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Selected Verse: John 11:11 - King James

Verse	Translation	Text
Joh 11:11	King James	These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
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, (Ch2 20:7; Isa 41:8), to which our attention is called in the New Testament (Jam 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 declared to have come (Joh 15:13-15). "The phrase here employed, "our friend Lazarus," means more than "he whom Thou lovest" in Joh 11:3, for it implies that Christ's affection was reciprocated by Lazarus" [LAMPE]. Our Lord had been told only that Lazarus was "sick." But the change which his two days' delay had produced is here tenderly alluded to. Doubtless, His spirit was all the while with His dying, and now dead "friend." The symbol of "sleep" for death is common to all languages, and familiar to us in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, however, a higher meaning is put into it, in relation to believers in Jesus (see on Th1 4:14), a sense hinted at, and clearly, in Psa 17:15 [LUTHARDT]; and the "awaking out of sleep" acquires a corresponding sense far transcending bare resuscitation.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

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, (Ch2 20:7; Isa 41:8), to which our attention is called in the New Testament (Jam 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 declared to have come (Joh 15:13-15). "The phrase here employed, "our friend Lazarus," means more than "he whom Thou lovest" in Joh 11:3, for it implies that Christ's affection was reciprocated by Lazarus" [LAMPE]. Our Lord had been told only that Lazarus was "sick." But the change which his two days' delay had produced is here tenderly alluded to. Doubtless, His spirit was all the while with His dying, and now dead "friend." The symbol of "sleep" for death is common to all languages, and familiar to us in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, however, a higher meaning is put into it, in relation to believers in Jesus (see on Th1 4:14), a sense hinted at, and clearly, in Psa 17:15 [LUTHARDT]; and the "awaking out of sleep" acquires a corresponding sense far transcending bare resuscitation.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
Lazarus sleepeth - Is dead. The word "sleep" is applied to death, 1. Because of the resemblance between them, as sleep is the "kinsman of death." In this sense it is often used by pagan writers. 2. However, in the Scriptures it is used to intimate that death will not be final: that there will be an awaking out of this sleep, or a resurrection. It is a beautiful and tender expression, removing all that is dreadful in death, and filling the mind with the idea of calm repose after a life of toil, with a reference to a future resurrection in increased vigor and renovated powers. In this sense it is applied in the Scriptures usually to the saints, Co1 11:30; Co1 15:51; Th1 4:14; Th1 5:10; Mat 9:24.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

Lazarus sleepeth - Is dead. The word "sleep" is applied to death,

1. Because of the resemblance between them, as sleep is the "kinsman of death." In this sense it is often used by pagan writers.

2. However, in the Scriptures it is used to intimate that death will not be final: that there will be an awaking out of this sleep, or a resurrection. It is a beautiful and tender expression, removing all that is dreadful in death, and filling the mind with the idea of calm repose after a life of toil, with a reference to a future resurrection in increased vigor and renovated powers. In this sense it is applied in the Scriptures usually to the saints, Co1 11:30; Co1 15:51; Th1 4:14; Th1 5:10; Mat 9:24.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Sleepeth (κεκοίμηται) More correctly, as Rev., hath fallen asleep. See on Act 7:60; see on Pe2 3:4. Awake him out of sleep (ἐξυπνίσω αὐτόν) Only here in the New Testament.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]

Sleepeth (κεκοίμηται)

More correctly, as Rev., hath fallen asleep. See on Act 7:60; see on Pe2 3:4.

Awake him out of sleep (ἐξυπνίσω αὐτόν)

Only here in the New Testament.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Our friend Lazarus sleepeth - This he spoke, just when he died. Sleepeth - Such is the death of good men in the language of heaven. But the disciples did not yet understand this language. And the slowness of our understanding makes the Scripture often descend to our barbarous manner of speaking.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]

Our friend Lazarus sleepeth - This he spoke, just when he died. Sleepeth - Such is the death of good men in the language of heaven. But the disciples did not yet understand this language. And the slowness of our understanding makes the Scripture often descend to our barbarous manner of speaking.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Lazarus sleepeth - It was very common among the Jews to express death by sleep; and the expression, falling asleep - sleeping with their fathers, etc., were in great use among them. The Hebrews probably used this form of speech to signify their belief in the immortality of the soul, and the resurrection of the body. It is certain that our Lord received no intimation of Lazarus's death from any person, and that he knew it through that power by which he knows all things.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

Lazarus sleepeth - It was very common among the Jews to express death by sleep; and the expression, falling asleep - sleeping with their fathers, etc., were in great use among them. The Hebrews probably used this form of speech to signify their belief in the immortality of the soul, and the resurrection of the body.

It is certain that our Lord received no intimation of Lazarus's death from any person, and that he knew it through that power by which he knows all things.

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