I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe. Nevertheless, let’s go to him.”
Parallel translations
- 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.
- 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 chosen ones’ sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
- John 14:10–11Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I tell you, I speak not from myself; but the Father who lives in me does his works.
- 1 Jn 5:13These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
- Isa 54:15Behold, they may gather together, but not by me. Whoever gathers together against you will fall because of you.
- John 11:35–36Jesus wept.
- John 11:4But when Jesus heard it, he said, “This sickness is not to death, but for the glory of God, that God’s Son may be glorified by it.”
- John 2:11This beginning of his signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
- 2 Cor 4:15For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
- Isa 65:8Yahweh says, “As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one says, ‘Don’t destroy it, for a blessing is in it:’ so will I do for my servants’ sake, that I may not destroy them all.
- John 12:30Jesus answered, “This voice hasn’t come for my sake, but for your sakes.
- John 17:19For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.
- Gen 26:24Yahweh appeared to him the same night, and said, “I am the God of Abraham your father. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you, and will bless you, and multiply your offspring for my servant Abraham’s sake.”
- Gen 39:5From the time that he made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, Yahweh blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake. Yahweh’s blessing was on all that he had, in the house and in the field.
- Ps 105:14He allowed no one to do them wrong. Yes, he reproved kings for their sakes,
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.