John 11:27
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)
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Martha doesn't just say "yes" to Jesus' question; her confession, "I have believed," is a statement of a faith that’s already deeply rooted, not something newly formed in this moment. This shows her belief isn't just about Lazarus' resurrection, but a profound recognition of Jesus' identity and authority.
Jesus has just declared, "I am the resurrection and the life," challenging Martha to deepen her understanding of who He is beyond her immediate grief. This profound statement comes after Martha expressed her faith that her brother would rise again in the final resurrection, revealing a limited view of Christ's power. Martha's confession, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God," is her affirmation of His identity, moving from a belief in future resurrection to recognizing His present, life-giving authority.
Martha's words, 'Yes, Lord,' are more than a simple agreement. They represent a profound shift in her understanding and a deep trust that had been growing.
When Martha says, 'Yes, Lord,' she's not just acknowledging Jesus' question. The original language suggests a deep, abiding belief, like 'I have believed and continue to believe.'
A Foundation for Understanding
Her confession, 'I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world,' is built on a growing conviction. It's the bedrock upon which she can then grapple with Jesus' incredible claims about being the resurrection and the life.
What This Means for Us
Our faith isn't just a one-time decision; it's a continuous commitment. Like Martha, our belief in Jesus' identity as Christ and Son of God gives us the solid ground to trust His promises and understand His power, even when things seem impossible.
Martha's confession isn't just about who Jesus is, but about His purposeful arrival into the world. This 'coming' carries immense significance.
The phrase 'who is coming into the world' (or 'who was to come into the world' in some translations) points to the fulfillment of prophecy and the awaited Messiah. It signifies Jesus' divinely ordained mission.
The Anointed One's Purpose
By affirming Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, and the one coming into the world, Martha echoes the Old Testament expectation of a savior. This wasn't just a title; it was an acknowledgment of His unique role and authority to bring God's salvation.
Embracing the Mission
For Martha, this confession meant trusting that Jesus, the promised Messiah, had the power and authority to bring life and overcome death, not just in a future resurrection, but in the present moment.
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 comes at a pivotal moment. Jesus has just performed a profound miracle, raising her brother from the dead, yet tensions with religious authorities are escalating. Her confession anchors her hope not just in Jesus' power, but in His divine identity as the promised Christ, the Son of God, who is the very source of resurrection and eternal life.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead
Jesus arrives in Bethany to find Lazarus has been dead for four days. He raises Lazarus from the tomb, a powerful sign witnessed by many.
c. 30 AD
Jerusalem Authorities Hear of the Resurrection
News of Jesus raising Lazarus spreads, causing alarm among the religious leaders in Jerusalem. They fear Jesus' growing influence.
c. 30 AD
Jesus Departs Jerusalem Area
Following the resurrection of Lazarus and the growing opposition, Jesus withdraws to a region near the wilderness for a time.
c. 30 AD
Pharisees Convene to Plot Against Jesus
The Sanhedrin, led by Caiaphas, meets and decides that Jesus must be eliminated to prevent further disruption and Roman intervention.
This passage shows Peter making a similar, foundational confession of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, highlighting the core of saving belief that Martha echoes.
John 1:49Nathanael's confession, 'You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!' parallels Martha's, demonstrating an early recognition of Jesus' divine identity and kingly role.
John 14:6Jesus' declaration, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life,' directly informs Martha's belief; her confession of who Jesus is provides the basis for trusting His claims about resurrection and life.
Deuteronomy 18:15This Old Testament prophecy points to a coming prophet like Moses, whom God would raise up from among the people, aligning with Martha's belief that Jesus is the promised one 'who is coming into the world'.
John 20:31The Gospel writer states his purpose is that 'these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name,' directly linking Martha's confession to the ultimate aim of John's Gospel.
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 doesn't just say "yes" to Jesus' question; her confession, "I have believed," is a statement of a faith that’s already deeply rooted, not something newly formed in this moment. This shows her belief isn't just about Lazarus' resurrection, but a profound recognition of Jesus' identity and authority.
Jesus has just declared, "I am the resurrection and the life," challenging Martha to deepen her understanding of who He is beyond her immediate grief. This profound statement comes after Martha expressed her faith that her brother would rise again in the final resurrection, revealing a limited view of Christ's power. Martha's confession, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God," is her affirmation of His identity, moving from a belief in future resurrection to recognizing His present, life-giving authority.
Jesus has just declared, "I am the resurrection and the life," challenging Martha to deepen her understanding of who He is beyond her immediate grief. This profound statement comes after Martha expressed her faith that her brother would rise again in the final resurrection, revealing a limited view of Christ's power. Martha's confession, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God," is her affirmation of His identity, moving from a belief in future resurrection to recognizing His present, life-giving authority.
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c. 30 AD
Jesus Returns to Bethany
Jesus re-enters the vicinity of Jerusalem, coming back to Bethany where Lazarus, Martha, and Mary live, just days before Passover.
c. 30 AD
The Anointing at Bethany
Martha's sister, Mary, anoints Jesus with expensive perfume. This event occurs shortly before Jesus' final entry into Jerusalem.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey, acclaimed by crowds as a king. This fulfills prophecy and precedes his crucifixion.
"She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”" — Martha doesn't just say "yes" to Jesus' question; her confession, "I have believed," is a statement of a faith that’s already deeply rooted, not something newly formed in this moment. This shows her…
