Devine Scripture

John 11:41

What does John 11:41 mean?

A plain-English look at John 11:41 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 11:41 means

They remove the stone, and Jesus prays aloud, thanking the Father for hearing Him. His prayer is not a plea of uncertainty but a public expression of gratitude, revealing His constant communion with the Father. He wants those present to understand that what is about to happen flows from this relationship. The thanksgiving anticipates the answer, showing confident dependence rather than independent display. The verse invites onlookers to connect the forthcoming sign with the Father’s will and the Son’s obedience, so that their faith will rest not merely on power seen but on the Sender and the One He sent.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou heardest me.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou heardest me.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

So they took away the stone. And Jesus, looking up to heaven, said, Father, I give praise to you for hearing me.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

They took away, therefore, the stone where the dead was laid, and Jesus lifted his eyes upwards, and said, `Father, I thank Thee, that Thou didst hear me;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

They took therefore the stone away. And Jesus lifting up his eyes, said: Father, I give thee thanks that thou hast heard me.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

They took therefore the stone away. And Jesus lifted up his eyes on high and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me;

Context

After Jesus’ call to believe and see God’s glory, the stone is taken away. Jesus immediately frames the miracle with prayer, lifting His eyes in thanks. The next verse will explain that He speaks aloud for the crowd’s benefit, to foster belief that the Father sent Him. This prayerful pause ensures that the resurrection of Lazarus will be interpreted as a sign of Jesus’ divine mission, not as a spectacle divorced from God’s purpose.

v.40Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou believedst, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

v.41This passage

v.42And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the multitude that standeth around I said it, that they may believe that thou didst send me.

Cross references

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

  • Luke 10:21

    In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou didst hide these things from the wise and understanding, and didst reveal them unto babes: yea, Father; for so it was well-pleasing in thy sight.

  • Psalms 123:1

    Unto thee do I lift up mine eyes, O thou that sittest in the heavens.

  • Matthew 11:25

    At that season Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou didst hide these things from the wise and understanding, and didst reveal them unto babes:

  • John 17:1

    These things spake Jesus; and lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that the Son may glorify thee:

  • Luke 18:13

    But the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote his breast, saying, God, be thou merciful to me a sinner.

  • Philippians 4:6

    In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

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