Charles Ellicott Commentary John 11:15

"And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him." — John 11:15 (ASV)

And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there.—The words sound startling at first, as they immediately follow the plain statement, Lazarus is dead. The utterance is not of sorrow, but of joy; however, the joy is not about the fact of death, but about 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 been another 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 a reason for joy.

To the intent ye may believe.—They were already disciples, but this sign would be for 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. (Compare to the note on John 2:11).

Nevertheless let us go unto him.—The thought of the final outcome of this sleep brings the whole future before the mind. But for this purpose, 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.