John 11

The Anointed Lord

Messiah — the Anointed One

(It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) John 11:2

John calls Jesus "the Lord" and points ahead to Mary anointing Him. Anointing is what the title Messiah or Christ means, and Jesus later says this anointing was for His burial.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same event in John 12:3 — The anointing this verse anticipates.

Son of God

Son of God — the literal Son of the Father

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. John 11:4

Jesus calls Himself the Son of God and says Lazarus's sickness will show His glory. The miracle that follows is a witness of who He is.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfilled by John 11:40 — Martha is promised she will see the glory of God.

Light of the World

Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. John 11:9–10

Jesus speaks of walking in daylight while He, the Light of the World, is still present. Those who walk without Him stumble in darkness.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to John 9:5 — "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
• alludes to John 8:12 — "He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness."

Lord over death

These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. John 11:11–15

To Jesus, death is only sleep, because He has power to wake the dead. He lets the delay happen so His disciples will believe.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Matthew 9:24 — Jesus says the dead maid "is not dead, but sleepeth" before raising her.

Faith in Christ

Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. John 11:21–22

Even in grief, Martha calls Jesus Lord and trusts that the Father will give Him whatever He asks.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same event in John 11:32 — Mary says the same words at His feet.

The Resurrection and the Life

The Resurrection and the Life — the One who is Himself the power of rising from death and of eternal life

Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. John 11:23–26

Martha believes in a resurrection someday; Jesus tells her the resurrection is a Person, and it is Him. Because of Him everyone will rise, and those who believe will live forever with God.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in John 14:6 — "I am the way, the truth, and the life."
• the same title in 3 Nephi 9:18 — "I am the light and the life of the world."

The Christ, the Son of God

Christ — the Anointed One (Greek for Messiah)

She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. John 11:27–28

Martha bears one of the clearest testimonies in the Gospels: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, the promised One who was to come.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Matthew 16:16 — Peter: "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."
• the same title in John 20:31 — John wrote so readers would believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

Jesus who weeps

Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. John 11:32–36

Mary worships at His feet, and Jesus weeps with those who mourn even though He is about to raise Lazarus. He feels our sorrow personally.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• fulfils Isaiah 53:3 — "A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief."

Opener of blind eyes

And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? John 11:37

The onlookers remember Jesus healing the man born blind. Opening blind eyes was a promised sign of the Messiah.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to John 9:6-7 — The healing they remember.
• fulfils Isaiah 35:5 — "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened."

The Son sent by the Father

Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? John 11:40–42

Jesus prays aloud so the people will know the Father sent Him. The Father always hears the Son, and the miracle is the Father's witness of Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils John 11:4 — The glory of God promised at the start of the chapter.

Raising of Lazarus — a foreshadowing of His Resurrection

And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. John 11:43–44

The dead man hears the Son's voice and lives. It previews Jesus' own Resurrection days later — but Lazarus comes out still wrapped in graveclothes and will die again, while Jesus leaves His graveclothes behind forever.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• fulfils John 5:25 — "The dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live."
• a type of what is in John 20:6-7 — Jesus' linen clothes and napkin left lying in the empty tomb.

One man dies for the people

And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, John 11:49–52

Caiaphas means it politically, but John says his words were a true prophecy: Jesus would die for all people and gather God's scattered children into one.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quoted by John 18:14 — John recalls Caiaphas's counsel at the trial.
• alludes to John 10:16 — Other sheep brought into one fold under one shepherd.