SEV Biblia, Chapter 11:37
Y unos de ellos dijeron: ¿No podía éste que abrió los ojos al ciego, hacer que éste no muriera?
Clarke's Bible Commentary - John 11:37
Verse 37. Could not this man, which opened the eyes, &c.] Through the maliciousness of their hearts, these Jews considered the tears of Jesus as a proof of his weakness. We may suppose them to have spoken thus: "If he loved him so well, why did he not heal him? And if he could have healed him, why did he not do it, seeing he testifies so much sorrow at his death? Let none hereafter vaunt the miracle of the blind man's cure; if he had been capable of doing that, he would not have permitted his friend to die." Thus will men reason, or rather madden, concerning the works and providence of God; till, by his farther miracles of mercy or judgment, he converts or confounds them.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 37. And some of them said , etc.] Who were averse to him, and bore him a secret grudge, and were willing to put the worst construction on every action of his: could not this man which opened the eyes of the blind ; as it is said, at least pretended, that he did, ( John 9:6,7), for this must be understood as calling the miracle into question, and as a sneer upon it, and not as taking it for granted that so it was; and even supposing that, it is mentioned to his reproach, since if so, he might have caused that, even this man should not died : for either the above cure was a sham, or, if it was a real thing, he who did that could have prevented Lazarus’s death; and if he could, and would not, where is his friendship? and what must be thought of all this show of affection to him? and what are these tears, but crocodile ones? but this reasoning, as specious as it may seem, was very fallacious; for he that cured the man born blind could raise Lazarus from the dead, which he intended; and therefore did not prevent his death, that he might still give more joy to the family, bring more glory to God, and himself, and more shame and confusion to his enemies.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 33-46 - Christ's tender sympathy with these afflicted friends, appeared by the troubles of his spirit. In all the afflictions of believers he is afflicted. His concern for them was shown by his kind inquiry after the remains of his deceased friend. Being found in fashion as a man, he acts in the way and manner of the sons of men. It was shown by his tears. He was a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. Tears of compassion resemble those of Christ. But Christ never approved tha sensibility of which many are proud, while they weep at mere tales of distress, but are hardened to real woe. He sets us an example to withdraw from scenes of giddy mirth, that we may comfort the afflicted And we have not a High Priest who cannot be touched with a feeling of our infirmities. It is a good step toward raising a soul to spiritual life, when the stone is taken away, when prejudices are removed, an got over, and way is made for the word to enter the heart. If we tak Christ's word, and rely on his power and faithfulness, we shall see the glory of God, and be happy in the sight. Our Lord Jesus has taught us by his own example, to call God Father, in prayer, and to draw nigh to him as children to a father, with humble reverence, yet with holy boldness. He openly made this address to God, with uplifted eyes an loud voice, that they might be convinced the Father had sent him as his beloved Son into the world. He could have raised Lazarus by the silen exertion of his power and will, and the unseen working of the Spirit of life; but he did it by a loud call. This was a figure of the gospe call, by which dead souls are brought out of the grave of sin: and of the sound of the archangel's trumpet at the last day, with which all that sleep in the dust shall be awakened, and summoned before the grea tribunal. The grave of sin and this world, is no place for those who Christ has quickened; they must come forth. Lazarus was thoroughl revived, and returned not only to life, but to health. The sinne cannot quicken his own soul, but he is to use the means of grace; the believer cannot sanctify himself, but he is to lay aside every weigh and hinderance. We cannot convert our relatives and friends, but we should instruct, warn, and invite them.
Greek Textus Receptus
τινες 5100 X-NPM δε 1161 CONJ εξ 1537 PREP αυτων 846 P-GPM ειπον 2036 5627 V-2AAI-3P ουκ 3756 PRT-N ηδυνατο 1410 5711 V-INI-3S-ATT ουτος 3778 D-NSM ο 3588 T-NSM ανοιξας 455 5660 V-AAP-NSM τους 3588 T-APM οφθαλμους 3788 N-APM του 3588 T-GSM τυφλου 5185 A-GSM ποιησαι 4160 5658 V-AAN ινα 2443 CONJ και 2532 CONJ ουτος 3778 D-NSM μη 3361 PRT-N αποθανη 599 5632 V-2AAS-3S
Vincent's NT Word Studies
37. Of the blind (toutuflou). Referring to the restoration of the blind man in ch. 9. The A.V. is too indefinite. Rev., rightly, of him that was blind.Have caused, etc. This saying of the Jews may have been uttered ironically, in which case it throws light on the meaning of groaned in the spirit (ver. 33) and of groaning in Himself in the next verse. But the words may have been spoken sincerely.
