What does Jesus' command in John 11:43 reveal about His relationship with the Father?

Setting the scene

• John 11:43: “When He had said this, He cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’”

• Spoken moments after Jesus thanked the Father for always hearing Him (vv. 41–42).

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A command flowing from communion

• The miracle is not a solo act; it is the outworking of an already-agreed plan between Father and Son.

• Jesus verbalizes the Father’s will, making their fellowship public.

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Shared divine authority

• Only God gives life (Deuteronomy 32:39). Jesus issues the life-giving word, showing He bears the Father’s own power.

• John 5:21: “Just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son…”—same authority, distinct Persons.

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Unity of will and purpose

• John 5:19: “The Son can do nothing by Himself… He can do only what He sees the Father doing.”

• Lazarus’s resurrection is evidence: Father intends, Son commands, life returns.

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Dependence without deficiency

• Jesus prays aloud “so that they may believe You sent Me” (v. 42), displaying voluntary dependence.

• The loud command immediately follows, displaying undiminished sovereignty.

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Revelation of divine glory

• John 11:4: The event is “for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

• Father glorifies Son; Son glorifies Father (cf. John 17:1).

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Pattern repeated elsewhere

• John 12:49: “I have not spoken on My own; the Father… has commanded Me what to say.”

• John 14:10: “The words I say… it is the Father dwelling in Me who does His works.”

• Lazarus’s awakening is one instance of this constant Father-Son synergy.

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Key takeaways

• Father and Son operate in perfect harmony—what Jesus speaks, the Father performs.

• Jesus’ authority over death is inherent, eternally shared with the Father.

• Believers can rest in Jesus’ promises knowing they carry the full weight of divine unity and power.