📖 John — Chapter 11 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Red lettering identifies words spoken by Jesus; it is an editorial reading aid. Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
John 11:1 Now a certain man Rwas sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
John 11:2 (It was Rthat Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
John 11:3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
John 11:4 When Jesus heard that, he said, RThis sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
John 11:5 Now Jesus Rloved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
John 11:6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, Rhe abode two days still in the same place where he was.
John 11:7 Then after that saith he to his disciples, RLet us go into Judaea again.
John 11:8 His disciples say unto him, Master, Rthe Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?
John 11:9 Jesus answered, RAre 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 11:10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.
John 11:11 These things said he: and after that Rhe saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
John 11:12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
John 11:13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
John 11:14 Then said Jesus unto them Rplainly, Lazarus is dead.
John 11:15 And RI am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
John 11:16 Then said RThomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
John 11:17 Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave Rfour days already.
John 11:18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about Rfifteen furlongs off:
John 11:19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, Rto comfort them concerning their brother.
John 11:20 Then Martha, Ras soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
John 11:21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
John 11:22 But I know, Rthat even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
John 11:23 Jesus saith unto her, RThy brother shall rise again.
John 11:24 Martha saith unto him, RI know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, RI am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
John 11:26 And Rwhosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
John 11:27 She saith unto him, RYea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
John 11:28 And when she had so said, she went her way, Rand called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.
John 11:29 RAs soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.
John 11:30 Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.
John 11:31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, RShe goeth unto the grave to weep there.
John 11:32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, Rshe fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
John 11:33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and Rthe Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled.
John 11:34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
John 11:35 RJesus wept.
John 11:36 Then said the Jews, RBehold how he loved him!
John 11:37 And some of them said, RCould not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?
John 11:38 Jesus therefore again Rgroaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
John 11:39 Jesus said, RTake ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
John 11:40 Jesus saith unto her, RSaid I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
John 11:41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. RAnd Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
John 11:42 And RI knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
John 11:43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, RLazarus, come forth.
John 11:44 And Rhe that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
John 11:45 Then many of the RJews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
John 11:46 But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.
John 11:47 Then Rgathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.
John 11:48 If Rwe let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.
John 11:49 And one of them, named RCaiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,
John 11:50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
John 11:51 And this spake he not of himself: but Rbeing high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;
John 11:52 And Rnot for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
John 11:53 Then Rfrom that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.
John 11:54 Jesus therefore Rwalked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.
John 11:55 And the Jews’ passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem Rbefore the passover, to purify themselves.
John 11:56 Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast?
John 11:57 Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees Rhad given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
John 11:1–16 — Lazarus’s illness and Jesus’ delay challenge the disciples
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
News comes that Lazarus is sick, but Jesus waits before returning toward Judaea. He speaks of light, Lazarus’s sleep and death, and the disciples’ coming belief, while they fear the danger of the journey.
Key Truth: Do not treat delay as proof that Jesus lacks love or purpose.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “Now a ____ man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of …” (John 11:1)
Find it in John 11:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “Then said ____ unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.” (John 11:14)
Find it in John 11:14 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “____ said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do …” (John 11:12)
Find it in John 11:12 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
John 11:17–37 — Martha and Mary meet Jesus in grief
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Martha speaks with Jesus about her brother and resurrection, and he declares himself the resurrection and the life. Mary and mourners meet him with grief; Jesus is troubled and weeps.
Key Truth: Bring grief honestly to Jesus while receiving his word about life.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “____ said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!” (John 11:36)
Find it in John 11:36 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the ____ of God, which should come into the world.” (John 11:27)
Find it in John 11:27 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “And ____ of them said, Could not this man, which opened the …” (John 11:37)
Find it in John 11:37 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
John 11:38–57 — Lazarus is raised and leaders plot Jesus’ death
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Jesus calls Lazarus from the sepulchre and directs that he be loosed. Many believe, while the leaders’ fear of losing their position leads to counsel for Jesus’ death and instructions concerning his whereabouts.
Key Truth: Respond to the sign with faith rather than a determination to preserve power.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “… their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things ____ had done.” (John 11:46)
Find it in John 11:46 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “And when he ____ had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come …” (John 11:43)
Find it in John 11:43 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “… both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a ____ , that, if any man knew where he were, he …” (John 11:57)
Find it in John 11:57 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Isaiah 25:8 — The promise concerning swallowed-up death offers a connection with resurrection hope.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
What grief or delayed answer can you bring honestly to Jesus?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which account best distinguishes John 11:1–16 (Lazarus’s illness and Jesus’ delay challenge the disciples) from the other movements of this chapter?
2. Which account best distinguishes John 11:17–37 (Martha and Mary meet Jesus in grief) from the other movements of this chapter?
3. Which account best distinguishes John 11:38–57 (Lazarus is raised and leaders plot Jesus’ death) from the other movements of this chapter?
4. How does Jesus place hope beyond physical death?
5. What does Jesus' weeping reveal within the Lazarus account?
Notes
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