John 11:17
What does John 11:17 mean?
A plain-English look at John 11:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 11:17 means
On arrival, Jesus learns Lazarus has been in the tomb four days. This detail is crucial: burial customs and common expectations left no room for a mistaken diagnosis. Four days in the grave means decay has begun; death’s grip appears absolute. The timing validates Jesus’ delay and magnifies the sign He is about to perform. It reassures the reader that what follows is not resuscitation from faintness but a true reversal of death. The verse heightens both the sorrow in the household and the dramatic contrast with the life-giving word Jesus will speak.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000So when Jesus came, he found that he had been in the tomb four days already.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901So when Jesus came, he found that he had been in the tomb four days already.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Now when Jesus came, he made the discovery that Lazarus had been put into the earth four days before.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Jesus, therefore, having come, found him having been four days already in the tomb.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Jesus therefore came: and found that he had been four days already in the grave.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Jesus therefore [on] arriving found him to have been four days already in the tomb.
Context
Moving from decision to arrival, the narrative fixes the timeline of Lazarus’s death. The four days emphasize finality and prepare for the objections about decay. The next verses will note Bethany’s proximity to Jerusalem and the presence of many mourners, ensuring many witnesses. This context shows that Jesus is about to act publicly, near the heart of religious authority, which will fuel both belief and opposition. The gravity of the situation is now beyond dispute.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Hosea 6:2
After two days will he revive us: on the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live before him.
- John 2:19
Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
- Acts 2:27
Because thou wilt not leave my soul unto Hades, Neither wilt thou give thy Holy One to see corruption.
- John 11:39
Jesus saith, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time the body decayeth; for he hath been dead four days.
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