Devine Scripture

John 11:16

What does John 11:16 mean?

A plain-English look at John 11:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 11:16 means

Thomas, called Didymus, voices a somber courage: “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” He seems to expect that returning to Judæa will cost them their lives. His words blend loyalty with pessimism; he is willing to share Jesus’ fate even if he cannot envision victory. The statement shows that discipleship moves forward amid imperfect understanding. Thomas’s loyalty, though tinged with gloom, is genuine and commendable. His resolve models companionship with Christ into danger, foreshadowing later growth in faith when he will see the risen Lord and move from doubt to confession.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Thomas therefore, who is called Didymus, said unto his fellow-disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Thomas therefore, who is called Didymus, said unto his fellow-disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then Thomas, who was named Didymus, said to the other disciples, Let us go so that we may be with him in death.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

therefore said Thomas, who is called Didymus, to the fellow-disciples, `We may go--we also, that we may die with him,'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Thomas therefore, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples: Let us also go, that we may die with him.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Thomas therefore, called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

Context

After Jesus insists on going for the sake of belief, Thomas speaks for the group’s anxious devotion. This ends the travel decision and leads into the scene at Bethany. The next verse will note that Lazarus has already been in the tomb four days, underscoring the finality of death and setting the stage for an undeniable sign. Thomas’s words frame the journey as perilous, magnifying the courage and the cost surrounding what Jesus is about to do.

v.15And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.

v.16This passage

v.17So when Jesus came, he found that he had been in the tomb four days already.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 11:8

    The disciples say unto him, Rabbi, the Jews were but now seeking to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?

  • Acts 1:13

    And when they were come in, they went up into the upper chamber, where they were abiding; both Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphæus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.

  • John 13:37

    Peter saith unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee even now? I will lay down my life for thee.

  • Luke 6:15

    and Matthew and Thomas, and James the son of Alphæus, and Simon who was called the Zealot,

  • Luke 22:33

    And he said unto him, Lord, with thee I am ready to go both to prison and to death.

  • Matthew 10:3

    Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphæus, and Thaddæus;

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