John 11: Expository Preaching and Study Guide

Overview

John 11 recounts the powerful and deeply personal story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. This chapter is pivotal in John’s Gospel, both theologically and narratively. It presents Jesus not only as the compassionate Savior who weeps with His friends but also as the divine Son of God who holds authority over life and death. The account affirms the doctrine of resurrection, prefigures Jesus’ own death and resurrection, and deepens the revelation of His identity as the Resurrection and the Life (v.25).

Key events include:

Jesus receiving news of Lazarus‘ illness.
Jesus deliberately delaying His journey.
Lazarus’ death and burial.
Jesus’ interactions with Martha and Mary.
Jesus weeping—revealing His empathy.
The miraculous raising of Lazarus from the tomb.
The response of many Jews—some believe, while others conspire against Jesus.

This chapter emphasizes Christ’s divine power, His human compassion, and God’s sovereign timing, all operating within the framework of God’s redemptive plan.

Historical and Literary Context

Historical Background

The events in John 11 take place in Bethany, a village near Jerusalem, home to Mary, Martha, and Lazarus—a family deeply loved by Jesus (v.5). The chapter occurs late in Jesus’ earthly ministry, during a time of increasing opposition from the Jewish religious leaders. Raising Lazarus, a well-known figure, just outside Jerusalem, was a public and undeniable miracle that intensified the Sanhedrin’s plot to kill Jesus (v.53).

Bethany‘s proximity to Jerusalem (about two miles) made this miracle a turning point. It happened before many eyewitnesses, including some Jewish leaders, which made their rejection of Jesus even more culpable.

Literary Context

John structures his Gospel around seven signs—miraculous events that reveal Jesus’ divine identity. The raising of Lazarus is the seventh and climactic sign (John 2-11), pointing to Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God (cf. John 20:30-31).

John employs deep theological language, rich symbolism (light, life, death), and a chiastic structure that draws attention to Jesus’ statement: “I am the resurrection and the life” (v.25), which is central to the chapter.

The chapter also sets the stage for Jesus’ Passion. From this point on, the tension escalates (v.53-57), leading directly into the events of Passion Week (John 12 onward).

Key Themes and Doctrinal Points

1. Jesus’ Authority Over Life and Death

Jesus declares, “I am the resurrection and the life” (v.25). He is not merely a prophet praying for a miracle—He is the source of resurrection life. This reveals His divine nature and affirms Christ’s deity (cf. John 1:1-4). The miracle also foreshadows His own resurrection, proving His power over death and validating our future hope (1 Corinthians 15:20-22).

Doctrinal Emphasis: The bodily resurrection of believers, the future resurrection at Christ’s return, and the promise of eternal life through faith in Christ.

2. God’s Sovereignty and Timing

Jesus intentionally delays going to Lazarus, saying, “This sickness will not end in death… it is for God’s glory” (v.4). Though this delay is painful for Mary and Martha, it highlights the sovereign plan of God and Jesus’ submission to the Father’s will.

Doctrinal Emphasis: God’s purposes are often beyond our immediate understanding, but they are always good, perfect, and timely (Romans 8:28; Ecclesiastes 3:1).

3. The Compassion of Christ

Jesus’ weeping (v.35) shows His full humanity. He enters into the sorrow of His friends, even though He knows He will soon raise Lazarus. This demonstrates His ability to sympathize with our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15).

Doctrinal Emphasis: The doctrine of the Incarnation—Jesus is fully God and fully man. He is our sympathetic High Priest who feels our pain and walks with us through suffering.

4. The Necessity of Belief

Throughout the chapter, Jesus presses the question of faith: “Do you believe this?” (v.26). He calls Martha, Mary, and the crowd to believe in Him not only as a miracle worker but as the resurrection and the life.

Doctrinal Emphasis: Justification by faith alone—eternal life is received through believing in Jesus Christ, not through works (John 3:16; Romans 5:1).

