and for your sakeThis phrase indicates Jesus' consideration for His disciples' spiritual growth. It reflects His teaching method, which often involved allowing circumstances to unfold in a way that would strengthen their faith. This approach is consistent with His overall ministry, where He used parables and real-life situations to reveal deeper truths.
I am glad I was not there
Jesus expresses a counterintuitive gladness, which highlights His divine perspective. His absence allowed for a greater demonstration of His power over death, which would not have been possible if He had healed Lazarus before he died. This aligns with the theme of God's timing being perfect, as seen in other biblical narratives such as the story of Joseph in Genesis.
so that you may believe
The purpose of Jesus' actions is to deepen the disciples' faith. This is a recurring theme in the Gospel of John, where belief is central (John 20:31). The miracle of raising Lazarus serves as a sign pointing to Jesus' identity as the Son of God and foreshadows His own resurrection, reinforcing the belief in His divine authority.
But let us go to him.”
This invitation to go to Lazarus signifies Jesus' willingness to confront death and sorrow, demonstrating His compassion and power. It also sets the stage for the miracle that will follow, which serves as a pivotal moment in His ministry. The journey to Bethany, where Lazarus was, is significant as it was near Jerusalem, a place of increasing danger for Jesus, showing His courage and commitment to His mission.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Jesus- The central figure in this passage, Jesus is speaking to His disciples about the death of Lazarus. His statement reveals His divine purpose and understanding of the situation.
2.
Disciples- The followers of Jesus who are being taught a lesson in faith through the events surrounding Lazarus's death.
3.
Lazarus- A friend of Jesus who has died, setting the stage for Jesus to perform a miracle that will strengthen the faith of His disciples.
4.
Bethany- The village where Lazarus lived and where Jesus is planning to go, despite the potential danger from those who oppose Him.
5.
The Event of Lazarus's Death- This event is pivotal as it leads to one of Jesus' most significant miracles, the raising of Lazarus from the dead, which serves to glorify God and strengthen the disciples' faith.
Teaching Points
Faith in God's TimingJesus' delay in going to Lazarus was intentional. Trusting God's timing is crucial, even when it doesn't align with our expectations.
Purpose in TrialsJesus uses Lazarus's death to strengthen the disciples' faith. Our trials can serve a greater purpose in God's plan.
The Power of BeliefJesus' statement, "so that you may believe," underscores the importance of faith. Belief in Jesus' power and divinity is central to the Christian faith.
Courage to FollowDespite the danger, Jesus decides to go to Bethany. We are called to follow Jesus courageously, even when it involves risk.
The Glory of GodThe miracle of raising Lazarus is ultimately for God's glory. Our lives should also aim to glorify God in all circumstances.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of John 11:15?
2.How does John 11:15 demonstrate Jesus' purpose in allowing Lazarus' death?
3.What does "so that you may believe" reveal about Jesus' teaching methods?
4.How does John 11:15 connect to Romans 8:28 about God's plans?
5.How can we trust God's timing in difficult situations, as seen in John 11:15?
6.How does this verse encourage faith during personal trials and uncertainties?
7.Why did Jesus express gladness over Lazarus's death in John 11:15?
8.How does John 11:15 challenge the understanding of Jesus's emotions?
9.What does John 11:15 reveal about Jesus's purpose for miracles?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from John 11?
11.How can your joy be made complete?
12.What is the Prayer of Faith?
13.Matthew 5:3-12 - If the meek and persecuted are supposed to be blessed, why do so many suffer unjustly without apparent divine intervention?
14.What does surrendering to God mean?What Does John 11:15 Mean
For your sake– “And for your sake” (John 11:15) shows Jesus’ focus on His disciples’ spiritual good, not merely Lazarus’s immediate relief.
– He shapes every circumstance with His followers in mind, as seen when He tells Peter later, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but later you will understand” (John 13:7).
– The lesson: even painful delays serve a redemptive purpose for those who love Him (Romans 8:28).
I am glad– “I am glad” may sound surprising in the face of a friend’s death, yet Jesus rejoices because a greater revelation of His glory is about to unfold, similar to His joy when the Father’s will is advancing (Luke 10:21).
– His gladness is anchored in the certain outcome of resurrection power that will strengthen faith, not in the sorrow itself (Hebrews 12:2).
I was not there– By saying He was glad He “was not there,” Jesus highlights a deliberate choice to delay (John 11:6).
– He had healed from a distance before (John 4:50–53), so His absence was intentional, designed to allow Lazarus’s death and thus demonstrate a mightier sign.
– This underscores that divine timing often differs from human urgency, echoingEcclesiastes 3:11.
So that you may believe– The ultimate goal is faith: “so that you may believe.” Every miracle in John’s Gospel is a sign pointing to belief (John 20:31).
– Raising Lazarus will confirm that Jesus is “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25) and foreshadow His own resurrection.
– Faith always deepens through seeing Christ triumph over impossibility (Mark 9:24;John 11:40).
But let us go to him– Jesus moves from explanation to action: “But let us go to him.” He invites the disciples to witness His power firsthand, just as He later says, “Rise, let us go from here” (John 14:31).
– Following Him often means stepping toward places of grief and uncertainty, trusting that His presence changes everything (Psalm 23:4).
– The phrase signals both compassion for Lazarus’s family and confidence in the miracle about to occur (John 11:43-44).
summaryJesus intentionally delayed arriving in Bethany so the disciples could witness a greater miracle, strengthening their faith. His gladness rests in the coming display of resurrection power. By inviting the disciples to go with Him, He calls them—and us—to trust His timing, walk into hard places with Him, and believe more deeply when His glory is revealed.
(15)
And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there.--The words are at first sound startling, as following immediately upon the plain statement, "Lazarus is dead." The utterance is not of sorrow, but of joy; but the joy is not at the fact of death, but at the fact that He was not there. Had He been there, Lazarus would not have died (
John 11:21;
John 11:32), and his recovery would have added to the work of healing. There is the assured consciousness of power over death itself, which sees as present all that is to follow, and sees in the strengthening of their faith ground for joy.
To the intent ye may believe.--They were already disciples, but this sign would be to them the vehicle of a higher spiritual truth, and the growth of their spiritual life would be such that it may be regarded as a new act of faith. (Comp. Note onJohn 2:11.)
Nevertheless let us go unto him.--The thought of the final issue of the sleep brings the whole future before the mind. But for this, His presence is needed at Bethany, and He abruptly breaks off this conversation about it, by what is at once a resolution and a summons to go there.
Verse 15. -
And I rejoice that I was not there. Death could not have occurred in his presence; at least, as Bengel says, we never read of any one dying in the presence of the Prince of life. Whenever he came into contact with death, he conquered the great enemy. Still, this was not the absolute reason for his gladness. The gladness was conditioned by the need of the disciples, not merely for the comfort of the sisters, or for his own greater glory,
but for your sakes, to the end that ye might believe. The word
πιστεύω is often used absolutely (
John 1:7, 50;
John 4:41, 42;
John 5:44;
John 6:36; and many other places). The disciples had believed something of Christ's power before (see
John 2:11, etc.); but every act of faith prepares the way for another. Every fresh exercise of faith makes all previous efforts in the same direction appear elementary (cf.
1 John 5:13, T.R.). The joy of Jesus in the augmenting faith of his disciples is one of the most pathetic and instructive features of this Gospel (see
John 16:31, and notes). The kingdom of God among men was, so far as we can see, dependent on the amount of faith that the apostles could be induced to cherish in the fact of the Incarnation during the brief period of this ministry. The Church has not yet come to a full understanding of all that he was. But if the disciples had not known his power over death, they would have been destitute of the alphabet of this new language, of the foundations of the spiritual city they had to build. Jesus rejoiced when disciples believed. So he does still.
Nevertheless, let us go to him - to Lazarus, who still lives with God (cf.
Matthew 22:32, and parallel passages). This is very remarkable. Even the dead body is in this case still (cf.
John 14:31).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.for your sakeδι’(di’)Preposition
Strong's 1223:A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.I am gladχαίρω(chairō)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 5463:A primary verb; to be 'cheer'ful, i.e. Calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation, be well.I wasἤμην(ēmēn)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.notοὐκ(ouk)Adverb
Strong's 3756:No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.there,ἐκεῖ(ekei)Adverb
Strong's 1563:(a) there, yonder, in that place, (b) thither, there. Of uncertain affinity; there; by extension, thither.so thatἵνα(hina)Conjunction
Strong's 2443:In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.you may believe.πιστεύσητε(pisteusēte)Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4100:From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust.Butἀλλὰ(alla)Conjunction
Strong's 235:But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.let us goἄγωμεν(agōmen)Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 71:A primary verb; properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, go, pass, or induce.toπρὸς(pros)Preposition
Strong's 4314:To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.him.”αὐτόν(auton)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.
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NT Gospels: John 11:15 I am glad for your sakes that (Jhn Jo Jn) 
