John 11 15

John 11:15 kjv

And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.

John 11:15 nkjv

And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him."

John 11:15 niv

and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him."

John 11:15 esv

and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him."

John 11:15 nlt

And for your sakes, I'm glad I wasn't there, for now you will really believe. Come, let's go see him."

John 11 verses

John 11 15 Meaning

In John 11:15, Jesus expresses a divine paradox: He states that He is glad He was not present when Lazarus died, not out of indifference or a lack of love, but because His absence allowed the situation to unfold to the point of undeniable death. This permitted a greater miracle—the raising of Lazarus after four days—which would serve to deepen the disciples' faith and reveal God's glory more powerfully than if He had healed Lazarus before his death. Despite the danger, Jesus then resolves to go to Bethany, demonstrating His purposeful intent and unwavering commitment to His mission.

John 11 15 Context

John chapter 11 opens with news of Lazarus's severe illness reaching Jesus. Instead of immediately going to Bethany, where Lazarus, Mary, and Martha lived, Jesus deliberately delayed for two days, knowing Lazarus would die. The disciples, recalling previous threats against Jesus in Judea, expressed fear and concern about returning to the region, indicating their belief that His going to Bethany was perilous. Jesus's response in John 11:15 directly addresses this perceived delay and the impending danger. He clarifies that His absence at the moment of Lazarus's death was not incidental but a predetermined action, purposed to strengthen their fledgling faith. The subsequent command, "nevertheless let us go to him," transitions from theological explanation to decisive, courageous action, leading to the miraculous raising of Lazarus and a profound revelation of Jesus as "the Resurrection and the Life." This event occurred very close to Jesus's own crucifixion, heightening the stakes for His followers and intensifying the faith lesson.

John 11 15 Word analysis

• and (καὶ, kai): A simple conjunction connecting this statement to Jesus's prior declaration that Lazarus had died. It emphasizes continuity in thought from the knowledge of death to the interpretation of its significance.
• for your sake (δι’ ὑμᾶς, di’ hymas): "On account of you" or "for your benefit." This phrase highlights the primary recipients and purpose of Jesus's actions: His disciples. It demonstrates that Jesus's actions are not self-serving but oriented towards the spiritual growth and understanding of His followers.
• I am glad (χαίρω, chairō): Present active indicative. This signifies Jesus's current, internal state of joy. The joy is not in Lazarus's death itself, but in the divine opportunity and greater good that will arise from it. It reflects divine foresight and purpose.
• that I was not there (ὅτι οὐκ ἤμην ἐκεῖ, hoti ouk ēmysn ekei): This directly states the specific condition that is the cause of Jesus's gladness. Had Jesus been physically present, cultural expectations and His own compassion likely would have led Him to heal Lazarus immediately, preventing him from dying and thus precluding the demonstration of resurrection power over actual, irreversible death.
• so that you may believe (ἵνα πιστεύσητε, hina pisteusēte): This is a crucial purpose clause. The ultimate reason for Jesus's strategic absence and the subsequent, more profound miracle is the strengthening and deepening of the disciples' faith. "Believe" here means more than intellectual assent; it implies trust, reliance, and commitment to Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, who holds power over life and death.
• nevertheless (ἀλλὰ, alla): A strong adversative conjunction. It indicates a transition from the explanatory reasoning to a direct command. It suggests a decisive shift from contemplation of the past circumstances to resolute action.
• let us go (ἄγωμεν, agōmen): Hortatory subjunctive, expressing a resolute exhortation or command for collective action. Jesus includes His disciples in this dangerous journey, inviting them to participate in, and witness, the unfolding of God's plan.
• to him (πρὸς αὐτόν, pros auton): Clearly designates Lazarus as the destination and the focus of the impending action.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "for your sake I am glad that I was not there": This entire phrase reveals Jesus's profound sovereignty and purposeful control over events. His "gladness" isn't a lack of compassion, but an anticipation of the redemptive power and teaching moment God orchestrated. It demonstrates a divine perspective that transcends human immediate desires for comfort.
• "so that you may believe": This phrase clarifies the ultimate objective of divine action: the cultivation of faith in God's power and Christ's identity. The miracle, though astonishing, is merely a means to the greater end of spiritual growth and conviction among His disciples and, by extension, the world.
• "nevertheless let us go to him": This powerful command signifies Jesus's resolve and courageous leadership. Despite the disciples' fear and the real threat of violence in Judea, Jesus demonstrates unwavering determination to fulfill His Father's will. It marks a shift from theological explanation to active engagement in the divine plan, beckoning His followers to step forward in faith alongside Him.

John 11 15 Bonus section

The Jewish cultural understanding of death at the time, particularly the belief that the soul lingered around the body for three days before departing, adds profound significance to Lazarus being dead for four days. By that time, all hope of resuscitation was lost; decomposition would have begun. This meant that Jesus's miracle was undeniably a raising from actual, biological death, not merely a recovery from a coma or deep sleep. This timing was precisely "for their sake" (the disciples) so that their belief could be established on an indisputable, empirically verifiable act of resurrection. This miracle thus became one of the ultimate "signs" (Jn 20:30-31) of Jesus's identity, revealing the glory of God (Jn 11:4) and bolstering the disciples' faith in His unique authority over life and death.

John 11 15 Commentary

John 11:15 is a pivotal verse, encapsulating Jesus's divine wisdom, purposeful planning, and compassionate intention. His "gladness" about not being present during Lazarus's death is not an insensitive reaction but a strategic, redemptive joy. It anticipates the monumental spiritual lesson awaiting His disciples. Had Jesus arrived earlier, His great love would undoubtedly have led Him to heal Lazarus, a significant miracle in itself. However, by delaying and allowing Lazarus to truly die, enter the tomb, and begin decomposition—a state culturally accepted as irreversible—Jesus prepared the scene for an unparalleled demonstration of His authority over death itself. This deliberate orchestration was for the explicit purpose of solidifying the disciples' belief in Him as the "Resurrection and the Life," reinforcing their faith against future trials, including His own impending death. The immediate command "nevertheless let us go to him" underlines Jesus's determined resolve and courage, despite the clear and present danger in returning to Judea. It is an invitation for the disciples to transcend their fear and witness the manifestation of God's glory through a miracle designed specifically to deepen their conviction.

• Example 1: A seemingly delayed answer to prayer, like a job promotion or healing, might allow for a more profound demonstration of God's timing and power, strengthening faith more than an immediate outcome.
• Example 2: Experiencing a difficult "wilderness" period, where God seems absent, can strip away reliance on self and material things, fostering a deeper, more mature trust in Him that perhaps easier times would not.