Gospel: John 11:1-45
Hope in a Time of Loss
What was the last funeral you attended? Was the deceased close to you? Did you need time to grieve?
In spite of all our efforts, we cannot escape death. How we face death, however, can help determine our quality of life. Does the end of life give us despair or hope? In the story of Lazarus, John challenges us to see hope in death through the eyes of faith.
Popular Translation
1 Now, a man named Lazarus of Bethany was sick. He lived in the same village as Mary and her sister, Martha. 2 Martha poured perfumed oil on the Lord and dried his feet with her hair. It was her brother, Lazarus, who was ill.
3 The sisters Mary and Martha sent Jesus a message: "Lord, your close friend Lazarus is ill." 4 When Jesus heard this, he replied, "The illness of Lazarus isn't the end of him. It's really for the glory of God! And, through this illness, God's Son will receive glory." 5 Now, Jesus really liked Martha, her sister Mary, and brother Lazarus. 6 But, when he heard Lazarus was ill, Jesus stayed where he was. 7 Two days later, Jesus finally told his followers, "Let's go to Judea."
8 “Teacher, the leaders just tried to stone you,” the disciples replied, “and you want to go back there again?”
9 Jesus said, “Aren’t there twelve hours of daylight? If anyone takes a walk in the daylight he won’t stumble because he sees the light of the world. 10 But, if someone takes a walk in the dark of night, he’ll trip up because the light isn’t in him.” 11 After he said this, he added, “Our brother, Lazarus, has fallen asleep but I’m going now to wake him up.”
12 “Lord, if he’s just asleep, he’ll wake up on his own,” they answered.
13 Jesus, however, talked about his death while his followers just assumed he commented on the deep sleep of Lazarus.
14 So, Jesus made himself clear. “Lazarus is dead! 15 And, for your sake, I glad I wasn’t there so you’ll believe in me.”
16 Thomas, also called the Twin, said to the other disciples, “Let’s go so we can die with him.”
17 When Jesus arrived at Bethany in Judea, Martha and Mary's hometown, he found out Lazarus was dead. He had been buried four days before.
18 Now Bethany was only about two miles from Jerusalem. 19 So, many Jewish people came to console Martha and Mary about the loss of their brother.
20 Martha heard Jesus had come to town. So, she went to meet him, while her sister Mary remained at home. 21 "Lord!" Martha exclaimed. "If you would have been here earlier, my brother wouldn't have died! 22 But even now I know whatever you ask God to do, he will do it!"
23 "Your brother will rise again," Jesus replied.
24 "Yes," Martha said. "I know he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day."
25 "I am the resurrection and the life!" Jesus exclaimed. "The person who trusts me will live with God, even though his body dies. 26 Everyone who trusts me and lives with God will never really die. Do you believe this?"
27 "Yes, Lord," Martha answered. "I really believe you are the Messiah, the Son of God! God sent you into the world for us."
28 After she said this, Martha went to see Mary, her sister. Privately, she told her, “The Teacher in close by. He wants to see you.” When Mary heard the message, she immediately got up and rushed out to meet him. 30 Now, Jesus hadn’t come into the village but was still at the place where Martha met him. 31 When the Jewish people who were there to console her saw Martha quickly get up and leave, they followed her. They assumed she left to go to mourn at the tomb. 32 But, when Martha went to the place Jesus was, she saw him and fell to his feet. “Lord,” she said, “if you were here, my brother wouldn’t have died.”
33 When Jesus saw her and the Jewish mourners who were with her crying, he was deeply touched.
34 "Where did you bury Lazarus?" he asked the people around him.
"Come and see, Lord," they replied. 35 At this, Jesus cried. 36 "See how much Lazarus meant to Jesus," they whispered to each other. 27 But others grumbled, "Jesus cured the blind man in Jerusalem. Why couldn't he keep Lazarus from dying?"
38 The tomb where Lazarus was buried was a cave with a large stone over the entrance. When Jesus came to the tomb, he again was deeply touched. 39 "Take the stone away!" Jesus commanded.