5. The Glory of God Revealed Through Christ

Jesus states that the miracle is for the purpose of glorifying God (v.4, 40). God’s glory is most fully revealed in Christ, especially in His triumph over death.

Doctrinal Emphasis: Christ-centered doxology—all of redemptive history exists to display the glory of God in the face of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6).

6. Rejection and Hardness of Heart

Though many believed after witnessing the miracle (v.45), others reported Jesus to the Pharisees. This hardened rejection, even in the face of overwhelming evidence, highlights the depth of human depravity.

Doctrinal Emphasis: Total depravity—apart from God’s grace, man suppresses the truth (Romans 1:18-21; John 3:19-20).

Verse-by-Verse Analysis: John 11 (Selected Key Sections)

John 11:1-3 – The Illness of Lazarus

“Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha…”

Explanation: The chapter opens by introducing the beloved family of Bethany. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were close to Jesus (v.5). Their request to Jesus reflects faith in His power, even if they do not yet fully understand His divine nature.
Cross-Reference: Luke 10:38-42 also describes Jesus’ relationship with Mary and Martha.
Application: Christians can bring their needs to Jesus, trusting His love even when His response is delayed.

John 11:4 – The Purpose of Lazarus’ Sickness

“This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”

Explanation: Jesus reveals that Lazarus’ sickness has a divine purpose—the glorification of the Son. The delay is intentional.
Cross-Reference: John 9:3 – the man born blind was also a display of God’s glory.
Doctrinal Insight: God’s providence means that suffering and trials are not random; they are under His sovereign control for His glory and our good (Romans 8:28).

John 11:6 – Jesus Delays

“So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.”

Explanation: Jesus’ love is not expressed by immediate relief but by a deeper purpose. The delay sets the stage for a greater revelation of His glory.
Application: God’s timing is often different from ours, but it is never wrong. Faith must rest in His wisdom.

John 11:17-27 – Jesus and Martha

“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die…” (v.25)

Explanation: In this climactic statement, Jesus does not just teach resurrection—He is the resurrection. Eternal life is in His person, not merely in a future event.
Cross-Reference: John 5:21, 1 Thessalonians 4:14, Revelation 1:18.
Doctrinal Insight: This is a powerful affirmation of Jesus‘ divine identity, eternal power, and the centrality of faith.
Application: Every believer should anchor their hope in Christ’s promise of eternal life, not just temporary deliverance.

John 11:33-35 – Jesus Weeps

“Jesus wept.” (v.35)

Explanation: The shortest verse in the Bible is filled with meaning. Jesus expresses genuine grief and solidarity with human suffering. He is not detached but deeply moved.
Cross-Reference: Hebrews 4:15 – Jesus is our sympathetic High Priest.
Application: God does not only offer theological answers—He draws near in our pain.

John 11:38-44 – The Raising of Lazarus

“Lazarus, come out!” (v.43)

Explanation: With divine authority, Jesus commands Lazarus to rise. This miracle validates Jesus as the Giver of life, affirming His divine power over physical death.
Cross-Reference: 1 Corinthians 15:51-57, where Christ’s resurrection is the basis for our own.
Doctrinal Insight: The resurrection is bodily, real, and essential to Christian hope.
Application: This is a preview of the believer’s resurrection at the return of Christ. It also points to spiritual resurrection now (Ephesians 2:1-5).

John 11:45-53 – The Plot to Kill Jesus

“So from that day on they plotted to take his life.” (v.53)

Explanation: The miracle that reveals Jesus’ glory also ignites His enemies’ hatred. Caiaphas, unknowingly, prophesies that Jesus would die for the nation (v.50), speaking more truth than he realizes.
Cross-Reference: Isaiah 53:10, Acts 2:23 – God’s sovereign plan includes Christ’s substitutionary death.
Doctrinal Insight: Even human evil cannot derail God’s redemptive plan. Instead, it fulfills it.
Application: God uses even opposition and injustice to fulfill His eternal purposes.

