John 11:38-44
Lazarus Comes Out
Read the passage
38Jesus, once again deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance.
39“Take away the stone,” Jesus said. “Lord, by now he stinks,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man. “It has already been four days.”
40Jesus replied, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”
41So they took away the stone. Then Jesus lifted His eyes upward and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.
42I knew that You always hear Me, but I say this for the benefit of the people standing here, so they may believe that You sent Me.”
43After Jesus had said this, He called out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”
44The man who had been dead came out with his hands and feet bound in strips of linen, and his face wrapped in a cloth. “Unwrap him and let him go,” Jesus told them.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Jesus comes to Lazarus's tomb, deeply moved. It is a cave with a stone across the entrance. When He tells them to remove the stone, Martha objects: her brother has been dead for four days, and there will be a smell. Her words leave no room to mistake this for someone waking from a brief illness.
Jesus reminds her of His promise that she will see God's glory if she believes. They remove the stone, and He thanks the Father for hearing Him. He explains why He is praying aloud: He wants those standing there to believe the Father sent Him. The prayer directs their attention to the relationship between Father and Son before they see what happens.
Jesus calls, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man comes out, still wrapped in burial linen. Jesus tells the people, “Unwrap him and let him go.” They can remove the cloths, but only Jesus has called Lazarus back to life. Their practical help follows His saving command.
The sign gives a visible answer to the sorrow and questions that have filled the chapter. Jesus has wept with the mourners, and now His voice reaches the man they have buried. His compassion does not come from helplessness. The One who shares their grief also has authority over death.
Questions
1 Why does Martha object to removing the stone?
AnswerLazarus has been dead for four days, and she expects a smell. She is facing the reality of her brother's death.
2 Why does Jesus pray aloud?
AnswerHe says it is for the benefit of those standing there, so they may believe the Father sent Him. He already knows the Father hears Him.
3 What happens when Jesus calls Lazarus?
AnswerLazarus comes out alive, still wrapped in strips of linen and a face cloth. Jesus then tells the people to unwrap him and let him go.
4 What can we learn from the different work Jesus and the people do?
AnswerJesus gives life; the people provide the help He tells them to give. We can depend on His power while doing the ordinary, useful things within our reach.
What This Means for Us
This account gives us reason to trust Jesus with death itself. It does not promise that every person we pray for will return to life now. The sign reveals who He is, so we can bring Him the fears and losses we cannot overcome ourselves.
Trust also leaves room for practical help. Someone who is grieving may need a meal, a ride, or company through a difficult appointment. We do not have to fix everything before doing what is useful. Ask what is needed and follow through.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, Your voice called Lazarus from the grave. Help us trust You with what we cannot change. Comfort those who grieve, strengthen our hope in You, and make us ready to offer the practical help You put within our reach. Amen.