John 11:13

John 11:13 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
• New International Version (NIV)Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.
• New King James Version (NKJV)However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep.
• New Living Translation (NLT)They thought Jesus meant Lazarus was simply sleeping, but Jesus meant Lazarus had died.

Context of John 11:13

11After saying these things, he said to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him." 12The disciples said to him, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover." Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. 14Then Jesus told them plainly, "Lazarus has died, 15and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him."

John 11:13 word by word

εἰρήκει δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς περὶ τοῦ θανάτου αὐτοῦ· ἐκεῖνοι δὲ ἔδοξαν ὅτι περὶ τῆς κοιμήσεως τοῦ ὕπνου λέγει.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Howbeitδέde · thenG1161
• Jesusὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• JesusἸησοῦςIēsous · JesusG2424
• spakeἐρῶereō · to sayG2046
• ofπερίperi · aboutG4012
• hisαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• deathθάνατοςthanatos · deathG2288
• theyἐκεῖνοςekeinos · thatG1565
• thoughtδοκέωdokeō · to thinkG1380
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• he had spokenλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• taking of restκοίμησιςkoimēsis · sleepG2838
• in sleepὕπνοςhupnos · sleepG5258

Commentaries on John 11:13

• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11-16Verses 11-16 Since we are sure to rise again at the last, why should not the believing hope of that resurrection to eternal life, make it as easy for us to put off the body and die, as it is to put off our clothes and go to sleep? A true Christian, when he dies, does but sleep; he rests from the labours of the past day. Nay, herein death is better than sleep, that sleep is only a short rest, but death is the end of earthly cares and toils. The disciples…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-57The resurrection of Lazarus points to the future death and resurrection of Jesus. The description of Lazarus’s tomb is similar to the description of the tomb Jesus was placed in after he died (11:38, 44; 20:1, 7). Both accounts mention a cave and burial cloths. These details connect the two events and help us see that Lazarus’s story is a sign. Soon after Lazarus was raised, a woman anointed Jesus for burial (12:3). This act prepared him for his coming…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 11-1611-16. Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go that I may wake him out of sleep--Illustrious title! "Our friend Lazarus." To Abraham only is it accorded in the Old Testament, and not till after his death, (2Ch 20:7; Is 41:8), to which our attention is called in the New Testament (Jas 2:23). When Jesus came in the flesh, His forerunner applied this name, in a certain sense, to himself (Joh 3:29); and into the same fellowship the Lord's chosen disciples are…Read the comment

Topics related to John 11:13

• Apostles
• Friendship
• Jesus, the Christ
• Lazarus
• Miracles

In the dictionaries

• Jesus
• Jesus, Jesus Christ, Christ Jesus
• Awake
• Lazarus
• Martha
• Mourn
• Bethany
• How
• Jesus Christ
• John, Gospel of

Commentaries on John 11

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings