and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”
Parallel translations
- WEB I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe. Nevertheless, let’s go to him.”
- KJV And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
- NKJV And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him.”
- NASB and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let’s go to him.”
- NLT And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there, for now you will really believe. Come, let’s go see him.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jesus says He is glad He was not there, for their sakes, that they may believe, and calls them to go to Lazarus. The coming miracle is meant to strengthen their faith.
Overview
Jesus' absence allowed Lazarus to die so that a greater sign could deepen the disciples' belief. His gladness is not at the grief but at the faith the resurrection will produce. The verse shows that God orders even hard providences to build His people's trust.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- 2 Tim 2:10For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
- John 14:10–11Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words I say to you, I do not speak on My own. Instead, it is the Father dwelling in Me, performing His works.
- 1 Jn 5:13I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.
- Isa 54:15If anyone attacks you, it is not from Me; whoever assails you will fall before you.
- John 11:35–36Jesus wept.
- John 11:4When Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
- John 2:11Jesus performed this, the first of His signs, at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.
- 2 Cor 4:15All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is extending to more and more people may overflow in thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
- Isa 65:8This is what the LORD says: “As the new wine is found in a cluster of grapes, and men say, ‘Do not destroy it, for it contains a blessing,’ so I will act on behalf of My servants; I will not destroy them all.
- John 12:30In response, Jesus said, “This voice was not for My benefit, but yours.
- John 17:19For them I sanctify Myself, so that they too may be sanctified by the truth.
- Gen 26:24and that night the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for the sake of My servant Abraham.”
- Gen 39:5From the time that he put Joseph in charge of his household and all he owned, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s household on account of him. The LORD’s blessing was on everything he owned, both in his house and in his field.
- Ps 105:14He let no man oppress them; He rebuked kings on their behalf:
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
John declares him plainly: the eternal Word made flesh, the Lamb of God, the great 'I AM' — bread, light, door, shepherd, way, truth, life, resurrection — that you may believe and have life in his name.
How John 11:15 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.