Theological Implications and Connection to Jesus Christ

John 11 places Jesus Christ at the center of the redemptive story:

The Resurrection and the Life: Jesus’ self-identification as the resurrection (v.25) ties Him directly to eternal life, the defeat of death, and the hope of the gospel. This foreshadows His own resurrection and proves that He has life in Himself (John 1:4).
Substitutionary Death: Caiaphas’ words (v.50) unintentionally point to the substitutionary atonement—one man dying for the people. This underscores Jesus’ role as the Lamb of God (John 1:29).
Victory over Death: The raising of Lazarus is a signpost pointing to Christ’s ultimate victory over death (1 Corinthians 15:20-22). It affirms that the Gospel is not only about forgiveness but also about life restored—physically, spiritually, and eternally.
Jesus as the True Revelation of God: This chapter reinforces that Jesus fully reveals the Father (John 1:18). He acts in accordance with the Father’s will and glorifies the Father through His miracles and obedience.

How the Chapter Connects to God the Father

John 11 is not only Christ-centered—it also deeply reflects the will, plan, and glory of the Father.

1. The Father’s Sovereign Plan

Jesus says Lazarus’ sickness is “for God’s glory” (v.4).
The Father is orchestrating events so that the Son will be glorified, which in turn glorifies the Father (cf. John 17:1).
The timing, the miracle, and even the opposition are under the sovereign hand of God.

2. Jesus Acts in Submission to the Father

The Son does nothing on His own but only what He sees the Father doing (John 5:19).
Jesus delays His journey not out of indifference, but because He is following the Father’s timetable, not man’s expectations.

3. The Father’s Heart Seen in the Son

Jesus’ compassion, His tears, and His confrontation of death reveal the Father’s own heart toward human suffering.
Jesus embodies and reveals the love of the Father, not in abstract theory, but in real, tangible action.

How John 11 Connects to the Holy Spirit

Though the Holy Spirit is not explicitly mentioned in John 11, the chapter reflects His work and prepares the way for His fuller revelation in later chapters. We observe several connections:

1. The Holy Spirit Glorifies Christ

“It is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” (John 11:4)
Jesus’ miracle glorifies Him, and this is in alignment with the Spirit’s role:
“He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.” (John 16:14)

The raising of Lazarus demonstrates the type of Christ-exalting work the Spirit would later empower the disciples to proclaim.

2. The Holy Spirit Gives Life

Jesus declares:

“I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25)

This connects to the Spirit’s role in regeneration and resurrection:

“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you… he will also give life to your mortal bodies.” (Romans 8:11)

The resurrection of Lazarus is a signpost to the new birth and future resurrection, both of which are brought about by the Spirit.

3. The Spirit Comforts in Sorrow

When Jesus weeps with Mary and Martha, He models divine empathy. Later, Jesus promises another Comforter (John 14:16)—the Holy Spirit—who would dwell with believers, especially in seasons of grief.

4. The Spirit Empowers Faith

Jesus calls people to believe (John 11:26, 40). True belief is always Spirit-enabled:

“No one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:3)

The transformation in those who witnessed the miracle is a preview of what the Spirit would later do in full measure at Pentecost and beyond.

Sermon Outline and Flow: “The Resurrection and the Life” (John 11)

Sermon Title: “The Resurrection and the Life: Faith, Power, and Hope in Christ”
Text: John 11:1-44
Theme: Jesus is the sovereign, compassionate, and life-giving Savior who conquers death and calls us to faith.

I. God’s Timing is Always Perfect (vv.1-16)

Main Point: Jesus delays not out of neglect but out of divine purpose.
Transition: What seemed like absence was preparation for glory.
Application: Trust God’s timing, even when it feels like He’s delaying.
Example: A prayer unanswered for years becomes the ground for greater faith.

II. Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life (vv.17-27)

Main Point: Life is not just in the future—life is in the person of Christ.
Transition: Jesus turns Martha’s theology into trust.
Application: Anchor your hope not in circumstances, but in the living Christ.
Example: A Christian woman with terminal cancer points others to eternal life because she knows her hope is secure in Jesus.

