Charles Ellicott Commentary John 11:6

"When therefore he heard that he was sick, he abode at that time two days in the place where he was." — John 11:6 (ASV)

When he had heard therefore.—Better, When He heard therefore . . .

He remained two days longer.—It is usual to explain this delay as caused by His wish to test the faith of the sisters, or by the nature of the work which He was then doing, and was unwilling to leave.

But the first reason overlooks the fact that their faith had been shown in their message to Him; and the second assumes His presence at Bethany was necessary for the restoration of Lazarus .

A more accurate view is one that recalls the principle He had taught at the first miracle (John 2:4), that the hours of His work were marked out by signs that He alone could read, and that every hour had its work, and every work its hour (John 11:9, and John 9:3-4).

A comparison with John 11:11 makes it certain that Lazarus was dead before they set out for Judea, but he was living when the words of John 11:4 were spoken. The fact of death may have determined the hour of their departure.