She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Martha's bold declaration isn't just a simple "yes"; the Greek verb she uses, "I have believed," points to a deep, settled conviction. This isn't a newfound faith, but a confident assertion that her ongoing trust in Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, means she can believe His extraordinary claims about resurrection and life. She's grounding her present hope in who He is, not just what she wants Him to do.
She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just declared, "I am the resurrection and the life," and asked Martha if she believes this profound statement. Martha responds with a resounding "Yes, Lord," affirming her deep conviction that Jesus is the promised Messiah, the Son of God, who has come into the world. This confession solidifies her faith, setting the stage for the monumental miracle to come.
Martha rushed out to meet Jesus, but her initial words reveal a mix of deep trust and lingering doubt. What does it take to move from acknowledging Jesus' power to truly believing in His divine identity?
Martha’s initial interaction with Jesus after Lazarus' death shows a woman wrestling with grief and understanding. She states, 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died,' expressing both a wish and a gentle rebuke.
Jesus responds by revealing His identity: 'I am the resurrection and the life.' He then asks Martha a crucial question: 'Do you believe this?'
Martha’s response, 'Yes, Lord,' is an affirmation. But the verse goes deeper. She doesn't just say 'yes'; she confesses her faith in Jesus' true nature: 'I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.'
This confession is powerful. It’s not just about believing Jesus could do something; it’s about believing who He is. This is the foundation for all of Jesus’ mighty works.
Martha declares Jesus 'who is coming into the world.' What does this seemingly simple phrase reveal about the unfolding of God's plan and our faith within it?
The phrase 'who is coming into the world' (or 'who comes into the world') carries a significant weight in John’s Gospel. It speaks to a tension between the already present reality of Jesus and the not yet full consummation of His kingdom.
The Present Reality: Jesus is . He is actively ministering, performing miracles, and revealing God’s nature. Martha's faith, even with its struggles, is rooted in this present reality she has witnessed.
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The Future Hope: The title also points to the promised Messiah, the one whose coming was anticipated and who would bring ultimate redemption. Martha’s confession, echoing Old Testament prophecies, looks forward to this complete fulfillment.
This duality is crucial for our faith. We believe in Jesus who is already our Lord and Savior, working in our lives now. Yet, we also hold onto the hope of His return and the final restoration of all things. Martha’s confession bridges these two dimensions of faith.
Understand the original words
Christos · Greek Noun
The promised Anointed One of God, the King and Savior of Israel and the world, who fulfills the messianic prophecies of the Old Testament.
huios tou Theou · Greek Noun
A title designating Jesus’ unique divine nature, authority, and intimacy with the Father, affirming His deity and status as the incarnate God.
kyrios · Greek Noun
A title of supreme authority, majesty, and divinity, often used to address God or the exalted Jesus as the sovereign Master and ruler over one's life.
Martha's declaration is made in the immediate aftermath of Jesus raising her brother from the dead, a powerful sign that underscores her newfound, explicit faith in Him as the promised Messiah.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead
Jesus arrives in Bethany, mourned by Martha, Mary, and many Jewish visitors. He raises Lazarus, who had been dead for four days, a powerful miracle performed near Jerusalem.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' growing popularity and conflict with authorities
Jesus' miracles, especially the raising of Lazarus, drew significant attention, increasing both faith in Him and hostility from religious leaders who feared His influence.
c. 30-33 AD
Jesus' final journey to Jerusalem
Following the event at Bethany, Jesus makes His final public entry into Jerusalem, leading to His arrest, trial, and crucifixion.
c. 30 AD
Jewish leaders conspire against Jesus
The chief priests and Pharisees, alarmed by Jesus' growing following and the miracle of Lazarus, formally plot to arrest and kill Jesus.
This passage records Peter's similar confession of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, highlighting this as a foundational belief for all who follow Jesus.
John 1:49Nathanael's confession of Jesus as 'the King of Israel' and 'Son of God' parallels Martha's declaration, showing an early recognition of Jesus' divine identity.
1 John 5:1This verse connects belief in Jesus as the Christ with belief in God, emphasizing that accepting Jesus' identity is a direct act of faith in God himself.
John 14:6Jesus declares 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life,' which Martha's confession of him as the Christ and Son of God directly relates to, as believing in him leads to life.
Luke 2:11The angel's announcement of Jesus' birth as 'Christ the Lord' spoken in Bethlehem echoes Martha's confession, linking the promised Messiah to the Son of God who has come into the world.
vincentJohn 11:27: "She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world."
I believe (πεπίστευκα)Literally, I have believed. The perfect tense. So Rev. Martha goes back to her previous belief, which consists in the recognition of Christ as her Lord. Whatever faith she has in this new revelation of Christ rests upon the truth that He is the Anointed, the Son of God, even He that cometh into the world.
calvinJohn 11:18-27: "Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:"
- Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs. 19. And many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. 20. When Martha, therefore, heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home. 21. Martha then said to Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother would not have died. 22. But I know that even now, whatsoever thou shalt ask of God, Go…
Martha's bold declaration isn't just a simple "yes"; the Greek verb she uses, "I have believed," points to a deep, settled conviction. This isn't a newfound faith, but a confident assertion that her ongoing trust in Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, means she can believe His extraordinary claims about resurrection and life. She's grounding her present hope in who He is, not just what she wants Him to do.
Jesus has just declared, "I am the resurrection and the life," and asked Martha if she believes this profound statement. Martha responds with a resounding "Yes, Lord," affirming her deep conviction that Jesus is the promised Messiah, the Son of God, who has come into the world. This confession solidifies her faith, setting the stage for the monumental miracle to come.
Jesus has just declared, "I am the resurrection and the life," and asked Martha if she believes this profound statement. Martha responds with a resounding "Yes, Lord," affirming her deep conviction that Jesus is the promised Messiah, the Son of God, who has come into the world. This confession solidifies her faith, setting the stage for the monumental miracle to come.
"She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”" — Martha's bold declaration isn't just a simple "yes"; the Greek verb she uses, "I have believed," points to a deep, settled conviction. This isn't a newfound faith, but a confident assertion that her…
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Last reviewed October 2026