Gospels in Harmony – John 11, Section 4  – Lazarus is Dead

(This Series of Studies Examines the Meanings of Names and Places)

[Study Aired July 14, 2020]

Joh 11:1-16 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) Therefore, his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. 

Picking up where we left off starting in John 11:6: 

Joh 11:6-9 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. 

Here is the interpretation. 

When (the savior and deliverer) had heard therefore that those (whom God Helps) was (full of sin), (the savior and deliverer) abode (witnessing) where (eyes are being opened and sharing life giving waters). Then after that saith (the savior and deliverer) to the (followers but not yet believers), Let us go into (praise and confession) again. The (followers but not yet believers) say unto (the savior and deliverer), Master, the (killers of Christ) of late sought to (kill) (the savior and deliverer); and goest thou thither to (the house of misery and affliction) again? (the savior and deliverer) answered, Isn’t there a (foundation of Light)? If (those who do know Christ and the Father) (understands the doctrine and does what is said) of the (Light), they (walk the narrow way), because they (understand) the (Christ). 

Abode two Days = witnessing of himself (The Light) the head and the body 

Deu 17:6 At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death. 

Mat 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 

Twelve hours in the day = Foundation of Light – The Spiritual Significance of the Number Twelve

Day, Light = Christ and His Christ 

Gen 1:3-5 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. 

Joh 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. 

Mat 5:14-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 

Sees = knowing, understanding and doing the will of the Lord 

Joh 7:16-18 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. 

Pro 14:5-8 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies. A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth. Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge. The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit. 

Pro 28:4-7 They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them. Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things. Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich. Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father. 

Joh 11:10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. 

But if (those who do not know Christ and the Father) (do not understand the doctrine and do not do what is said) of the (Light), they (are like a drunken man), because they (cannot understand) the (Christ). 

Isa 19:14 The LORD hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof: and they have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken man staggereth in his vomit. 

Isa 28:7-13 But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment. For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean. Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. 

Continuing at verse 11: 

Joh 11:11-16 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. 

These things said (the savior and deliverer): and after that (the savior and deliverer) saith unto them, Those (whom God Helps) (are spiritually dead); but (the savior and deliverer) goes, that (the savior and deliverer) may (cause them to understand the truth). Then said the (followers but not yet believers), Lord, if he (whom God Helps) sleep, he (whom God Helps) shall do well. Howbeit (the savior and deliverer) spake of those (whom God Helps) (spiritual) death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said (the savior and deliverer) unto the (followers but not yet believers) plainly, Those (whom God Helps) are (spiritually dead). And I (the savior and deliverer) am glad for your sakes that I (the savior and deliverer) was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let (the savior and deliverers) go unto those (whom God Helps). Then said the (unstable double minded), which is called Didymus the (unstable double minded), unto the other (followers but not yet believers), Let us also go, that we may die with (the savior and deliverer). 

Sleep = spiritually dead, not knowing anything of the spirit 

Job 8:5-9 If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty; If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous. Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase. For enquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers: (For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow🙂 

Ecc 9:5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. 

Joh 11:1-16 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) Therefore, his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. 

Now the full interpretation: 

Now (those who do not know Christ and the Father) which are (full of sin), (whom God Helps), of (the house of misery and affliction), the (dwelling place) of (their rebellion) and (the rebellious and bitter one). (It is (the church) which (sanctifies) the (The Body) with (the word), and (washes) (the saviors and deliverers) (way of life) with (the churches) (glory), our (body), (whom God Helps), is (full of sin).) (the rebellious and bitter ones) sent unto (the savior and deliverer), saying, Lord, behold, those (whom God Helps) whom (the savior and deliverer) (chastens) is (full of sin). When (the savior and deliverer) heard that, (the savior and deliverer) said, This (sinfulness) not unto the (unrepenting of our sins), but for the glory of God, that the (Christ and his Christs) might be glorified thereby. Now (the savior and deliverer) (chastens) (the rebellious and bitter one), in (their rebellion), (whom God Helps). When (the savior and deliverer) had heard therefore that those (whom God Helps) was (full of sin), (the savior and deliverer) abode (witnessing) where (eyes are being opened and sharing life giving waters). Then after that saith (the savior and deliverer) to the (followers but not yet believers), Let us go into (praise and confession) again. The (followers but not yet believers) say unto (the savior and deliverer), Master, the (killers of Christ) of late sought to (kill) (the savior and deliverer); and goest thou thither to (the house of misery and affliction) again? (the savior and deliverer) answered, Isn’t there a (foundation of Light)? If (those who do know Christ and the Father) (understands the doctrine and does what is said) of the (Light), they (walk the narrow way), because they (understand) the (Christ). But if (those who do not know Christ and the Father) (do not understand the doctrine and do not do what is said) of the (Light), they (are like a drunken man), because they (cannot understand) the (Christ). These things said (the savior and deliverer): and after that (the savior and deliverer) saith unto them, Those (whom God Helps) (are spiritually dead); but (the savior and deliverer) goes, that (the savior and deliverer) may (cause them to understand the truth). Then said the (followers but not yet believers), Lord, if he (whom God Helps) sleep, he (whom God Helps) shall do well. Howbeit (the savior and deliverer) spake of those (whom God Helps) (spiritual) death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said (the savior and deliverer) unto the (followers but not yet believers) plainly, Those (whom God Helps) are (spiritually dead). And I (the savior and deliverer) am glad for your sakes that I (the savior and deliverer) was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let (the savior and deliverers) go unto those (whom God Helps). Then said the (unstable double-minded), which is called Didymus the (unstable double-minded), unto the other (followers but not yet believers), Let us also go, that we may die with (the savior and deliverer). 

Lord willing, we have gained a little spiritual insight into what our Lord is doing with the body of Christ, His church. To many this is a hard saying, and they do not have this ability to spiritually discern the scriptures. We will have mockers and accusers that say we are too spiritual, but that is not our concern in this age. Our main concern is coming to know Christ and His Father, and we do this through dying daily to the carnal mind. 

Joh 6:60-66 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back and walked no more with him. 

1Co 2:12-14 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 

1Co 15:31-34 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. 

Rom 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 

1Jn 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.