And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto 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.”
- BSB and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to 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 2:10Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
- John 14:10–11Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
- 1 Jn 5:13These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
- Isa 54:15Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.
- John 11:35–36Jesus wept.
- John 11:4When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
- John 2:11This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
- 2 Cor 4:15For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
- Isa 65:8Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants’ sakes, that I may not destroy them all.
- John 12:30Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
- John 17:19And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
- Gen 26:24And the LORD appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham’s sake.
- Gen 39:5And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.
- Ps 105:14He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes;
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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.