SEV Biblia, Chapter 11:11
Dicho esto, les dice despus: Lzaro nuestro amigo duerme; mas voy a despertarle del sueo.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - John 11:11
Verse 11. Lazarus sleepeth] It was very common among the Jews to express death by sleep; and the expression, falling asleep-sleeping with their fathers, &c., were in great use among them. The Hebrews probably used this form of speech to signify their belief in the immortality of the soul, and the resurrection of the body. It is certain that our Lord received no intimation of Lazarus's death from any person, and that he knew it through that power by which he knows all things.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 11. These things said he , etc.] In answer to his disciples, and made a pause. And after that he saith unto them, our friend Lazarus sleepeth ; meaning, that he was dead; in which sense the word is often used in the Old Testament, and in the common dialect of the Jews, and frequently in their writings; and especially it is so used of good men: and it is an observation of theirs f485 , that it is usual to say of the righteous, that there is no death in them, hny ala , but sleep; (see Gill on Matthew 9:24), (see Gill on 1 Corinthians 15:18), (see Gill on 1 Corinthians 15:20), (see Gill on 1 Thessalonians 4:13), (see Gill on 1 Thessalonians 4:14); but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep ; that is, to raise him from the dead, for, the resurrection of the dead is expressed by awaking; (see Psalm 17:15 Isaiah 26:19 Daniel 12:2); which for Christ to do, was as easy as to awake a man out of natural sleep: these words respecting Lazaruss sleeping and awaking, express both the omniscience and omnipotence of Christ; his omniscience, that he should know that Lazarus was dead; when at such a distance from him; and his omnipotence, that he could raise him from the dead; and yet his great modesty to signify it in, such covert language, though not difficult to be understood.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 11-16 - Since we are sure to rise again at the last, why should not the believing hope of that resurrection to eternal life, make it as eas for us to put off the body and die, as it is to put off our clothes an go to sleep? A true Christian, when he dies, does but sleep; he rest from the labours of the past day. Nay, herein death is better tha sleep, that sleep is only a short rest, but death is the end of earthl cares and toils. The disciples thought that it was now needless for Christ to go to Lazarus, and expose himself and them. Thus we ofte hope that the good work we are called to do, will be done by some othe hand, if there be peril in the doing of it. But when Christ raise Lazarus from the dead, many were brought to believe on him; and ther was much done to make perfect the faith of those that believed. Let u go to him; death cannot separate from the love of Christ, nor put u out of the reach of his call. Like Thomas, in difficult time Christians should encourage one another. The dying of the Lord Jesu should make us willing to die whenever God calls us.
Greek Textus Receptus
ταυτα 5023 D-APN ειπεν 2036 5627 V-2AAI-3S και 2532 CONJ μετα 3326 PREP τουτο 5124 D-ASN λεγει 3004 5719 V-PAI-3S αυτοις 846 P-DPM λαζαρος 2976 N-NSM ο 3588 T-NSM φιλος 5384 A-NSM ημων 2257 P-1GP κεκοιμηται 2837 5769 V-RPI-3S αλλα 235 CONJ πορευομαι 4198 5736 V-PNI-1S ινα 2443 CONJ εξυπνισω 1852 5661 V-AAS-1S αυτον 846 P-ASM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
11. Sleepeth (kekoimhtai). More correctly, as Rev., hath fallen asleep. See on Acts vii. 60; 2 Pet. iii. 4.Awake him out of sleep (exupnisw auton). Only here in the New Testament.
