John 11:40

Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

Jesus {G2424} saith {G3004} unto her {G846}, Said I {G2036} not {G3756} unto thee {G4671}, that {G3754}, if {G1437} thou wouldest believe {G4100}, thou shouldest see {G3700} the glory {G1391} of God {G2316}?

Yeshua said to her, “Didn’t I tell you that if you keep trusting, you will see the glory of God?”

Jesus replied, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”

Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou believedst, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

Commentary

Context of John 11:40

John 11:40 is a pivotal statement by Jesus to Martha, made just moments before He performs the miraculous resurrection of Lazarus. The scene unfolds in Bethany, where Jesus has arrived four days after Lazarus, Martha's brother, has died and been buried. Both Martha and Mary, Lazarus's sisters, have expressed their profound grief and a lingering hope, saying to Jesus, "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died" (John 11:21, repeated by Mary in John 11:32). Despite Martha's earlier confession of faith in Jesus as the Christ and the Son of God (John 11:27), she hesitates at the tomb, concerned about the stench of a body that has been dead for days. It is in this moment of human doubt and limitation, just before the command to roll away the stone, that Jesus reminds her of a prior, perhaps implied, truth: that belief precedes the manifestation of God's power.

Key Themes in John 11:40

  • The Power of Belief: Jesus directly links Martha's belief to her ability to witness a divine manifestation. This verse underscores a foundational principle throughout John's Gospel: faith is not merely intellectual assent but a trust that opens the door to experiencing God's power and presence. It's a call to move beyond human reasoning and embrace divine possibility, even when circumstances seem impossible.
  • Seeing the Glory of God: The "glory of God" here refers to the visible manifestation of God's power, majesty, and divine nature. In this immediate context, it is revealed through the resurrection of Lazarus, demonstrating Jesus's ultimate authority over death itself. This event fulfills Jesus's earlier statement that Lazarus's sickness was "for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby" (John 11:4).
  • Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life: This verse serves as a powerful preamble to the demonstration of Jesus's earlier, profound declaration, "I am the resurrection, and the life." Martha's belief, though momentarily wavering, is crucial for her to witness the ultimate proof of Jesus's claim and the divine power residing in Him.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the glory of God" translates from the Greek doxa Theou (δόξα Θεοῦ). In biblical terms, doxa often refers to the visible manifestation of God's presence, power, and inherent character. It's not merely honor or reputation, but the radiant splendor and majesty that accompany divine action. Here, it signifies the awe-inspiring power that God, through Jesus, is about to display, validating Jesus's divine identity and mission to bring life.

Practical Application

John 11:40 offers profound encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that our faith, even when small or faltering, can be a catalyst for experiencing God's mighty works. In moments of doubt, grief, or seemingly insurmountable challenges, Jesus's words to Martha echo: if we would believe, we too shall see the glory of God. This doesn't promise that every specific desire will be met, but it assures us that trusting in God's sovereignty and power will lead to seeing His hand at work, perhaps in unexpected ways, revealing His character and purpose in our lives. It calls us to persist in faith, even when circumstances seem bleak, because God is capable of doing "exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20).

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Cross-References

  • John 11:4 (27 votes)

    When Jesus heard [that], he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

  • Romans 4:17 (25 votes)

    ¶ (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, [even] God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

  • Romans 4:25 (25 votes)

    Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

  • John 11:23 (25 votes)

    Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.

  • John 11:26 (25 votes)

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

  • Psalms 63:2 (15 votes)

    To see thy power and thy glory, so [as] I have seen thee in the sanctuary.

  • John 1:14 (14 votes)

    And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.