After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus’ tender phrase "our friend Lazarus" highlights that even in the face of death, Lazarus wasn't just a subject for a miracle, but someone deeply loved by Jesus and, he implies, by the disciples too. By calling Lazarus's death a "sleep," Jesus subtly frames it not as an end, but as a temporary state from which He has the power to "awaken" him.
After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just told his disciples that Lazarus is ill, but then immediately shifts to announce he’s going back to Judea, a place they know is dangerous for him. He’s framing Lazarus’s death not as an ending, but as a temporary sleep that he intends to wake him from, using tender language and referring to Lazarus as "our friend" to draw them in. The disciples, misunderstanding his metaphorical language, focus on the "sleep" aspect, assuming Lazarus will recover on his own and trying to dissuade Jesus from the perilous journey.
Jesus faced a deeply emotional situation – the death of a dear friend. How did He choose to describe such a profound loss?
Jesus uses the gentle metaphor of 'sleep' to describe Lazarus's death. This isn't just a poetic choice; it's a deliberate act of comfort and theological truth.
A Familiar Jewish Expression
The Jewish people often referred to death as 'sleep.' This was more than just a euphemism; it reflected a deep belief in the soul's immortality and the eventual resurrection of the body. It was a way to speak of death without the stark finality that often accompanies it.
Jesus' Tender Approach
Jesus, knowing Lazarus had died, could have said, 'Lazarus is dead.' But He chose a softer, less jarring phrase for His disciples. This shows His sensitivity to their feelings and His desire to ease their distress. It highlights His compassionate nature even in the face of sorrow.
The Promise of Resurrection
This 'sleep' is not eternal. The word 'sleep' in Scripture often carries the implication of waking up. For believers, death is not an end but a rest, preceding a glorious resurrection. Jesus' use of 'sleep' points to His ultimate power to 'awaken' Lazarus, signifying His authority over death itself.
How did Jesus know Lazarus had died, and why didn't He just state it plainly?
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Jesus' statement about Lazarus reveals two profound attributes: His divine omniscience and His remarkable modesty.
All-Knowing Awareness
Jesus possessed an immediate, direct knowledge of Lazarus's death, despite being miles away. He didn't need a messenger or any human report. This supernatural awareness demonstrates His divine nature and His intimate connection with all things, even the intimate moments of His friends' lives.
Humble, Powerful Declaration
Instead of declaring with grandiosity, 'Lazarus is dead, and I will raise him,' Jesus used understated language. He spoke of going to 'awaken him.' This choice shows incredible humility. He avoided ostentation, choosing simple, gentle terms that were less shocking and less boastful, yet carrying the full weight of His omnipotent power to conquer death.
Why did Jesus' disciples completely miss His point, and what does this tell us about spiritual understanding?
The disciples' inability to grasp Jesus' meaning regarding Lazarus highlights a common human tendency to interpret things literally, especially when our own comfort or safety is at stake.
Literal Interpretation
When Jesus said Lazarus was 'sleeping,' the disciples took Him at His word, thinking Lazarus was merely resting and would recover. This literal interpretation stemmed from their understanding of sleep as a sign of healing, not death. They even pointed out that if he was sleeping, 'he will get well,' suggesting no immediate need for their journey.
The Impact of Fear and Comfort
This misunderstanding wasn't just a simple error; it was colored by their fear of returning to Judea, a place where they had recently faced threats. The idea of Lazarus simply sleeping meant their dangerous journey might be unnecessary. They clung to the literal meaning that served their desire to avoid peril, completely missing the deeper, spiritual reality Jesus intended.
A Lesson in Discernment
Jesus often spoke in parables and metaphors, requiring His followers to listen not just with their ears, but with their hearts and minds attuned to the Spirit. Their failure to discern Jesus' true meaning shows that spiritual insight often requires moving beyond surface-level understanding and trusting Jesus' deeper intentions, even when the path He sets before us seems perilous.
Understand the original words
koimaō · Greek Verb
To cease from physical life; the separation of the soul from the body. In a biblical context, it is the result of sin and the consequence of the Fall, yet for the believer, it is not the final end but a transition to be with Christ.
