John 11 1

John 11:1 kjv

Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.

John 11:1 nkjv

Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.

John 11:1 niv

Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.

John 11:1 esv

Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.

John 11:1 nlt

A man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha.

John 11 verses

John 11 1 Meaning

John 11:1 introduces the central characters and the precipitating event of one of Jesus's most significant miracles: the raising of Lazarus. It concisely establishes that Lazarus, a man from Bethany, the village where Mary and Martha lived, was severely ill. This initial statement immediately sets the stage for a critical theological encounter concerning life, death, and Jesus's divine authority.

John 11 1 Context

John 11:1 immediately follows Jesus's controversial teachings and miraculous acts in Jerusalem and Perea, particularly in chapters 9 and 10. In chapter 9, Jesus healed a blind man, asserting His identity as the Light of the World, leading to escalating conflict with the Jewish religious leaders who questioned His authority and legitimacy. Chapter 10 depicts Jesus as the Good Shepherd, emphasizing His care for His "sheep" and distinguishing Himself from false leaders, culminating in further attempts to arrest Him. He then retreated beyond the Jordan (Jn 10:40). Thus, John 11:1 serves as a critical bridge, drawing Jesus back into the proximity of Judea due to a personal emergency, setting the stage for the climactic seventh and final public "sign" in John's Gospel—the raising of Lazarus. This miracle is the most overt demonstration of Jesus's power over death and directly contributes to the Sanhedrin's decision to plot His execution (Jn 11:45-53), connecting directly to the impending Passion Week. Culturally, severe illness and death were understood within the context of community, with strong traditions of mourning, burial, and often, the belief that illness was a consequence of sin.

John 11 1 Word analysis

• Now (Δέ - De): This conjunction often signals a transition, but not necessarily a direct chronological sequence. It means "but," "and," or "now," indicating a new, significant development in the narrative, rather than immediate consecutiveness from the previous scene. It shifts the focus from Jesus's retreat to a new, urgent situation.
• a certain man: An introductory, indefinite phrasing (Greek: τις - tis) that prepares the reader for the subsequent revelation of his identity, drawing immediate attention to the individual about to be named.
• was ill (ἀσθενῶν - asthenōn): From the root astheneō, meaning to be weak, infirm, or sick. This is a strong word for serious sickness, indicating a profound physical weakness that portends severe consequences, which the subsequent narrative confirms as "sickness unto death." It highlights human vulnerability and dependence.
• Lazarus (Λάζαρος - Lazaros): The Greek form of the Hebrew name Eleazar, meaning "God has helped." The very name carries a profound prophetic irony given the coming event, subtly foreshadowing divine intervention in his severe condition. He is an individual known to Jesus.
• of Bethany (ἀπὸ Βηθανίας - apo Bethanias): Identifies Lazarus's hometown. Bethany, meaning "house of figs" or "house of affliction," was a village on the Mount of Olives, less than two miles (approx. 3 km) east of Jerusalem (Jn 11:18). Its proximity to Jerusalem makes the subsequent events politically charged. Historically, it was a common resting place for pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem.
• the village of Mary and her sister Martha: This parenthetical phrase confirms Lazarus's deep connection to these two well-known sisters, whose hospitality to Jesus has been mentioned elsewhere (Lk 10:38-42). This establishes Lazarus's identity not in isolation, but within a familiar household, highlighting the personal relationship between this family and Jesus. It immediately signals that the people involved are those whom Jesus cares deeply about, setting a personal tone for the ensuing drama.
• Word group: "a certain man was ill, Lazarus": This phrasing carefully introduces Lazarus's situation and identity, first with a general statement, then with specific naming, underscoring the personal nature of the impending crisis. The illness of this specific "man" is the trigger for the entire narrative.
• Word group: "Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha": This emphasizes the close familial bond and shared household, implying that these three individuals formed a close-knit unit and that Jesus had a relationship with all of them. The connection to Mary and Martha ensures the reader understands the family's existing relationship and regard for Jesus, thus making their later pleas even more poignant.

John 11 1 Bonus section

The careful introduction of Lazarus's illness serves as an "anti-climactic" beginning, given the dramatic miracles Jesus has performed prior. This subtly prepares the reader for the sheer magnitude of the impending miracle – not just healing, but overcoming the ultimate human weakness, death itself. The specific naming of Bethany near Jerusalem and the direct link to Martha and Mary (rather than just 'his sisters') highlights the interconnectedness of this event with Jesus's ministry and growing conflict in Judea, anticipating that this miracle will directly force the hand of His enemies. Some early Jewish interpretations often linked serious illness directly to specific sins; however, John 11, like John 9, implicitly counters this simplistic view, proposing that sickness, in some cases, serves as a backdrop for the revelation of God's glory through Christ.

John 11 1 Commentary

John 11:1 functions as the narrative's catalyst, introducing a grave personal crisis within Jesus's close circle of friends in Bethany. The specific mention of Lazarus's severe illness—unto death—immediately sets a high emotional and theological stakes. By linking Lazarus to Mary and Martha, the verse also reminds the audience of this family's established relationship with Jesus, setting the stage for a deeply personal intervention. It deliberately avoids revealing the specific nature of the illness, focusing instead on its seriousness and its profound impact, which ultimately serves to magnify God's glory through Jesus's impending miraculous power over death. The sickness, as will be revealed, is not random but divinely permitted to serve a greater purpose—to display God's glory and to lead people to believe in Jesus.