Devine Scripture

John 11:37

What does John 11:37 mean?

A plain-English look at John 11:37 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 11:37 means

Others in the crowd ask whether the One who opened the eyes of the blind could have kept Lazarus from dying. Their question mixes recognition of past power with present doubt. It implicitly asks why a miracle-worker allowed a friend to perish. This skepticism misunderstands Jesus’ timing and purpose. He will show that preventing death is not the only expression of divine power; overcoming death is greater. The question gives voice to many hearts in grief and sets the final tension before the tomb is opened and Jesus reveals a higher plan for God’s glory and their belief.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But some of them said, Could not this man, who opened the eyes of him that was blind, have caused that this man also should not die?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But some of them said, Could not this man, who opened the eyes of him that was blind, have caused that this man also should not die?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But some of them said, This man, who made open the eyes of the blind man, was he not able to keep his friend from death?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and certain of them said, `Was not this one, who did open the eyes of the blind man, able to cause that also this one might not have died?'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But some of them said: Could not he that opened the eyes of the man born blind have caused that this man should not die?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And some of them said, Could not this [man], who has opened the eyes of the blind [man], have caused that this [man] also should not have died?

Context

Placed after the crowd’s acknowledgment of Jesus’ love, this skeptical question shifts attention to His power and priorities. It recalls previous signs while challenging His apparent inaction. This prepares the narrative for Jesus’ renewed inner agitation and approach to the tomb, where He will command the stone’s removal. The next verses will show Martha’s practical objection, Jesus’ call to faith, and the prayer that frames the miracle’s purpose.

v.36The Jews therefore said, Behold how he loved him!

v.37This passage

v.38Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone lay against it.

Cross references

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

  • John 11:32

    Mary therefore, when she came where Jesus was, and saw him, fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

  • Psalms 78:19

    Yea, they spake against God; They said, Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?

  • Mark 15:32

    Let the Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reproached him.

  • Luke 23:35

    And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also scoffed at him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if this is the Christ of God, his chosen.

  • John 11:21

    Martha therefore said unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

  • Luke 23:39

    And one of the malefactors that were hanged railed on him, saying, Art not thou the Christ? save thyself and us.

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