John 11:3
So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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John 11:3
So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This message is remarkably concise; the sisters don't explicitly ask Jesus to come or heal Lazarus. Instead, they simply state the situation, trusting that His love for Lazarus is motive enough for Him to act.
Jesus’ dear friends, Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, live in Bethany, a village near Jerusalem where His enemies are actively seeking to harm Him. When Lazarus falls gravely ill, Martha and Mary send an urgent message to Jesus, not with a direct plea for help, but simply stating, "Lord, he whom you love is ill." They are hoping Jesus will return to them, implicitly believing He can heal their brother or at least offer comfort in their distress.
Why didn't Mary and Martha just say, 'Jesus, please come heal Lazarus!'? Their message is short, but packed with meaning.
In John 11:3, the sisters' message, 'Lord, he whom you love is ill,' is a masterclass in expressing need without demanding. They don't explicitly ask Jesus to come or to heal.
The Power of Implication
Instead, they state a fact that they believe will move Jesus: Lazarus is the one Jesus loves. This implies their request: 'Because you love him, we believe you will want to know and will act.' It's a plea rooted in their knowledge of Jesus' affection.
A Whisper, Not a Shout
This approach reveals a deep trust. They believe Jesus' love for Lazarus is motive enough. It’s a gentle, almost silent communication of need, trusting that the bond of affection is understood and will prompt a response. It’s like a child knowing just how to get their parent’s attention – not by shouting, but by a knowing look or a simple statement.
When Lazarus was sick, his sisters didn't just see illness; they saw an opportunity rooted in Jesus' love.
The phrase 'he whom you love' (using the Greek word 'phileis') isn't just a description; it's the bedrock of their hope. They weren't just sending news; they were sending a message of expectation.
Jesus' Affection is Key
This specific wording highlights that their confidence in Jesus' intervention stemmed directly from His known affection for Lazarus and his family. They knew Jesus had special, personal friendships (as noted in Luke 10:38-42), and they were leveraging that intimate knowledge.
The 'Why' Behind Their Plea
Calvin points out that this reliance on God's love is the 'invariable rule of praying aright.' When we know God loves us, we can approach Him with confident hope, even in the face of sickness and distress. Their message was a quiet affirmation: 'You love him, therefore, something must be done.'
The sisters' simple message reveals their deep trust in Jesus' affection and power, even while navigating the dangerous political climate that made Jesus' return to Judea perilous.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Ministry in Jerusalem
Jesus' popularity is high, but so is the opposition from religious leaders, who had recently attempted to stone him. The disciples are fearful for their safety.
c. AD 30— this verse
Lazarus Falls Ill
Lazarus, a close friend of Jesus, becomes gravely ill in Bethany, a village near Jerusalem. His sisters, Mary and Martha, are deeply concerned.
c. AD 30
Jesus Delays His Return
Despite the urgent message, Jesus deliberately stays two more days in his current location, Perea, east of the Jordan River. He knows Lazarus is near death but intends a greater purpose.
c. AD 30
Journey to Bethany
Jesus eventually decides to travel to Bethany to see Lazarus, despite his disciples' warnings about the danger from the religious authorities in Judea.
This passage highlights Jesus' close relationship with the family of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary, showing He enjoyed their hospitality and affection, paralleling the intimate connection implied when the sisters mention Lazarus is the one Jesus 'loves'.
John 5:20This verse speaks to the deep connection and shared life between the Father and the Son, reflecting the profound love and intimacy described between Jesus and Lazarus' family in John 11.
Romans 8:28This verse assures believers that all things work together for good for those who love God, offering a theological framework for understanding how even a friend's serious illness, and Jesus' response, ultimately served a greater purpose for God's glory and His loved ones.
Philippians 2:5-8This passage describes Jesus' humble love and self-emptying, which is the ultimate expression of divine love, providing a backdrop for understanding the depth of Jesus' affection for Lazarus and His willingness to engage with suffering.
barnesJohn 11:3: "Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick."
Whom thou lovest - John 11:5 . The members of this family were among the few special and intimate friends of our Lord. He was much with them, and showed them marks of special friendship Luke 10:38-42 , and they bestowed upon him special proofs of affection in return. This shows that special attachments are lawful for Christians, and that those friendships are especially lovely which are tempered…
calvinJohn 11:1-10: "Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha."
- And one named Lazarus was sick. The Evangelist passes on to another narrative, which contains a miracle eminently worthy of being recorded. For not only did Christ give a remarkable proof of his Divine power in raising Lazarus, but he likewise placed before our eyes a lively image of our future resurrection. This might indeed be said to be the latest and concluding action of his lif…
This message is remarkably concise; the sisters don't explicitly ask Jesus to come or heal Lazarus. Instead, they simply state the situation, trusting that His love for Lazarus is motive enough for Him to act.
Jesus’ dear friends, Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, live in Bethany, a village near Jerusalem where His enemies are actively seeking to harm Him. When Lazarus falls gravely ill, Martha and Mary send an urgent message to Jesus, not with a direct plea for help, but simply stating, "Lord, he whom you love is ill." They are hoping Jesus will return to them, implicitly believing He can heal their brother or at least offer comfort in their distress.
Jesus’ dear friends, Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, live in Bethany, a village near Jerusalem where His enemies are actively seeking to harm Him. When Lazarus falls gravely ill, Martha and Mary send an urgent message to Jesus, not with a direct plea for help, but simply stating, "Lord, he whom you love is ill." They are hoping Jesus will return to them, implicitly believing He can heal their brother or at least offer comfort in their distress.
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c. AD 30
Jesus Raises Lazarus
Upon arriving at Bethany, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead after he had been buried for four days, demonstrating His divine power over death.
"So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.”" — This message is remarkably concise; the sisters don't explicitly ask Jesus to come or heal Lazarus. Instead, they simply state the situation, trusting that His love for Lazarus is motive enough for H…