John 11 45

John 11:45 kjv

Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.

John 11:45 nkjv

Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him.

John 11:45 niv

Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him.

John 11:45 esv

Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him,

John 11:45 nlt

Many of the people who were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen.

John 11 verses

John 11 45 Meaning

John 11:45 conveys that a significant number of Jewish people who had come from Jerusalem to mourn with Mary, upon directly witnessing Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead, were compelled by this irrefutable sign to place their faith in Him. It signifies the powerful and immediate impact of Jesus' climactic miracle on eyewitnesses, leading to a personal commitment to Him.

John 11 45 Context

John 11:45 follows the miraculous resurrection of Lazarus by Jesus. Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, had been dead and in the tomb for four days in Bethany, a village near Jerusalem. Jesus had intentionally delayed His arrival, declaring His purpose was "for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it" (Jn 11:4). The scene leading up to verse 45 involves Jesus' poignant grief, His declarative statement, "I am the resurrection and the life," His prayer of thanks to the Father for hearing Him, and then His public command, "Lazarus, come out!" (Jn 11:43), which resulted in Lazarus walking out of the tomb still bound in grave clothes. This extraordinary public event, witnessed by a large gathering that included many from Jerusalem who had come to console Mary and Martha, serves as the immediate and powerful context for the belief recounted in this verse. It is the culminating "sign" in John's Gospel, setting in motion the final chain of events leading to Jesus' crucifixion.

John 11 45 Word analysis

• Many (Greek: polloi): Not an insignificant number, but a substantial quantity of individuals. This highlights the widespread impact and credibility of the miracle, showing it was not isolated to a few. However, it also implies not all present believed, setting up the contrast with those mentioned in the next verse who reported to the Pharisees.

• of the Jews (Greek: ek tōn Ioudaiōn): In John's Gospel, "the Jews" often refers to the religious establishment or Judean populace, often distinct from "Israel" or broader ethnic Jewish identity. Here, it specifically denotes those who came from Jerusalem, representing a segment of the people from the center of Jewish religious and political life, making their belief particularly significant.

• therefore (Greek: oun): A connective particle indicating consequence or result. It explicitly links their belief to the preceding event, the raising of Lazarus, emphasizing the direct cause-and-effect relationship.

• who had come with Mary: This specific detail identifies the particular subset of the crowd. These were not just distant observers but intimate companions and mourners present for the entire unfolding of the tragedy and triumph, intensifying their witness and personal connection to the event. They had accompanied Mary to the tomb, directly observing the sequence from Jesus' arrival to the miracle.

• and had seen (Greek: kai theasammenoi): This Greek verb theasomai implies a careful, observant beholding, a gaze that processes and reflects, not merely a casual glance. It emphasizes that their belief was founded on a direct, undeniable, and closely observed reality—the spectacular and irrefutable proof of Lazarus' resurrection.

• what he did (Greek: ha epoiēsen): This refers pointedly to the action Jesus performed, the resurrection of Lazarus. The definiteness of the phrase underscores the specific, powerful, and unchallengeable deed that precipitated their faith.

• believed in him (Greek: episteusan eis auton): This phrase denotes saving faith. Episteusan (from pisteuō) implies trust, reliance, and commitment. The preposition eis ("into") further signifies a deeply personal, active commitment to Jesus' person and claims, moving beyond mere intellectual assent to a transformative relationship. This kind of belief is a central theme in John's Gospel.

• Many of the Jews... who had come with Mary: This group is clearly delineated. Their background (Jews from Jerusalem's sphere) and their close proximity to the grieving sisters means they had full context and emotional involvement, making their witness highly credible and their conversion particularly impactful.

• and had seen what he did: This clause emphasizes the objective, undeniable evidence. Their belief wasn't based on abstract teaching but on the concrete, divine power displayed before their very eyes. This aligns with John's overarching purpose of presenting signs to engender faith.

• believed in him: This marks a critical decision. Despite societal pressures or previous skepticism, the sheer magnitude of the miracle prompted a genuine and deep-seated faith, recognizing Jesus' divine authority and His claims as the Son of God.

John 11 45 Bonus section

The resurrection of Lazarus is frequently identified as the climactic seventh 'sign' in John's Gospel, bringing to a crescendo Jesus' public display of divine power and glory before His passion. It directly challenges the prevailing understanding of death's finality and God's role in it, revealing Jesus as the ultimate source of life. The term "the Jews" in John's Gospel can be complex, often referring to a particular segment, especially the Judean leadership or those opposed to Jesus' ministry, rather than the entirety of the Jewish people. Here, it signifies the profound reach of Jesus' miracle into a population sphere that was frequently skeptical or hostile, amplifying the significance of their belief. This specific event directly led the Sanhedrin to convene and make the official decision to put Jesus to death, as recounted in John 11:47-53, revealing the ultimate conflict provoked by His undeniable messianic actions.

John 11 45 Commentary

John 11:45 marks a pivotal moment in Jesus' public ministry and a significant fulfillment of His declared purpose for Lazarus' resurrection: "so that the Son of God may be glorified through it" (Jn 11:4). The unprecedented spectacle of a man dead for four days walking out of his tomb served as undeniable proof of Jesus' power over death itself and validated His claims to be "the Resurrection and the Life." The belief of "many of the Jews" highlights that this was not a localized or obscure event but made a profound impression on people from Jerusalem's religious and cultural heart. Their faith, forged in the direct experience of divine power, stands in stark contrast to the continued rejection and increasing hostility of others (as seen in the following verses), underscoring the divisive nature of Jesus and His works. This powerful demonstration directly achieved its aim of leading many to saving faith.