Verse of the Day
Author Spotlight
Loading featured author...
Report Issue
See a formatting issue or error?
Let us know →
Verse Takeaways
1
Not Death's Final Word
Commentators agree that when Jesus said the sickness was "not unto death," he didn't mean Lazarus wouldn't physically die. Rather, he was speaking of the ultimate outcome. Scholars like Spurgeon and Calvin explain that Jesus, seeing the end from the beginning, knew death would only be a temporary "interlude" before the greater miracle of resurrection, which was the true final result of the illness.
See 3 Verse Takeaways
Book Overview
John
Author
Audience
Composition
Teaching Highlights
Outline
+ 5 more
See Overview
Commentaries
9
Albert Barnes
On John 11:4
18th Century
Theologian
This sickness is not unto death. The word death here is equivalent to remaining in death, as in Romans 6:23: The wag…
AT Robertson
On John 11:4
Heard it (ακουσας). The messenger delivered the message of the sisters. The reply of Jesus is for him and for the apostles.
Charles Ellicott
On John 11:4
19th Century
Bishop
When Jesus heard that, he said: These words are not simply an answer sent to the sisters, but the uttered thought which a…
Go Ad-Free
Go ad-free and create your own bookmark library
Charles Spurgeon
On John 11:4
19th Century
Preacher
When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death,-
That was not to be the end of it; God had quite another purpose i…
Expositor's Bible Commentary
On John 11:4
Jesus’ reaction was optimistic and purposeful. He gave assurance to the disciples that Lazarus’s illness would not terminate in death, and stated t…
John Calvin
On John 11:4
16th Century
Theologian
Now Jesus, having heard this, said, This sickness is not to death. He intended by this reply to free his disciples from anxiety, so that t…
John Gill
On John 11:4
17th Century
Pastor
When Jesus heard that ;
That his friend Lazarus was sick,
he said ;
either…
Matthew Henry
On John 11:1–6
17th Century
Minister
It is no new thing for those whom Christ loves to be sick; physical illnesses correct corruption and test the graces of God's people. He did not co…