John 11:4
But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus isn't just saying Lazarus won't die; he's saying the sickness won't have death as its final outcome. This subtle but powerful distinction reveals Jesus' perspective: even in what appears to be death, God's glory and the Son's glory are the ultimate purposes, turning a seemingly tragic event into an opportunity for divine revelation.
Jesus receives word that his dear friend Lazarus is gravely ill. Instead of immediately rushing to Bethany, Jesus tells his disciples that this sickness serves a divine purpose: it won't end in permanent death but will ultimately reveal God's glory and glorify His Son.
When Jesus heard Lazarus was sick, His first words weren't about comfort, but about purpose. What does it mean for a sickness to be 'not unto death'?
Jesus' statement, 'This sickness is not unto death,' doesn't deny the reality of Lazarus's physical decline. Instead, it redefines the outcome. It means the sickness will not have death as its final, irreversible end. Think of it as a dramatic pause, not a final curtain call.
A Divine Purpose
Jesus immediately connects this to a higher purpose: 'for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.' This means that even in suffering and what appears to be defeat, God can orchestrate events to reveal His power and majesty. Lazarus's illness, and even his death and resurrection, become a stage for God's glory to be displayed in an extraordinary way.
Jesus says the sickness is for the glory of God AND the Son of God. What does this reveal about their unity?
The phrase 'so that the Son of God may be glorified' points to a profound unity between the Father and the Son. Jesus isn't just a messenger of God's glory; He is intimately involved in its display and is Himself glorified in the process.
One Purpose, One Glory
When Jesus speaks of God's glory and His own glory, He's not presenting two separate things. John's Gospel consistently emphasizes their oneness. Whatever brings glory to the Father also brings glory to the Son, and vice versa. This miracle was intended to reveal not just God's power, but Jesus' own divine identity and authority as the Son of God.
Understand the original words
thanatos · Greek Noun
The state of physical existence ending in the cessation of life; spiritually, it is the result of sin, which Christ ultimately overcomes through His own resurrection.
doxa · Greek Noun
The manifestation of God's presence, majesty, and divine attributes to His creation; it is the ultimate aim of all creation and redemption.
Huios tou Theou · Greek Noun phrase
A title affirming Jesus’ unique, eternal relationship with the Father; it signifies His deity, divine origin, and role as the perfect representative of God to humanity.
This event occurs in the final year of Jesus' earthly ministry, when tensions with religious leaders are at their peak, making the public resurrection of Lazarus a potent, yet dangerous, act that hastens the plotting against Jesus' life.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Galilean Ministry
Jesus actively teaches, heals, and gathers disciples in the region of Galilee, drawing significant crowds and facing increasing opposition from religious authorities.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Ministry Expands to Judea
Jesus travels to Jerusalem and surrounding areas like Bethany for festivals and teaching, where he encounters increasing hostility, including attempts on his life.
c. AD 33— this verse
Lazarus Falls Ill
Lazarus, a close friend of Jesus residing in Bethany near Jerusalem, becomes gravely ill. His sisters, Mary and Martha, send word to Jesus.
c. AD 33
Jesus Delays His Journey
Despite hearing of Lazarus's illness, Jesus intentionally stays two more days where he is, before beginning the journey to Bethany. He states the illness is 'for the glory of God.'
Jesus directly states that some events happen 'so that the works of God may be displayed in him,' mirroring the idea that Lazarus's illness is for God's glory. This highlights a pattern in Jesus' ministry where difficult circumstances become the stage for divine power.
Romans 8:28This verse teaches that 'all things work together for good' for those who love God, which resonates with Jesus' understanding that Lazarus's sickness, though serious, would ultimately serve a divine purpose for glory. It shows God's sovereign hand even in suffering.
John 12:27-28Jesus prays, 'Father, glorify your name.' This echoes the sentiment in John 11:4 where Jesus seeks the glorification of both the Father and Himself through the events that unfold. It underscores Jesus' constant focus on God's honor.
Philippians 2:10-11The passage states that God highly exalted Jesus, 'so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow.' This connects to Jesus' statement that Lazarus's illness would lead to His own glorification, demonstrating how divine power and purpose lead to ultimate recognition and worship.
vincentJohn 11:4: "When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby."
Unto deathNot to have death as its final issue.For the glory (ὑπὲρ)Here, as elsewhere in John, in behalf of. Canon Westcott remarks: "The sickness is regarded in a triple relation; unto, in respect of the actual result; in behalf of, in respect of the suffering born; in order that, in respect of the divine purpose."
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…
Jesus isn't just saying Lazarus won't die; he's saying the sickness won't have death as its final outcome. This subtle but powerful distinction reveals Jesus' perspective: even in what appears to be death, God's glory and the Son's glory are the ultimate purposes, turning a seemingly tragic event into an opportunity for divine revelation.
Jesus receives word that his dear friend Lazarus is gravely ill. Instead of immediately rushing to Bethany, Jesus tells his disciples that this sickness serves a divine purpose: it won't end in permanent death but will ultimately reveal God's glory and glorify His Son.
Jesus receives word that his dear friend Lazarus is gravely ill. Instead of immediately rushing to Bethany, Jesus tells his disciples that this sickness serves a divine purpose: it won't end in permanent death but will ultimately reveal God's glory and glorify His Son.
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c. AD 33
Lazarus Dies and Is Buried
By the time Jesus arrives in Bethany, Lazarus has been dead and buried for four days. Martha and Mary express their grief and disappointment.
c. AD 33
Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead
Jesus commands the stone to be rolled away from Lazarus's tomb, prays, and calls Lazarus forth, who then comes out alive. This event causes many Jews to believe in Jesus.
c. AD 33
Pharisees Plot Against Jesus
The chief priests and Pharisees, alarmed by Jesus' growing popularity and the resurrection of Lazarus, hold a council and plot to kill Jesus.
"But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”" — Jesus isn't just saying Lazarus won't die; he's saying the sickness won't have death as its final outcome. This subtle but powerful distinction reveals Jesus' perspective: even in what appears to…
