John 11:42
I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus is showing us that his prayer wasn't just a private conversation with God, but a public declaration. He intentionally thanked the Father in front of everyone, not because he doubted God would hear him, but so the crowd would witness this intimate connection and understand that God had truly sent him.
Jesus has just prayed aloud to God before raising Lazarus from the dead, and now He explains the purpose of His prayer. He clarifies that His intimate connection with the Father meant He always knew His prayers were heard, but speaking aloud and giving thanks was for the benefit of the gathered crowd, so they would believe in His divine mission. This follows His profound emotional reaction to the grief surrounding Lazarus' death and His subsequent powerful command for Lazarus to come out of the tomb.
Jesus' prayer at Lazarus' tomb wasn't a plea from weakness, but a declaration of perfect unity. What does this reveal about His relationship with God?
When Jesus thanks the Father before raising Lazarus, He isn't asking for something He's unsure about. He states, “I knew that you always hear me.” This isn't a statement of faith in the making, but a reflection of His eternal, intimate relationship with the Father.
Unfailing Communion
Jesus’ certainty comes from His unique position as the Son. Their will is one, their purpose is one. He knows that whatever He asks aligns perfectly with the Father’s desires because He is sent by the Father to do the Father's will. This isn’t about Jesus needing reassurance; it’s about His constant, unbroken communion with God.
Assurance for Us
This intimate knowledge offers us incredible assurance. If the Father always hears Jesus, it means Jesus’ intercession for us is always effective. He advocates perfectly, His desires perfectly aligned with God's heart for us.
Jesus’ profound prayer wasn't just for His ears; it was a public performance. Why did He involve the crowd in this sacred moment?
Jesus makes it clear: 'I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.' His prayer and thanksgiving to the Father weren't primarily for His own spiritual benefit or even for Lazarus’ resurrection itself. They were strategic, public acts designed to draw belief from the onlookers.
A Divine Demonstration
The crowd consisted of a 'miscellaneous crowd' (Vincent), some perhaps skeptical Jews, others curious onlookers. Jesus knew they wouldn't fully grasp His divine identity just by seeing the miracle. By praying openly and thanking the Father, Jesus provided a witness to His connection with God. This public declaration was meant to authenticate His mission, showing that His power came directly from the One who sent Him.
Beyond the Miracle
Understand the original words
pisteuō · Greek Verb
The fundamental response of a person to the revelation of God in Christ; it involves trust, reliance, and commitment of one's whole self to Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God.
apostellō · Greek Verb
In the context of the New Testament, this signifies one sent by God with divine authority and a specific mission, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Jesus' prayer and thanksgiving were not just for his own assurance, but a public demonstration designed to foster belief in his divine mission among the crowds who witnessed the miraculous resurrection of Lazarus.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Public Ministry Begins
Jesus begins his public ministry, teaching, healing, and performing miracles throughout Galilee and Judea. This period is marked by growing crowds and increasing attention from Jewish religious authorities.
c. AD 30-33
Growing Opposition and Disbelief
As Jesus' ministry progresses, so does the opposition from religious leaders who question his authority and teachings. Many in the crowds witness his miracles but do not truly believe in his divine mission.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
The Raising of Lazarus
Jesus travels to Bethany and raises his friend Lazarus from the dead after he had been in the tomb for four days. This powerful sign deeply impacts those present, including Martha, Mary, and a significant number of Jewish visitors.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus Prays and Gives Thanks
Before raising Lazarus, Jesus offers a public prayer to God, thanking Him for always hearing Him. He explicitly states that he says this for the benefit of the surrounding crowd, so they will believe He was sent by God.
Jesus prays a similar prayer, 'Father, glorify your name,' and hears a divine voice confirming His identity, demonstrating the ongoing relationship Jesus has with the Father and the purpose of His public declarations.
Matthew 17:5During the transfiguration, a voice from heaven declares, 'This is my beloved Son; with him I am well pleased,' directly attesting to Jesus' divine mission, much like the crowds witnessed at Lazarus' resurrection.
John 5:19Jesus explains His unique relationship with the Father, stating, 'The Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing,' which echoes His understanding that the Father always hears Him and the divine will behind His actions.
John 14:10-11Jesus tells His disciples that the words He speaks are not His own but from the Father who dwells in Him, reinforcing the idea that His prayers and actions are always in perfect alignment with the Father's will.
vincentJohn 11:42: "And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me."
The people (τὸν ὄχλον)In view of the distinction which John habitually makes between the Jews and the multitude, the use of the latter term here is noticeable, since Jews occurs at John 11:19, John 11:31, John 11:36. It would seem to indicate that a miscellaneous crowd had gathered. Rev., the multitude. See on John 1:19.
gillJohn 11:42: "And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me."
And I knew that thou hearest me always,.... Which was not only a support to the faith of Christ, as man, but is also to his people, whose advocate, intercessor, and mediator he is. But because of the people which stand by, I said it; that he was heard, and always heard by God; and, therefore must have great interest in his affection, and knowled…
Jesus is showing us that his prayer wasn't just a private conversation with God, but a public declaration. He intentionally thanked the Father in front of everyone, not because he doubted God would hear him, but so the crowd would witness this intimate connection and understand that God had truly sent him.
Jesus has just prayed aloud to God before raising Lazarus from the dead, and now He explains the purpose of His prayer. He clarifies that His intimate connection with the Father meant He always knew His prayers were heard, but speaking aloud and giving thanks was for the benefit of the gathered crowd, so they would believe in His divine mission. This follows His profound emotional reaction to the grief surrounding Lazarus' death and His subsequent powerful command for Lazarus to come out of the tomb.
Jesus has just prayed aloud to God before raising Lazarus from the dead, and now He explains the purpose of His prayer. He clarifies that His intimate connection with the Father meant He always knew His prayers were heard, but speaking aloud and giving thanks was for the benefit of the gathered crowd, so they would believe in His divine mission. This follows His profound emotional reaction to the grief surrounding Lazarus' death and His subsequent powerful command for Lazarus to come out of the tomb.
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Jesus’ purpose extended beyond the immediate miracle. He wanted the people to believe in His divine authority – that He wasn't just a powerful man, but the Son of God. The prayer became a signpost, pointing them to the Father and affirming Jesus as God’s chosen messenger.
c. AD 30-33
Lazarus Comes Forth
Jesus calls Lazarus out of the tomb, and he is resurrected and comes out, still bound in his grave clothes. This undeniable miracle further solidifies the evidence of Jesus' divine power and authority.
c. AD 30-33
Belief and Increased Hostility
While many witnesses to the raising of Lazarus come to believe in Jesus, the event also intensifies the resolve of the religious leaders to arrest and kill him, fearing his growing influence.
"I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.”" — Jesus is showing us that his prayer wasn't just a private conversation with God, but a public declaration. He intentionally thanked the Father in front of everyone, not because he doubted God would h…
