John 11:39
Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Martha's objection isn't just about the grossness of a decaying body; it highlights a deeply ingrained cultural understanding that after four days, the soul had definitively departed and decomposition was irreversible, making the situation beyond hope. This detail emphasizes how far beyond natural possibility Jesus' command truly was, underscoring the sheer magnitude of the miracle to come.
Jesus has just arrived at the tomb of Lazarus, who has been dead for four days. He instructs the people present to remove the stone sealing the tomb, a request Martha, Lazarus's sister, tries to dissuade him from, reminding him that her brother's body will already be decaying. This moment reveals Martha's practical nature and struggle with doubt, even after Jesus had previously told her he was the resurrection and the life.
Imagine the scene: a stone sealing a tomb, a lingering odor, and a sister's cry of 'He stinks!'
Martha's words, 'Lord, by this time he stinketh, for he has been dead four days,' aren't just a statement of fact; they're a window into the struggle of faith. She'd already acknowledged Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life, but when faced with the undeniable reality of death—the four-day mark, the stench—her hope faltered.
Why make Martha and the others move the stone? Jesus didn’t need their help for the resurrection, right?
Jesus’ instruction, 'Take away the stone,' seems simple, but it’s a masterstroke of divine wisdom. He could have raised Lazarus without anyone touching the stone, but He chose a different path.
Understand the original words
kyrie · Greek Noun
A title acknowledging Jesus’ sovereign authority, divinity, and lordship, used here by Martha to express faith and submission.
The fact that Lazarus had been dead for four days was crucial, as Jewish tradition held that the soul lingered for three days, with decomposition beginning on the fourth. This detail emphasizes the undeniable reality of Lazarus' death and the magnitude of Jesus' miracle, countering any suggestion of mere suspended animation.
Early 1st century AD
Lazarus falls ill and dies
Lazarus of Bethany, a close friend of Jesus, falls sick and dies. His sisters, Mary and Martha, send word to Jesus.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Jesus arrives in Bethany
Jesus arrives in Bethany four days after Lazarus' death, finding Mary and Martha mourning.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead
Jesus commands the stone to be removed from Lazarus' tomb and calls him forth, demonstrating his power over death. This event causes many to believe in Jesus.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection
Jesus himself is crucified and resurrected, a foundational event for Christian faith.
This vision of dry bones coming to life parallels Jesus' power over death, illustrating God's ultimate authority to restore life even when all seems lost and decaying.
1 Kings 17:17-24The story of Elijah raising the widow's son shows a precedent of a prophet bringing back the dead, highlighting God's power working through His chosen ones, though this miracle is on a greater scale.
Luke 7:11-17This account of Jesus raising the widow of Nain's son is another instance of Jesus demonstrating compassion and power over death, showing a pattern of His ministry that directly confronts the finality of death.
John 11:23-27Jesus' earlier conversation with Martha about Himself being the resurrection and the life directly sets up this moment, emphasizing that the miracle is a demonstration of His divine identity and authority over death, not just a resuscitation.
Romans 8:11This verse speaks of the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwelling in believers, underscoring that the power displayed in raising Lazarus is the same life-giving power available to believers today.
jfbJohn 11:39: "Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days."
39-44. Jesus said, Take ye away the stone—spoken to the attendants of Martha and Mary; for it was a work of no little labor [Grotius]. According to the Talmudists, it was forbidden to open a grave after the stone was placed upon it. Besides other dangers, they were apprehensive of legal impurity by contact with the dead. Henc…
meyerJohn 11:39: "Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days."
John 11:39-40 . While Jesus called upon those present to take away the stone (which was done, as related in John 11:41 ), Mary waited in silent resignation. On Martha, however, with her mobile practical tendency, the command of Jesus, which was equivalent to a wish to see Lazarus, produced a terrifying effect. Her sisterly he…
Martha's objection isn't just about the grossness of a decaying body; it highlights a deeply ingrained cultural understanding that after four days, the soul had definitively departed and decomposition was irreversible, making the situation beyond hope. This detail emphasizes how far beyond natural possibility Jesus' command truly was, underscoring the sheer magnitude of the miracle to come.
Jesus has just arrived at the tomb of Lazarus, who has been dead for four days. He instructs the people present to remove the stone sealing the tomb, a request Martha, Lazarus's sister, tries to dissuade him from, reminding him that her brother's body will already be decaying. This moment reveals Martha's practical nature and struggle with doubt, even after Jesus had previously told her he was the resurrection and the life.
Jesus has just arrived at the tomb of Lazarus, who has been dead for four days. He instructs the people present to remove the stone sealing the tomb, a request Martha, Lazarus's sister, tries to dissuade him from, reminding him that her brother's body will already be decaying. This moment reveals Martha's practical nature and struggle with doubt, even after Jesus had previously told her he was the resurrection and the life.
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c. AD 30-33
Opposition to Jesus intensifies
The resurrection of Jesus, following the widely known resurrection of Lazarus, further fuels the opposition from religious leaders.
"Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.”" — Martha's objection isn't just about the grossness of a decaying body; it highlights a deeply ingrained cultural understanding that after four days, the soul had definitively departed and decompositio…
