What is the meaning of John 11:6?

So on hearing that Lazarus was sick

– Jesus already knew Lazarus’s condition from the messengers (John 11:3-4).

– His immediate awareness echoes earlier moments when He discerned situations without being physically present (John 1:48; Luke 7:6-9).

– The phrase underscores that Christ’s decisions are never made in ignorance; He fully grasps every detail of our trials (Psalm 139:1-4).

– Key takeaway: Our Lord’s perfect knowledge precedes His perfect timing. Nothing surprises Him, and nothing forces Him into hurried action (Isaiah 46:10).

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He stayed where He was

– Rather than rushing to Bethany, Jesus remained in Perea, demonstrating deliberate restraint.

– This mirrors other instances where He refused to act on human schedules—“My time has not yet come” (John 2:4; 7:6).

– By staying put, He teaches that obedience to the Father, not public pressure, guides His steps (John 5:19).

– Bullet points of purpose:

• To reveal a greater glory through resurrection, not mere healing (John 11:4, 40).

• To strengthen the disciples’ faith by allowing circumstances to become impossible apart from divine intervention (John 11:14-15).

• To provide irrefutable evidence of His mastery over death, foreshadowing His own resurrection (John 10:17-18; 1 Corinthians 15:20).

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for two days

– The short delay ensured Lazarus would be in the tomb four days by Jesus’ arrival (John 11:17), removing any doubt about the reality of death and decay (cf. Martha’s remark in John 11:39).

– In Jewish thought, the spirit was believed to linger near the body for up to three days; the fourth day sealed the certainty of death, magnifying the miracle (Acts 9:40-41).

– Practical pastoral lessons:

• God’s delays are purposeful, never idle (Habakkuk 2:3).

• Waiting seasons refine trust; they are not evidence of abandonment (Psalm 27:14; Isaiah 40:31).

• When His answer finally comes, it often exceeds the original request, turning sorrow into deeper worship (John 11:45; Ephesians 3:20).

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summary

John 11:6 reveals that the Lord’s omniscient love governs His timing. He heard, He cared, yet He delayed, orchestrating a situation where His glory would shine brighter, faith would grow stronger, and the shadow of the cross would loom clearer. What feels like divine hesitation is often divine preparation.