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John 11:42

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And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said [it], that they may believe that thou hast sent me.

And {G1161} I {G1473} knew {G1492} that {G3754} thou hearest {G191} me {G3450} always {G3842}: but {G235} because {G1223} of the people {G3793} which {G3588} stand by {G4026} I said {G2036} it, that {G2443} they may believe {G4100} that {G3754} thou {G4771} hast sent {G649} me {G3165}.

I myself know that you always hear me, but I say this because of the crowd standing around, so that they may believe that you have sent me.”

I knew that You always hear Me, but I say this for the benefit of the people standing here, so they may believe that You sent Me.”

And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the multitude that standeth around I said it, that they may believe that thou didst send me.

Commentary

In John 11:42, Jesus concludes His public prayer before miraculously raising Lazarus from the dead. This verse is a profound insight into Jesus' relationship with God the Father and the ultimate purpose of His miracles.

Context

This declaration is made at the tomb of Lazarus, in Bethany, with a crowd of mourners and disciples present. Immediately preceding this, Jesus has already thanked the Father for hearing Him (John 11:41). The atmosphere is tense, filled with grief and anticipation. Jesus' prayer is not a plea for God to hear Him, but a statement of confident communion, intended to reveal God's power and authenticate Jesus' identity to the onlookers.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority and Intimacy: Jesus states, "I knew that thou hearest me always." This reveals the unbroken, continuous, and perfect communion between Jesus and the Father. It underscores His unique divine authority and His eternal relationship with God.
  • Purpose of Miracles: The primary reason Jesus speaks aloud is "because of the people which stand by." The miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead is not merely a display of power, but a powerful sign intended to lead people to faith.
  • Authentication of Jesus' Mission: The ultimate goal is "that they may believe that thou hast sent me." This miracle serves as undeniable proof that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, divinely commissioned by the Father, as He often taught (see also John 5:36).
  • Prayer as Witness: Jesus' public prayer models a confident, trusting approach to God, demonstrating that His power comes directly from the Father, not from any independent magical ability.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "hearest me always" translates the Greek akoueis mou pantote (ἀκούεις μου πάντοτε), which emphasizes the constant and unwavering nature of the Father's attention and responsiveness to Jesus. It implies a perfect understanding and alignment of will. The purpose clause "that they may believe that thou hast sent me" (ἵνα πιστεύσωσιν ὅτι σύ με ἀπέσταλκας) uses a verb form for "sent" (apestalkas) that implies a completed action with ongoing results, reinforcing Jesus' established identity as the Father's chosen messenger.

Practical Application

This verse encourages believers to pray with confidence, knowing that God always hears those who are in Christ. It also reminds us that God often works through us, not just for our benefit, but for the sake of others to witness His power and come to faith. Our lives, words, and actions, especially those empowered by God, should ultimately point people to Jesus as the one sent by the Father to bring salvation. It teaches us to be mindful of our witness and how our faith can impact those around us, drawing them closer to God's truth and love.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • John 3:17 (6 votes)

    For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

  • John 17:21 (4 votes)

    That they all may be one; as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

  • Romans 8:3 (3 votes)

    For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

  • John 17:8 (3 votes)

    For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received [them], and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

  • 1 John 4:9 (3 votes)

    In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

  • 1 John 4:10 (3 votes)

    Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins.

  • John 17:25 (3 votes)

    O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.