John 11:24
What does John 11:24 mean?
A plain-English look at John 11:24 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 11:24 means
Martha replies with sound doctrine: Lazarus will rise in the resurrection at the last day. She affirms a future hope held by many Jews, but she does not yet expect an immediate reversal. Her answer shows faith in God’s ultimate plan, yet it also reveals the limits of her present expectation. She believes in resurrection as a scheduled event, not as a power available now in Jesus. This sets the stage for Jesus to shift her focus from a date on the calendar to a Person who embodies life itself. Martha stands ready for a deeper revelation.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Martha said to him, I am certain that he will come to life again when all come back from the dead at the last day.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Martha saith to him, `I have known that he will rise again, in the rising again in the last day;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Martha saith to him: I know that he shall rise again, in the resurrection at the last day.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Martha says to him, I know that he will rise again in the resurrection in the last day.
Context
After Jesus promises Lazarus will rise, Martha interprets it eschatologically, affirming the last-day resurrection. This opens the door for Jesus’ climactic self-revelation in the next verses. The contrast between future hope and present Person drives the theological heart of the chapter. Jesus will now declare Himself the source of resurrection and life, pressing Martha to personal belief and confession. The conversation is moving from general doctrine to Christological identity.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 26:19
Thy dead shall live; my dead bodies shall arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in the dust; for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast forth the dead.
- Ezekiel 37:1
The hand of Jehovah was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of Jehovah, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones.
- Psalms 17:15
As for me, I shall behold thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with beholding thy form.
- John 5:28
Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice,
- Psalms 49:14
They are appointed as a flock for Sheol; Death shall be their shepherd: And the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; And their beauty shall be for Sheol to consume, That there be no habitation for it.
- Matthew 22:23
On that day there came to him Sadducees, they that say that there is no resurrection: and they asked him,
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