John – Chapter 11:1-23
Chapters 11 & 12 Prelude to the Passion Narrative – These two chapters are a transition from Jesus’ confrontation with “the Jews” and the narrative of His suffering and death (13:1ff). Jesus and the disciples are near Jerusalem but across the Jordan, only interrupted in by the raising of Lazarus in Bethany. These chapters strongly diverge from the Synoptics (Mt, Mk, Lk) especially regards the place and raising of Lazarus. While unique, the raising of the dead is at the core of the Gospel (Mt 11:5; Lk 7:11ff). It would be strange if the repeated promise of “(eternal) life” did not include a resurrection as one of his “signs.” Some would suggest its inclusion is legendary and “theological” and “pedagogical.” The Synoptics suggest Jesus travelled directly from Galilee via Jericho to Jerusalem for His passion. This does not require denying the historicity of the Gospel. The Synoptics themselves are full of indications that Jesus’ ministry included far more than they explicitly report (Lk 19:37). John tells the events of history with theological and pedagogical purpose (see 20:30-31)! 11:1-3 The raising of Lazarus – This story is the culmination of the themes of Jesus’ discourse with the Jews, namely “seeing” Jesus’ glory as the glory of God with the confirmation of His Word with His deeds. The notes about the location “of Bethany” and the individuals “the village of Mary and her sister Martha” distinguish this from the earlier Bethany (11:18). It is assumed the readers know more about these two and are already familiar with the anointing of 12:1ff. v. 4 “It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by means of it” – For Jesus the message concerning His friend’s illness and request to heal him is a signal of great things to come. We are given the impression that even Jesus doesn’t know in advance what will happen (v. 17) but that Jesus, too, relied on guidance from His Father to determine the “what” and “when” of His ministry. Regardless, Jesus Himself says that death is not Lazarus’s illness’s final word. The sending of Son is the revealing of the glory of God, the power and majesty of God’s presence. The raising of Lazarus prefigures Jesus’ own death and resurrection (cf. 12:16, 23, 28; 13:1ff; 17:1-4). But particularly, the Gospel’s purpose is to make the make…