Devine Scripture

John 11:42

What does John 11:42 mean?

A plain-English look at John 11:42 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 11:42 means

Jesus explains His audible thanksgiving: He knows the Father always hears Him, but He speaks for the crowd’s sake, so they may believe the Father sent Him. The purpose of the sign is faith in His divine mission and identity. Jesus is not performing for applause; He is revealing the unity of the Father and the Son. By stating this openly, He invites the witnesses to interpret what they see as confirmation that He is the One commissioned by God. The miracle is thus anchored in revelation, calling for belief that recognizes Jesus as the Sent One.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

I was certain that your ears are at all times open to me, but I said it because of these who are here, so that they may see that you sent me.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and I knew that Thou always dost hear me, but, because of the multitude that is standing by, I said <FI>it<Fi> , that they may believe that Thou didst send me.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people who stand about have I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

but I knew that thou always hearest me; but on account of the crowd who stand around I have said [it], that they may believe that thou hast sent me.

Context

This verse completes Jesus’ prayer, clarifying its intention as a witness to His relationship with the Father. With the theological frame stated plainly, He is ready to act. The next verse records His loud command calling Lazarus forth, followed by the astonishing emergence of the man still bound in grave-clothes. The progression from prayer to command ensures that faith will have a sure object: the Father who hears and the Son who speaks life.

v.41So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou heardest me.

v.42This passage

v.43And when he had thus spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

Cross references

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

  • John 17:25

    O righteous Father, the world knew thee not, but I knew thee; and these knew that thou didst send me;

  • John 9:24

    So they called a second time the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give glory to God: we know that this man is a sinner.

  • John 17:8

    for the words which thou gavest me I have given unto them; and they received them, and knew of a truth that I came forth from thee, and they believed that thou didst send me.

  • John 7:28

    Jesus therefore cried in the temple, teaching and saying, Ye both know me, and know whence I am; and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.

  • John 3:17

    For God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through him.

  • John 8:42

    Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I came forth and am come from God; for neither have I come of myself, but he sent me.

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