III. Jesus Weeps With Those Who Weep (vv.28-37)

Main Point: Christ is both powerful and personal.
Transition: The tears of Jesus prepare the way for the command of life.
Application: When you grieve, remember you are not alone—your Savior understands.
Example: Story of a believer who lost a child but found comfort knowing that Christ mourned with her through the Spirit’s presence.

IV. Jesus Calls the Dead to Life (vv.38-44)

Main Point: With divine authority, Jesus calls Lazarus out—and he comes.
Transition: The grave obeys the voice of God.
Application: If Jesus can raise the dead, He can restore what’s broken in your life.
Call to Action: Believe in Jesus for eternal life. Let Him remove the stone and call you to live.

Conclusion:

Jesus is still the Resurrection and the Life.
Whatever you’re facing—loss, fear, guilt, death—He is stronger.
Call to Action: Come out of the grave. Trust Him. Follow Him. Worship Him.

Illustrations and Examples

1. The Funeral That Turned Into Worship

Imagine standing at a graveside where mourning is heavy. Then the impossible happens: the person rises. John 11 is that story. Just as Jesus reversed death at a tomb in Bethany, He reverses spiritual death today. This connects to the Spirit’s power to bring new life into broken marriages, dead dreams, and hard hearts.

2. The Delayed Answer

A missionary couple prays for decades for their unbelieving son. For years, nothing happens. But after their death, the son finds their prayer journal and reads how they never gave up. God answers their prayer long after they were gone. His delay wasn’t denial—it was part of a bigger story.

3. From Tomb to Testimony

Share the testimony of a former drug addict or prisoner whose life was completely transformed by the gospel. Like Lazarus, they were dead—and Jesus called them out. Their life now preaches: “I was dead, but now I live.”

4. The Empty Chair

A grieving family leaves a chair empty at the dinner table every holiday. It reminds them of their loved one. But they’ve written “See you soon” on a plaque on that chair—because Jesus is the resurrection. That’s Christian hope.

5. Analogies

Jesus and CPR: Unlike a paramedic, Jesus doesn’t resuscitate—He resurrects. He doesn’t just stabilize; He gives new life.
Removing the Grave Clothes: After Jesus raises Lazarus, He says, “Take off the grave clothes.” Many believers have been made alive but still wear the old garments of fear or shame. Jesus not only gives life—He restores freedom.

Application for Today’s Christian

John 11 speaks not only to our theology but also to our daily discipleship. It challenges believers to live out their faith with trust, hope, and action.

1. Trust God’s Timing in Trials

Jesus waited two more days before responding to Lazarus’ illness (v.6). In our own lives, God may delay answers to our prayers—not because He is indifferent, but because He is preparing something greater for His glory.
Practical Step: Practice patience and prayer when answers don’t come quickly. Journal your prayers to reflect on how God works over time.

2. Believe in Jesus in Every Season

Martha confesses her faith in Jesus as “the Messiah, the Son of God” even before her brother is raised (v.27). Faith isn’t based on what we see, but on who Jesus is.
Practical Step: Regularly rehearse God’s promises in Scripture, especially in seasons of loss or confusion. Use John 11:25 as a memory verse.

3. Live with Resurrection Hope

Jesus’ power over death means Christians can face grief, illness, and even death itself with confidence. Believers are never without hope.
Practical Step: Encourage others with the hope of the resurrection—especially in funerals, hospital visits, and counseling settings.

4. Walk in Compassion Toward Others

Jesus wept (v.35). He entered into the sorrow of His friends. As His disciples, we must also bear one another’s burdens.
Practical Step: Practice Christlike compassion by visiting the grieving, listening to the hurting, and offering presence more than solutions.

5. Leave the Grave Clothes Behind

After Lazarus is raised, Jesus says, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go” (v.44). New life in Christ requires shedding old patterns.
Practical Step: Identify areas where you are still walking in the “old self” (Ephesias 4:22). Seek accountability to grow in holiness and obedience.

