John 11:14
What does John 11:14 mean?
A plain-English look at John 11:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 11:14 means
Jesus removes all ambiguity: “Lazarus is dead.” He speaks plainly to align the disciples with reality before revealing purpose. This stark statement clears away false hopes of natural recovery and forces them to face the finality of death as humans know it. Yet, by telling them now, He also prepares them to grasp the magnitude of what He intends to do. Plain speech here is mercy; it steadies the disciples for faith. The Lord who names death without flinching is the same Lord who will soon call Lazarus by name out of the grave.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Then Jesus therefore said unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Then Jesus therefore said unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then Jesus said to them clearly, Lazarus is dead.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Then, therefore, Jesus said to them freely, `Lazarus hath died;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Then therefore Jesus said to them plainly: Lazarus is dead.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Jesus therefore then said to them plainly, Lazarus has died.
Context
After John’s clarification, Jesus directly states Lazarus’s death. This decisive word ends the misunderstanding begun in verse 11. The following verse will add that His absence served their belief and that He intends to go to Lazarus. The sequence moves from metaphor to reality to purpose, building the theological frame for the miracle. It also deepens the tension about returning to Judæa, since the danger remains while the task has become more daunting humanly speaking.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 10:24
The Jews therefore came round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou hold us in suspense? If thou art the Christ, tell us plainly.
- John 16:25
These things have I spoken unto you in dark sayings: the hour cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in dark sayings, but shall tell you plainly of the Father.
- John 16:29
His disciples say, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no dark saying.
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