John 11:15 - I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe. Nevertheless, let’s go to him.”

Generated Verse: John 11:15

What does "John 11:15" mean?


This verse, John 11:15, comes in the context of Jesus learning about Lazarus's illness and eventual death. To understand it, we need a little backstory:

Lazarus was a close friend of Jesus. He and his sisters, Mary and Martha, lived in Bethany.
Jesus received word that Lazarus was sick. Instead of going immediately, he deliberately delayed.
Lazarus died before Jesus arrived.

Now let's break down the verse itself:

"I am glad for your sakes that I was not there..." This seems counterintuitive. Why would Jesus be glad his friend died? The key lies in the second part of the sentence.

"...so that you may believe." This is the crucial part. Jesus's purpose is not just about Lazarus, but about strengthening the faith of his disciples. He knew that if he had arrived in time to heal Lazarus before his death, the miracle would have been impressive, but it wouldn't have been as profound as raising him from the dead after he had been dead for four days. Jesus is stating that a greater miracle and demonstration of his power and divinity is more important for the disciples' faith than a simple healing. This is a display of Jesus's authority over death itself.

"Nevertheless, let's go to him." Despite the sadness and potential danger (the religious leaders were seeking to kill him), Jesus is committed to going to Bethany to be with Lazarus's family and to perform the miracle. It's a statement of resolve and compassion, despite the difficulty.

In essence, the verse means:

Jesus is saying that he deliberately delayed his arrival in Bethany because he knew that Lazarus's death and subsequent resurrection would be a powerful demonstration of his divine power, leading his disciples to a deeper faith in him. Despite the sorrow and the risks involved, he's determined to go to Bethany to be with Lazarus's family and perform the miracle.

Key takeaways:

Jesus's ultimate goal is to reveal his divine nature and strengthen the faith of his followers.
He sometimes allows hardship to occur in order to bring about a greater good.
He is compassionate and willing to face danger for the sake of others.
The miracle of Lazarus's resurrection is a sign pointing to Jesus's power over death and his identity as the Messiah.