"But, Lord!" Martha objected. "We buried him four days ago. He will have the stench of death!"
40 "Didn't I tell you if you trusted me you would see the glory of God?" Jesus replied. 41 So, they took the stone away from the tomb entrance. Jesus looked up and prayed, "Father, thank you for listening to me, as you always do. 42 I say this prayer, so the people here might believe you sent me." 43 Then, Jesus screamed, "Lazarus! Come out here!" 44 Lazarus came out of the tomb with his hands and feet tied in burial bandages, and with his face covered with a cloth shroud. "Untie him," Jesus commanded.
45 Many of the people who came to Mary's house saw what Jesus did. And they put their trust in him.
The narrative about the resurrection of Lazarus stood out as the premier miracle before the Passion. John crafted the story to remove any doubt in the power of Jesus. And to present the reader with a real challenge of faith in God's Son.
The evangelist constructed the resurrection of Lazarus as a chiasmus with seven steps.
• Step A1: Prologue: Message about Lazarus (11:1-7)
• Step B1: Prophecy about Raising Lazarus (11:8-16)
• Step C1: Doubts of Martha (11:17-24)
• Step D: Revelation of Jesus and Martha's Response (11:25-27)
• Step C2: Doubts of Mary and the Mourners (11:28-37)
• Step B2: Raising Lazarus (11:38-44)
• Step A2: Epilogue: Reactions from the Event (11:45-54)
Note that the reading ends at 11:45 and does not add the reaction of the leaders (11:46-54).
Step A1: Prologue: Message about Lazarus (11:1-6)
Literal Translation
1 Now, (there) was (this) person being ill, Lazarus from Bethany, out of the (same) village (as) Mary and her sister, Martha. 2 (It) was Martha anointing the LORD with perfumed oil and wiping HIS feet dry with her hair whose brother, Lazarus, was ill.
3 Then, the sisters sent (a message) to HIM, saying, "Lord, Look! (The one) you love is ill." 4 Hearing (the message), JESUS said, "This illness will not (lead) to death, but (is) for the glory of God, so that the Son of God might be glorified through it." 5 Now, JESUS loved Martha and Mary, her sister, and Lazarus. 6 So, when HE heard that (Lazarus) was ill, HE stayed in the place (that) HE was two (more) days. 7 Then, after this (time frame), HE said to his disciples, "Let us go to Judea again."
11:4 "This illness will not (lead) to death, but (is) for the glory of God." This illness of Lazarus would lead to his death. But, implicitly, it would also lead to the death of Jesus. The death of both men would result in the glory of God, their resurrections. Hence, the phrase had a double meaning (Lazarus and Jesus).
"so that the Son of God might be glorified through it." The phrase "through it" can have a double meaning: the illness and the glory of God. John could have meant both meanings.
The evangelist began the passage with the identification the small family [11:1-2]. Then, Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus, sent Jesus an urgent note about his grave illness. [11:3] The note revealed their faith in Jesus only as a healer.
Jesus responded with a statement of faith. The illness would not lead to death, but to God's glory and the glory of his Son. [11:4] In this sense, death meant the final end of existence. Jesus inferred death would not end existence for Lazarus or himself. No, even through sickness and death, people would praise God and his Son. Death would lead to new life.
Step B1: Prophecy about Raising Lazarus (11:8-16)
8 The disciples said to HIM, “Rabbi, the Jewish (leaders) just now sought to stone YOU and again (YOU) are going (back) there?” 9 JESUS responded, “Are there not twelve hours in a day? If anyone travels during the day, (he) does not stumble because (he) sees the light of this world. 10 If, however, someone journeys in the night , he trips (up) because the light is not in him.” 11 HE said these (things) and, after this, he said, “Lazarus, our brother, has fallen asleep but (I) am leaving so that (I) might waken him.” 12 Then, the disciples said to HIM, “LORD, if (he) fell asleep, (he) will wake up.” 13 However, JESUS spoke about his death but those (disciples) assumed that he spoke concerning the repose of sleep. 14 Then JESUS clearly said to them, “Lazarus has died 15 and I rejoice for you that (I) was not there so that you might believe. But (we ) should go to him.” 16 Thomas, the (one) being called Didymus, said to the other disciples, “We should go so we might die with him.”
