him before their eyes.

Genesis 22:14

And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said [to] this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.