John 11:5
Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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John 11:5
Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
While Jesus’s love for them is clear, the specific Greek word chosen here (agape) highlights a deep, deliberate affection, not just a casual fondness. This isn't merely Jesus feeling warm and fuzzy; it signifies a committed, discerning love based on the unique qualities of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, which motivated His actions even when He seemed to delay.
Jesus has just received word that his dear friend Lazarus is very sick, and the sisters Martha and Mary have sent for him, appealing to His love. Despite the urgency and the potential danger of returning to Judea, Jesus declares that this sickness will ultimately be for God's glory and to reveal the Son of God's power. This verse highlights Jesus' deep personal affection for the family, which is the underlying motivation for His eventual actions, even when His response isn't immediate.
When sickness strikes, we often question where God is. But what if God's love is the very reason He's engaged with us, even in the waiting?
The verse states simply, 'Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.' This isn't just a casual observation; it's foundational. John carefully chooses the word 'loved' here, which in the original Greek speaks of a deep, discerning, and committed affection. This wasn't just a fleeting feeling, but a profound choice. Think of it like the difference between liking a post online and making a lifelong commitment to someone.
This deep love is the underlying motive for Jesus’ actions, even when they don't seem immediate or understandable. It’s the 'why' behind His eventual response to Lazarus's illness. His love for them isn't based on their perfection, but on His own gracious will and their preciousness to Him. It's a love that sees, values, and acts, even when the path isn't clear to us.
Why does Jesus wait? It's a question that echoes through the ages. This verse offers a clue that seems counterintuitive: His love is precisely why He waits.
It might seem like Jesus' love for Martha, Mary, and Lazarus should have made Him rush to their side immediately when Lazarus fell ill. Yet, He waited. The ancient commentators noted this apparent tension. However, John uses this very fact to teach us a profound truth about God's timing:
Understand the original words
agapaō · Greek Verb
A term describing the highest form of selfless, sacrificial, and covenantal love; it is the nature of God's love toward His people, distinct from mere emotional affection.
This passage introduces Mary and Martha, highlighting Jesus' familiarity and acceptance within their home, which provides context for the deep affection Jesus held for them.
John 19:26When Jesus is on the cross, he entrusts his mother to the care of the 'disciple whom he loved.' This demonstrates Jesus' capacity for deep, personal affection and commitment to those he loves, mirroring the love expressed for Lazarus and his sisters.
Romans 8:38-39Paul's powerful declaration that nothing can separate believers from the love of God in Christ Jesus speaks to an unchanging, profound affection. This divine love underlies Jesus' personal attachment to Lazarus and his sisters, assuring their ultimate well-being.
1 John 4:7-8The Apostle John, who wrote this Gospel, directly connects love with God, stating that 'everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God' and that 'whoever does not love does not know God.' This emphasizes that Jesus' love for Lazarus is a reflection of God's own loving nature.
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…
henryJohn 11:1-6: "Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha."
11:1-6 It is no new thing for those whom Christ loves, to be sick; bodily distempers correct the corruption, and try the graces of God's people. He came not to preserve his people from these afflictions, but to save them from their sins, and from the wrath to come; however, it behoves us to apply to Him in behalf of our friends and relatives when sick and afflicted. Let this reconcile u…
While Jesus’s love for them is clear, the specific Greek word chosen here (agape) highlights a deep, deliberate affection, not just a casual fondness. This isn't merely Jesus feeling warm and fuzzy; it signifies a committed, discerning love based on the unique qualities of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, which motivated His actions even when He seemed to delay.
Jesus has just received word that his dear friend Lazarus is very sick, and the sisters Martha and Mary have sent for him, appealing to His love. Despite the urgency and the potential danger of returning to Judea, Jesus declares that this sickness will ultimately be for God's glory and to reveal the Son of God's power. This verse highlights Jesus' deep personal affection for the family, which is the underlying motivation for His eventual actions, even when His response isn't immediate.
Jesus has just received word that his dear friend Lazarus is very sick, and the sisters Martha and Mary have sent for him, appealing to His love. Despite the urgency and the potential danger of returning to Judea, Jesus declares that this sickness will ultimately be for God's glory and to reveal the Son of God's power. This verse highlights Jesus' deep personal affection for the family, which is the underlying motivation for His eventual actions, even when His response isn't immediate.
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"Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus." — While Jesus’s love for them is clear, the specific Greek word chosen here (agape) highlights a deep, deliberate affection, not just a casual fondness. This isn't merely Jesus feeling warm and fuzzy;…