John 11:25

My Notes

What Does John 11:25 Mean?

Jesus makes one of his most extraordinary claims to Martha at the tomb of her brother Lazarus: I am the resurrection, and the life. Not I bring resurrection. Not I teach about life. I am these things. They are embodied in his person.

"He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live" — physical death is not the final word for those who believe in Jesus. Death happens, but it does not hold. The one who died will live.

Jesus says this standing in front of a tomb with a dead man inside. The claim is made in the presence of death — not from a safe theological distance. He is about to prove it by calling Lazarus out.

"Believest thou this?" is the question Jesus asks Martha — and asks every reader. The claim is outrageous. Do you believe it? Not in theory. In practice. Do you believe that the person standing in front of you has authority over death itself?

Reflection Questions

• 1.What does 'I am the resurrection' mean compared to 'I will resurrect you someday'?
• 2.How does Jesus making this claim in front of a tomb change its weight?
• 3.What in your life feels dead and final that this verse speaks into?
• 4.How do you answer Jesus' question — 'believest thou this' — honestly?

Devotional

I am the resurrection, and the life. Jesus does not point to resurrection as a future event. He says: I am it. Right now. Standing here. In front of this tomb. I am the thing that death cannot defeat.

Though he were dead, yet shall he live. Even if death has done its worst — even if the body is in the grave, the stone is rolled, the mourners have come and gone — yet shall he live. Death is not the period at the end of the sentence. It is the comma before the next clause.

Jesus said this to a grieving woman. Martha's brother was dead. The situation was final by every human measurement. And Jesus asked: do you believe this?

Believest thou this? That is the question that still hangs in the air. Not do you understand it. Not can you explain it. Do you believe it? Do you believe that the person making this claim has the authority to back it up?

Martha said yes. And then she watched her brother walk out of a tomb. The claim was proven. The question remains: do you believe it — not just for Lazarus, but for yourself, for your losses, for your dead hopes, for everything that seems final?

I am the resurrection, and the life. Believest thou this?

Commentary

Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.

Cross References

Related passages throughout Scripture