Jesus' use of 'fallen asleep' for death was a tender, symbolic way to speak of Lazarus's death, reflecting a common Jewish understanding of death as a temporary state before resurrection, and a way to ease the news to his disciples.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee and Perea
Jesus was actively ministering, teaching, and performing miracles throughout Galilee and Perea. His disciples were accustomed to traveling with him and witnessing his power.
Early 1st century AD
Lazarus Falls Ill
Lazarus, a close friend of Jesus living in Bethany, becomes seriously ill. His sisters, Mary and Martha, send word to Jesus.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus Delays His Journey
Despite hearing of Lazarus's illness, Jesus intentionally delays his departure for Bethany, stating the illness will not end in death but is for God's glory.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Lazarus Dies and Is Buried
Lazarus succumbs to his illness and is buried in a tomb. This marks the point at which Jesus refers to Lazarus as having 'fallen asleep'.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus Travels to Bethany
After Lazarus has been dead for four days, Jesus finally travels to Bethany and encounters Martha and Mary.
Early 1st century AD
The Raising of Lazarus
Jesus dramatically raises Lazarus from the dead, calling him out of the tomb and restoring him to his sisters. This event profoundly impacts many who witness it.
This passage emphasizes that for believers, death is like falling asleep, with the promise of a future resurrection, mirroring Jesus' gentle description of Lazarus's state.
1 Thessalonians 4:14Similar to John 11:11, this verse uses the metaphor of sleep for believers who have died, offering comfort and the assurance of God's care and the certainty of resurrection.
Matthew 9:24Here, Jesus also uses the metaphor of sleep for death when raising a young girl, showing His consistent tender language and His power over death, just as He would with Lazarus.
Psalm 17:15This verse speaks of awakening from sleep to behold God's face, which echoes the hope inherent in Jesus' statement about awakening Lazarus, pointing towards a future awakening in God's presence.
vincentJohn 11:11: "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."
Sleepeth (κεκοίμηται)More correctly, as Rev., hath fallen asleep. See on Acts 7:60; see on 2 Peter 3:4.Awake him out of sleep (ἐξυπνίσω αὐτόν)Only here in the New Testament.
henryJohn 11:11-16: "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."
11:11-16 Since we are sure to rise again at the last, why should not the believing hope of that resurrection to eternal life, make it as easy for us to put off the body and die, as it is to put off our clothes and go to sleep? A true Christian, when he dies, does but sleep; he rests from the labours of the past day. Nay, herein death is better than…
Jesus’ tender phrase "our friend Lazarus" highlights that even in the face of death, Lazarus wasn't just a subject for a miracle, but someone deeply loved by Jesus and, he implies, by the disciples too. By calling Lazarus's death a "sleep," Jesus subtly frames it not as an end, but as a temporary state from which He has the power to "awaken" him.
Jesus has just told his disciples that Lazarus is ill, but then immediately shifts to announce he’s going back to Judea, a place they know is dangerous for him. He’s framing Lazarus’s death not as an ending, but as a temporary sleep that he intends to wake him from, using tender language and referring to Lazarus as "our friend" to draw them in. The disciples, misunderstanding his metaphorical language, focus on the "sleep" aspect, assuming Lazarus will recover on his own and trying to dissuade Jesus from the perilous journey.
Jesus has just told his disciples that Lazarus is ill, but then immediately shifts to announce he’s going back to Judea, a place they know is dangerous for him. He’s framing Lazarus’s death not as an ending, but as a temporary sleep that he intends to wake him from, using tender language and referring to Lazarus as "our friend" to draw them in. The disciples, misunderstanding his metaphorical language, focus on the "sleep" aspect, assuming Lazarus will recover on his own and trying to dissuade Jesus from the perilous journey.
"After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.”" — Jesus’ tender phrase "our friend Lazarus" highlights that even in the face of death, Lazarus wasn't just a subject for a miracle, but someone deeply loved by Jesus and, he implies, by the disciples t…
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Last reviewed October 2026