6. Steward Your Testimony

Lazarus became a living witness (John 12:10-11). Your life in Christ is a testimony to His power.
Practical Step: Share your testimony with someone this week, especially how Christ gave you new life.

Connection to God’s Love

John 11 reveals God’s love not just in words, but in presence, emotion, and action.

1. God’s Love is Personal

Jesus deeply loves Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (v.5). He enters into their pain—not with distance, but with tears (v.35). This shows that God’s love is not cold or abstract—it’s intimate and relational.
Romans 8:39: “Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

2. God’s Love Brings Restoration

Jesus doesn’t merely sympathize—He acts. He raises Lazarus from the grave. This reveals a redemptive love—one that restores what was lost.
God’s love doesn’t ignore suffering; it overcomes it.

3. God’s Love Points to the Cross

This miracle leads directly to the cross (v.53). Jesus knew that raising Lazarus would seal His own death. He lays down His life so others might live.
John 15:13: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

4. God’s Love Invites Belief

Jesus gently calls Martha and Mary to faith, not condemnation (v.26). His love is patient and persistent, drawing people to trust in Him.

Broader Biblical Themes

John 11 is not an isolated miracle—it sits within the grand sweep of God’s redemptive story.

1. Creation and Life

Jesus, who is the Word through whom all things were made (John 1:3), speaks life into the dead (v.43). Just as God breathed life into Adam (Genesis 2:7), Jesus calls Lazarus from the tomb.
Theme: Jesus is the Lord of life and the restorer of creation.

2. Fall and Death

Lazarus‘ death reminds us of the consequence of sin—“the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). The brokenness of the world includes illness, grief, and separation.
Theme: Sin brings death, but Jesus comes to reverse its effects.

3. Redemption and Restoration

The miracle is a sign of what Jesus will accomplish in full through His own death and resurrection. Just as Lazarus was raised temporarily, Jesus’ resurrection secures eternal life.
Theme: Jesus is the Redeemer who restores both body and soul.

4. Covenant Fulfillment

Jesus fulfills the promise of God to bring resurrection life to His people (Isaiah 25:8, Ezekiel 37).
He embodies the new covenant hope—life not written on stone tablets, but born of the Spirit (Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 36:26-27).

5. Consummation and Future Hope

The raising of Lazarus points forward to the final resurrection at Christ’s return (1 Thessalonians 4:16, Revelation 21:4). Lazarus was a preview—believers will one day experience the full resurrection.
Theme: John 11 is a signpost toward the new heaven and new earth where death will be no more.

Reflection Questions: John 11

These questions are designed to help individuals, families, and small groups reflect on the truth of John 11 and apply it personally.

A. Understanding the Text

Why do you think Jesus delayed going to Lazarus even though He loved him and his sisters? What does this teach us about God’s timing?
In verse 25, Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life.” What does this statement reveal about His identity and power?
How does Jesus’ response to Mary and Martha differ, and what does this show us about how He meets people in their grief?

B. Personal Application

Can you recall a time when it felt like God was “delaying” in your life? Looking back, how did God use that situation for your growth or His glory?
In what areas of your life do you need to trust Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life today?
Jesus wept with those who were grieving. How can you reflect His compassion to others who are hurting around you?

C. Faith and Discipleship

What does it look like to live with resurrection hope in a broken world? How can you encourage others with this hope?
Lazarus was raised from the dead, but still had to be unbound from his grave clothes (v.44). What are some “grave clothes” (old habits, guilt, fear) you may still be carrying, and how can you take steps toward freedom in Christ?
How can this chapter deepen your confidence in Jesus during times of sorrow, illness, or even death?

D. Gospel and Mission

Some people believed in Jesus after witnessing the miracle, while others rejected Him (vv.45-53). How should this shape your expectations when sharing the gospel?
Like Lazarus, your life is a testimony to Christ’s power. How can you steward your story to bring others to faith?

E. God’s Character and Love

What does John 11 reveal about God’s heart toward those who are suffering?
How does this chapter deepen your understanding of God’s glory and love being revealed through trials?