The author's message to his original audience. In doing so, consider the context (surrounding passages, overall gospel theme).

Sample Solution

The Author's Message in John 11: Belief, Resurrection, and the Kingdom of God

John 11, the narrative of the raising of Lazarus, stands as a pivotal chapter within the Gospel of John, carrying a profound message for its original audience concerning the identity of Jesus, the nature of belief, and the promise of resurrection. Understanding this message requires careful consideration of the immediate context, the overarching themes of John’s Gospel, and key linguistic choices.

The immediate context of John 11 follows Jesus’ increasingly open claims of divinity and the growing opposition from Jewish authorities. In John 10, Jesus declares, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30, NIV), a statement that leads to an attempt to stone him for blasphemy. The narrative of Lazarus’ illness and death then unfolds against this backdrop of escalating tension and Jesus’ assertion of his divine power. The delay in Jesus’ arrival, despite being informed of Lazarus’ sickness, is a crucial element. As Martha pointedly states, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21, NIV). This delay serves not as negligence but as a deliberate act to demonstrate a greater glory and a more profound truth. Jesus himself declares, “This sickness will not end in death but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it” (John 11:4,

NIV).  

Full Answer Section

The overall theme of John’s Gospel is to present Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, so that the readers might believe and have life in his name (John 20:31). The miracles, or “signs” as John calls them, are carefully selected and narrated to underscore Jesus’ divine identity and his power over various aspects of human existence, including sickness and death. John 11 serves as the seventh and climactic sign, demonstrating Jesus’ ultimate authority over death itself, the final enemy of humanity.

The author’s message to his original audience, likely a community facing persecution and grappling with questions of faith and the reality of death in light of their belief in Jesus, is multifaceted. Firstly, it is a powerful affirmation of Jesus’ divine identity and his power over death. The deliberate delay, the pronouncement that the sickness is for God’s glory, and the eventual command, “Lazarus, come out!” (John 11:43, NIV), all point to Jesus’ unique relationship with the Father and his sovereign authority over life and death. As D.A. Carson notes, “The raising of Lazarus is the supreme ‘sign’ in John’s Gospel, for it uniquely anticipates and symbolizes the resurrection of Jesus himself and, consequently, the resurrection of all who believe in him.”[^1]

Secondly, the narrative emphasizes the crucial role of belief in Jesus. Jesus’ interaction with Martha is particularly instructive in this regard. When she expresses her faith in a future resurrection, Jesus redirects her focus to the present, stating, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26, NIV). This dialogue highlights that the power over death is inherent in Jesus himself, and the key to experiencing this life, both now and in the future, is faith in him. As Leon Morris observes, “The raising of Lazarus was not just a demonstration of power; it was designed to elicit faith.”[^2] The author’s message urges the original audience to move beyond a distant hope in a future resurrection to a present, living faith in Jesus as the very source of life.  

Thirdly, the raising of Lazarus serves as a powerful foreshadowing of Jesus’ own resurrection. Just as Lazarus, dead and buried for four days, was brought back to life by Jesus’ command, so too would Jesus conquer death through his own resurrection. This event provides a tangible demonstration of the power that Jesus possesses, a power that would ultimately be displayed in its fullness in his own rising from the dead. This would have been particularly encouraging to a community facing potential martyrdom, offering a powerful assurance of a future hope beyond earthly death. As Craig R. Koester writes, “The raising of Lazarus anticipates Jesus’ own resurrection and points to the life that believers will share with him.”[^3]

Several keywords contribute significantly to the overall message of John 11:

• Believe (πιστεύω, pisteuō): This verb appears frequently throughout John’s Gospel and is central to the message of this chapter. Jesus directly asks Martha, “Do you believe this?” (John 11:26, NIV), underscoring that faith in him is the condition for experiencing true life. The raising of Lazarus is intended to elicit and strengthen this belief in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God.
• Life (ζωή, zōē): In John’s Gospel, zōē often refers to more than mere biological existence; it signifies eternal, spiritual life – the very life of God. Jesus’ declaration, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25, NIV), connects this eternal life directly to himself. The raising of Lazarus is a tangible manifestation of Jesus’ power to bestow this life, even after physical death.
• Glory (δόξα, doxa): Jesus states that Lazarus’ sickness is “for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it” (John 11:4, NIV). In John, doxa often refers to the divine splendor and power manifested through Jesus’ words and deeds. The raising of Lazarus is a powerful display of this divine glory, revealing Jesus’ true identity and authority.
• Resurrection (ἀνάστασις, anastasis): Martha initially speaks of the future resurrection (John 11:24, NIV). Jesus then redefines the concept by declaring, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25, NIV), indicating that resurrection is not merely a future event but is intrinsically linked to his person. The raising of Lazarus is a foretaste of this ultimate resurrection power.

The message of John 11 holds significant implications for understanding the Kingdom of God today. While the Kingdom of God is a multifaceted concept, encompassing God’s present reign and future consummation, John 11 highlights a crucial aspect: Jesus’ power over death as a present reality and a future promise within the Kingdom.

Today, just as for the original audience, the raising of Lazarus serves as a powerful testament to Jesus’ divine authority and his ability to conquer the ultimate consequence of sin. For those who believe in him, death is not the final word but a transition to eternal life (John 11:25-26). This provides hope and comfort in the face of mortality and suffering.

Furthermore, the call to believe in Jesus as the resurrection and the life remains central to the message of the Kingdom. Entering the Kingdom involves placing faith in Jesus, acknowledging him as the source of true and eternal life. This belief transforms our understanding of life and death, offering a hope that transcends earthly limitations.

Finally, the display of God’s glory through Jesus’ power over death in John 11 foreshadows the ultimate victory over death that will be fully realized in the consummation of the Kingdom. The resurrection of Lazarus is a signpost pointing towards the future resurrection of all believers, a key promise of the Kingdom of God. Therefore, John 11 encourages believers today to place their faith in Jesus, the one who has power over death, and to live in the hope of the resurrection that is central to the message of the Kingdom.

[^1]: D.A. Carson, The Gospel According to John, Pillar Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1991), 417. [^2]: Leon Morris, The Gospel According to John, New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1995), 464. [^3]: Craig R. Koester, Symbolism in the Fourth Gospel: Meaning, Mystery, Community, 2nd ed. (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2007), 158.  

Bibliography

Carson, D.A. The Gospel According to John. Pillar Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1991.

Koester, Craig R. Symbolism in the Fourth Gospel: Meaning, Mystery, Community. 2nd ed. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2007.

Morris, Leon. The Gospel According to John. New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1995.

NIV Study Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011.