John 11:38–44
The Resurrection speaks, and death obeys.
38 Jesus therefore, again groaning in himself, came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone lay against it.
39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”
40 Jesus said to her, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed, you would see God’s glory?”
41 So they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, “Father, I thank you that you listened to me.
42 I know that you always listen to me, but because of the multitude standing around I said this, that they may believe that you sent me.”
43 When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”
44 He who was dead came out, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Free him, and let him go.”
The Resurrection speaks, and death obeys.
To reveal Jesus’ divine authority over death and display the glory of God through resurrection power.
This sign fulfills Jesus' earlier declaration (11:4, 25-26). It is the seventh major sign in John and directly leads to the Sanhedrin's decision to kill Jesus (11:53). It serves as both revelation and provocation.
First-century Jewish burials involved placing the body in a tomb sealed by a stone. After four days decomposition would be evident. The public nature of burial meant many witnesses were present.
The Resurrection and the Life, the Raising of Lazarus, and the Plot to Kill Jesus
Jesus is the resurrection and the life whose glory is revealed in raising Lazarus, yet that life-giving sign becomes the catalyst for his own death on behalf of the people of God.