11:9-10 “...he sees the light of this world” In the context of Jn 8:12, Jesus is referring to himself. If the disciple “walks by the light” (ie, has faith in Jesus), that person will live a righteous life (“not stumble”). If however he does not have “the light in him” (ie, lacks faith in Christ), he will “trip up” (have an immoral life).
11:14-15 Jesus extended the “daylight” metaphor from 11:9-10 to life in the Spirit and eternal life.
The disciples reacted out of fear. As a village close to the power center of the religious elites, its proximity presented a danger to Jesus [11:8]. But who was really in charge? Jesus responded with a mixed metaphor: daylight-nighttime comparison and the source of light. He was the light of the world; he guided the path of believers as if they traveled in daylight [11:9]. However, non-believers stumbled as if they made their way in the dark of night for they did not have the “light in them” (they lacked faith in Christ) [11:10].
Then Jesus shifted the metaphors to the death of Lazarus with a third metaphor, describing death as slumber [11:11]. But, like other encounters in John’s gospel, people only considered language in its most literal meaning (see John 6:33-34, 51-52, for example). So, he explained himself at their level. Lazarus was dead but the Lord could still minister even to the dead and provide a moment of faith [11:12-15].
Thomas tried to evoke the meaning of the metaphor. He wanted to partake in whatever Jesus had in store for Lazarus. But did he really understand? [11:16; see John 20:24-29]
Step C1: Doubts of Martha (11:17-24)
17 Coming (to Bethany) then, JESUS found him having been in the tomb already four days. 18 Now, Bethany was near Jerusalem, being about ten (plus) five stradion (distant). 19 So many of the Jewish (people) had come to Martha and Mary so (they) might console the (women) about (their) brother. 20 So, when she heard that Jesus was coming, Martha met HIM. But Mary sat at home. 21 Thus, Martha said to JESUS, "Lord, if you were here, my brother would not have died. 22 Even now I know that whatever (petitions) you ask God, God will give you." 23 JESUS told her, "Your brother will rise again." 24 Martha said to HIM, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day."
11:18 “ten (plus) five stradion (distant)” A stradios was a Greek measure of distance about 184 meters long. “ten plus five stradion” or 15 stadion was about two miles. The word “stradion” also referred to a race course from which we received the English word “stadium.”
11:19 “Jewish people” is literally “the Jews.” In the majority of John’s gospel, the term referred to the religious leaders but, in chapter eleven, it referred to common people.
11:20 "But Mary sat at home." Sitting was the traditional posture of mourning and comforting in the ancient world.
By the time Jesus arrived at Bethany, Lazarus had been buried for four days. [11:5, 17] Many Jewish rabbis held a soul hovered near the body for three days; beyond the third day, there was no hope of reviving the corpse.
When Martha heard Jesus was coming, she left her home (the customary place of grieving) to meet him. As she greeted Jesus, she believed in him only as a healer. Yes, placed her faith in Jesus and in his relationship with the Father. God still worked through Jesus. But, only if things were different...
When Jesus announced Lazarus would rise again, Martha responded with an answer many Jews at the time of Jesus held; Lazarus would indeed rise on the day of judgment. [11:21-24] She could not see beyond her assumptions.
Step D: Revelation of Jesus
and Martha's Response (11:25-27)
25 JESUS told her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The (person) trusting me, even if he should die, will live. 26 Everyone living and trusting me does not die in the (final) age. Do you believe this?" 27 "She said to HIM, "Yes, Lord! I have (and continue to) believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the One coming into the world."
11:26 "Everyone living and trusting me does not die in the (final) age." This sentence has two areas that need explanation. First, "living" could refer to physical life or spiritual life. In the first case, the translation could read "everyone living (today) and believing in me." In the second case, "living" and "believing" were synonymous.
"...does not die in the (final) age." The "(final) age" referred to the Second Coming and was equivalent to eternal life.
11:27 "You are the Christ, the Son of God, the One coming into the world." The three titles in this verse summarized the gospel writer's view of Jesus: the Messiah, the Son who had a unique relationship with God the Father, and the Word who came into the world.
Jesus revealed himself to Martha: "I AM the resurrection and the life." Just as he identified himself to the Samaritan woman in John 4:26, Jesus used the phrase "I AM" to denote his own divinity and his relationship to the Father. He was God and he was God's instrument.
Jesus directed his identity toward the subject at hand. "I AM the resurrection and the life." Those who entrust themselves to Jesus will never see spiritual death. In spite of physical death, they will always have life in Christ. (Perhaps, we should reverse the phrase. In Christ, we have eternal life now that will bring us to resurrection). In 11:23 Jesus inferred Lazarus had eternal life because he would be raised. Did Martha entrust herself to Jesus, so she, too, could have life? [11:25-26]
Yes, Martha believed. She saw Jesus was more than a mere healer. In Jesus, she experienced God. She professed Jesus to be the Messiah, the One promised in the Scripture. [11:27]
Step C2: Doubts of Mary and the Mourners (11:28-37)
28 Saying this, Martha went and told Mary, her sister, in private, saying, “The TEACHER is at hand and calls for you.” 29 When (she) heard this, (she) quickly rose and went (out) to HIM. 30 JESUS had not arrived in the village but was still in the place where Martha met HIM. 31 Then the Jewish (people), (those) being with her in the house and having consoled her, seeing that Martha quickly rose and left, (they) followed her, thinking that she left for the tomb in order to grieve there. 32 But when Martha went to where JESUS was, seeing HIM, fell at (HIS) feet, saying to HIM, “LORD, if you were here, my brother would not be dead.” 33 When JESUS saw her wailing and the Jewish (people) accompanying her (also) weeping, HE groaned (with anger) in (his) spirit and HIMSELF was troubled, 34 and (HE) said, "Where did you lay him?" They said to HIM, "LORD, come and see." 35 JESUS cried. 36 So, the Jews said, "See how much (JESUS) loved him!" 37 But some of them said, "Was this (MAN), the (one) opening the eyes of the blind (man), not able to make (it happen), so that even this (man) should not die?"
11:33 This verse is difficult to understand, especially considering the context. The Greek clearly showed that Jesus was angry. But at who? Jesus saw Martha and the others weeping in sincere and in ritual mourning. He reacted with anger and a troubled heart. Why did Jesus react in this way to a situation that was culturally appropriate? Was he angry at the crowd's lack of faith? Or was he angry at death itself? The verse and context do not explain. Yet, to translate the verse as "deeply moved" does not seem to do justice to the language. Angry and a troubled heart seemed to catapult to the question in 11:34 and the eventual resurrection of Lazarus (see 11:38).
11:35 Unlike the cultural wailing expressed in 11:33a, Jesus simply shed tears. (For you trivia buffs, this is the shortest verse in the Bible.)
Mary and the others did not understand. Their sorrow moved Jesus, but their immature faith possibly angered him (see 11:32 for Mary's reaction; 11:37 for the crowd's reaction). At this point, Jesus felt sorrow for the loss of his friend and indignation at the crowd. [11:33-37]
Step B2: Raising Lazarus (11:38-44)
38 Then, JESUS, again groaning (with anger) inside himself, came to the tomb, (which) was a cave and a stone was lying upon it. 39 JESUS said, "Lift (away) the stone!" Martha, the sister of the one having died, said to HIM, "LORD, he has a (death) stench now, for it is the fourth (day since his burial)." 40 JESUS said to her, "Did I not tell you that, if you trusted (me), you would see the glory of God?" 41 So, they lifted (away) the stone. Jesus lifted up (his) eyes and said, "Father! I thank you that you listen to me. 42 I know that you always listen to me, but I say (this) because of the crowd standing around (here), so that they might believe that you sent me." 43 After saying these (things) , he cried out in a loud voice, "Lazarus! (Come) out here!" 44 The (one) having died came out, (his) feet and hands having been bound with bandages and his face having been wrapped with a (head) cloth. JESUS said to them, "Untie him and let him go."
