Clarke's Bible Commentary - John 11:12
Verse 12. If he sleep, he shall do well.] That is, if he sleep only, &c. Though the word sleep frequently meant death, (see Acts vii. 60; 1 Cor. xi. 30; xv. 18, 20,) yet, as it was an ambiguous term, the disciples appear here to have mistaken its meaning. Because, in certain acute disorders, the composing the patient to rest was a favourable sign; therefore the words, If he sleep, he shall do well, or recover, became a proverbial forth of speech among the Jews. In most diseases, sleep is a very favourable prognostic: hence that saying of Menander: - upnov de pashv estin ugieia nosou.
Sleep is a remedy for every disease. See Grotius here. The meaning of the disciples seems to have been this: There can be no need for thee to go into Judea to awake our friend Lazarus; he will awake time enough, and his very sleep is a presage of his recovery: therefore do not hazard thy life by going.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 12. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep , etc.] Soundly, quietly, and comfortably, and takes rest in it: he shall do well ; or be saved from the disease; he will be delivered from it; he will recover out of it; it is a sign the distemper is leaving him, and he is growing better, and will be restored to his health again: the Ethiopic version renders it by many words, he will be well, and will awake, and will live. Sound sleep is a sign of health. This they said to, put off their master from going into Judea, fearing the danger he would be exposed unto.
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
ειπον 2036 5627 V-2AAI-3P ουν 3767 CONJ οι 3588 T-NPM μαθηται 3101 N-NPM αυτου 846 P-GSM κυριε 2962 N-VSM ει 1487 COND κεκοιμηται 2837 5769 V-RPI-3S σωθησεται 4982 5701 V-FPI-3S
Vincent's NT Word Studies
12. Shall do well (swqhsetai). Literally, shall be saved. Rev., he will recover. Wyc., shall be safe. Tyndale's Version of the New Testament, shall he do well enough.
