A study of John 11:32-44 reveals an expression of emotion and affirmation of faith, the Jesus who knows and loves us, and his power over death.
A study of John 11:32-44 reveals an expression of emotion and affirmation of faith.
Now when Mary came to where Jesus was she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” (ESV, John 11:32)
After the death of her brother Lazarus, Mary was at home mourning with friends who gathered as a support group. But when her sister Martha says Jesus is outside asking for her, she goes to him immediately followed by the group. She falls at Jesus’ feet in an act of submission and repeats what Martha said. Jesus could have healed Lazarus had he been there. Her voice, perhaps, carries a tone of reproach. but also affirms her faith. Jesus reacts emotionally to Mary’s weeping and the other mourners with her.
When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. (ESV, John 11:33)
Mary’s Weeping
The Greek word for “weeping” is klaiō, which means to sob, wail aloud, bewail, and weep. In other words, a visible, demonstrative expression of sorrow.
The word translated “deeply moved” is the Greek embrimaomai and used only a few times in the New Testament. It refers to snorting like a horse and suggests anger, outrage, and emotional indignation. It’s also used in Matthew 9:30 and Mark 1:43 to rebuke and give a stern warning. The Greek word for “troubled” is tarassō, which means to stir, agitate, and trouble.
Certainly, Jesus felt compassion for Mary in the loss of her brother, but why anger and agitation?
Some scholars suggest Jesus was grieved and angry with the sin, sickness, and death in a fallen world that caused so much sorrow. Others say he was angry at unbelief and that the mourners grieved like pagans without hope. Of course, even as Christ-followers, we experience sorrow when loved ones die. At the same time, we also have reason for hope, joy, and even celebration for a saint entering eternal life.
A study of John 11:32-44 reveals the Jesus who knows and loves us.
Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying? (ESV, John 11:37)
It’s the shortest sentence in the Bible. Jesus wept. (V.35) The Greek word for “wept” is dakryō, which means to shed tears and weep. But to do so silently. John distinguishes between the weeping of Mary, other mourners, and Jesus by using klaiō to describe Mary’s weeping and dakryō for Jesus. Mary’s grief was genuine, but was she maybe slightly playing to the crowd?
Jesus likely didn’t cry over the death of Lazarus since he was about raise him back to life. And yet, his genuine expression of human sorrow reminds us he was both fully God and man. And not just a God who loves us. But who also understands our human experience as expressed by the writer of Hebrews.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin. (ESV, Hebrews 4:15)
The crowd of mourners was emotionally touched when they saw Jesus weep. And for the third time expressed the belief Jesus could have healed Lazarus. They even specifically mentioned the man born blind that Jesus healed in Jerusalem. Still, no one considered what Jesus could do in the present.
A study of John 11:32-44 reveals Jesus’ power over death.
Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” (ESV, John 11:40)
Martha objects when Jesus asks to have the stone blocking the grave entrance moved. Four days after Lazarus’ death meant there would be a foul odor by now. But Jesus reminds her to believe in order to see the glory of God.
After praying to his father, Jesus commands, “Lazarus come out!”
Lazarus exits the tomb still wearing his burial wrappings. It confirms he was raised in his former body that would eventually die again. But it does not negate the spectacular miracle that clearly demonstrates Jesus claim. He IS the resurrection and life. Calling Lazarus from the grave foreshadows another future event when the dead in Christ are all called to resurrected life.
Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out—those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. (ESV, John 5:28-28)
More importantly, raising Lazarus from the dead paved the way for the resurrection of Jesus. Because he defeated death we can too. But unlike Lazarus, Jesus left his grave clothes behind and assumed a new, resurrected body. And so will we.
About Chip Tudor:
Chip Tudor is a Christian author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview. This blog is originally published here.
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