11:39 "for it is the fourth" The word "fourth" is an adjective that can refer to the day of the dialogue ("it is the fourth day") or to Lazarus ("he is a fourth day man"). The translation above used the former meaning.
11:43 "Lazarus! (Come) out here!" Jesus' command to Lazarus was literally two adverbs ("here out").
At the tomb, Jesus ordered the stone to the tomb rolled away. Martha objected with the obvious. There would be a stench. Jesus countered with question of faith. Instead of odor, Martha would see God's glory through eyes of faith. [11:39-41]
After the stone was removed, Jesus thanked the Father for their relationship. The Father (always) listened to Jesus. (He repeated the phrase "listen to me" twice). In Greek, "listen to" projected a sense outside of time, in the realm of the eternal. Throughout time, the Father heard the request of the Son. Jesus prayed, not for his own benefit, but for the faith of his audience. [11:41-42]
Jesus gave two orders: first, that Lazarus to come out and, second, that the crowd to untie his burial cloth. [11:43-44] In these two orders, Jesus showed his faith in the Father was certain. Those who trusted Jesus could share in that certainty. Those in Christ would have a life that led to resurrection.
Step A2: Epilogue: Reactions from the Event (11:45-54)
45 Then, many of the Jews, the ones having come to Mary and having seen what (HE) did, believed in HIM.
While this Sunday's reading ended with the faith of the witnesses [11:45], Step A2 would continue with the reactions in the Sanhedrin [11:46-54]. In John’s gospel, the resurrection of Lazarus became a turning point in the plot to eliminate Jesus as threat to the power of the religious leaders.
Catechism Themes: Christ's Resurrection and Ours (CCC 992-1004)
When he created humanity, God sowed the seeds of salvation, specifically, the resurrection. Over the time, we have come to realize God wants more for us, his creatures, than a transient nature. He wants us to live with him as he created us, body and soul.
As Christ rose from the dead, he became a sign of our destiny and a pledge of God's will for us. More important, when we join ourselves to Christ, we share in the power of his resurrection. Like the "here.. but not yet" nature of God's Kingdom, we experience rising from spiritual death every time we reconcile with Christ and join intimately with him in the Eucharist. Yet, our physical resurrection is to come.
"What is rising?" When we rise from the dead, we will be made permanently whole, body and spirit, never to die again.
"Who will rise?" The blessed will see God forever while the damned will eternally reject his presence.
"How?" We will rise in the same way Christ rose, through the same power of his resurrection. Our lowly bodies will become "spiritual." While we do not know the specifics of this new life, we can rest assured in the knowledge it will happen.
"When?" We will rise on the last day, when Christ will return to judge all humanity.
Because God will raise our bodies up on the last day, our bodies are the vessels of salvation. To show our faith in Christ, we wash our bodies in the waters of Baptism and nourish them with the Bread of Life at Eucharist. In these ways, our bodies partake in their future glory, here and now. Thus we should show respect to our bodies and to others', especially the weak and the suffering. And we should honor the bodies of the dead who live with the Lord.
How can faith strengthen you in your loss? Do you know of anyone who has lost a loved one and who has become stronger because of faith?
The loss of a loved one can bring despair in the loss, or it can bring hope found in the resurrection. Our hope depends upon our faith in Christ. Is our faith active, seeking a closer walk with the Lord? Or, is the Lord at a comfortable distance of our choosing? Remember, how we live reflects how we view death..
Does the idea of death inspire faith or doubt? Share your answer with the Lord in prayer.