John 11:44 - 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.”
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What does "John 11:44" mean?
This verse, John 11:44, is the culmination of the story of Lazarus's resurrection. It describes the physical state of Lazarus after Jesus calls him forth from the tomb and then commands others to release him. Let's break down the meaning:
"He who was dead came out...": This is the central miracle. Lazarus, who had been dead for four days, is now alive and able to respond to Jesus's command. This underscores Jesus's power over death and his claim to be the resurrection and the life.
"...bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth.": This details the typical burial practices of the time. The body was wrapped in strips of linen cloth (wrappings) and the face was covered with a separate cloth (a "napkin" or "face cloth"). This is important because it confirms that Lazarus was truly dead and buried according to the customs of the time. The wrappings would have been saturated with spices and perfumes to help preserve the body and mask the odor of decomposition. These bindings would have completely restricted his movement.
"Jesus said to them, “Free him, and let him go.”": Jesus doesn't just raise Lazarus; he also commands those present to unbind him. This is significant for several reasons:
Testimony to Reality: The fact that Lazarus is still bound demonstrates the reality of the resurrection to the onlookers. They can see he was truly dead and buried.
Human Agency: While Jesus performs the miraculous act of resurrection, he involves human agency in completing the process. This emphasizes the cooperation between divine power and human action. Jesus could have miraculously unbound him, but he commanded those present to do it.
Freedom from the Past: The act of unwrapping Lazarus symbolizes freedom from the constraints of death and the past. It is a liberation from the physical and spiritual bonds that held him captive. Jesus is not just raising him back to life but also restoring him to a new level of freedom.
Community Involvement: The call to "free him" is directed to the crowd, highlighting that faith in Jesus and His works calls for communal action. It is a community's responsibility to care for and accept those brought back to life, both physically and spiritually.
In essence, this verse communicates:
Jesus's power over death is undeniable. He can reverse the natural order and bring life where there was none.
The resurrection is a tangible reality. It is not just a spiritual or symbolic event, but a physical transformation.
The resurrected are liberated from the constraints of their former lives. They are given a new freedom to live.
Faith in Jesus involves action. The community is called to participate in the restoration of life, both physical and spiritual.
The story of Lazarus's resurrection is a powerful symbol of the hope of eternal life and the transformative power of Jesus Christ. This verse is crucial because it reinforces the miraculous nature of the event, highlights the importance of human action in the process of restoration, and symbolizes the freedom that comes with new life in Christ.
John 11:44 - 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.”
What does "John 11:44" mean?
This verse, John 11:44, is the culmination of the story of Lazarus's resurrection. It describes the physical state of Lazarus after Jesus calls him forth from the tomb and then commands others to release him. Let's break down the meaning:
"He who was dead came out...": This is the central miracle. Lazarus, who had been dead for four days, is now alive and able to respond to Jesus's command. This underscores Jesus's power over death and his claim to be the resurrection and the life.
"...bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth.": This details the typical burial practices of the time. The body was wrapped in strips of linen cloth (wrappings) and the face was covered with a separate cloth (a "napkin" or "face cloth"). This is important because it confirms that Lazarus was truly dead and buried according to the customs of the time. The wrappings would have been saturated with spices and perfumes to help preserve the body and mask the odor of decomposition. These bindings would have completely restricted his movement.
"Jesus said to them, “Free him, and let him go.”": Jesus doesn't just raise Lazarus; he also commands those present to unbind him. This is significant for several reasons:
Testimony to Reality: The fact that Lazarus is still bound demonstrates the reality of the resurrection to the onlookers. They can see he was truly dead and buried.
Human Agency: While Jesus performs the miraculous act of resurrection, he involves human agency in completing the process. This emphasizes the cooperation between divine power and human action. Jesus could have miraculously unbound him, but he commanded those present to do it.
Freedom from the Past: The act of unwrapping Lazarus symbolizes freedom from the constraints of death and the past. It is a liberation from the physical and spiritual bonds that held him captive. Jesus is not just raising him back to life but also restoring him to a new level of freedom.
Community Involvement: The call to "free him" is directed to the crowd, highlighting that faith in Jesus and His works calls for communal action. It is a community's responsibility to care for and accept those brought back to life, both physically and spiritually.
In essence, this verse communicates:
Jesus's power over death is undeniable. He can reverse the natural order and bring life where there was none.
The resurrection is a tangible reality. It is not just a spiritual or symbolic event, but a physical transformation.
The resurrected are liberated from the constraints of their former lives. They are given a new freedom to live.
Faith in Jesus involves action. The community is called to participate in the restoration of life, both physical and spiritual.
The story of Lazarus's resurrection is a powerful symbol of the hope of eternal life and the transformative power of Jesus Christ. This verse is crucial because it reinforces the miraculous nature of the event, highlights the importance of human action in the process of restoration, and symbolizes the freedom that comes with new life in Christ.