The Gospel of John Chapter 11:28-37
Explore John 11:28–37 as Jesus calls Mary, weeps over Lazarus, and reveals His divine empathy and holy anger against death. Read the full study.
The Death of Lazarus: The Conversation with Mary & Jesus’ Grief (III)
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Partner Acknowledgment
Good afternoon. Before we dive into God’s Word today, we want to express our deep gratitude to our supporting ministry partners:
- Luminous Church — San Antonio, TX
- Sowers Church of Christ — San Antonio, TX
- Christian Community Church of Ministry — Bangladesh
- Victory Group Bible Study
Thank you for standing faithfully alongside us as we proclaim the grace, truth, and light of Jesus Christ.
Introduction
Martha’s glorious confession of faith in verse 27 marks a pivotal turning point in John’s Gospel. Having anchored her heart in who Jesus is, she turns back toward the house of mourning—not as a victim of grief, but as a messenger of hope. She goes to call her sister Mary, whispering secretly, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.”
As we transition into today’s study—Part III: The Conversation with Mary and Jesus’ Grief (John 11:28–37)—we see Jesus move from high theological discussion with Martha to the raw, visceral empathy of weeping alongside Mary. We watch the Resurrection and the Life walk directly toward the tomb, groaning in spirit and deeply troubled, setting the stage for the greatest sign of His earthly ministry.
Today, we will examine three key movements across these verses and explore their broader biblical connections:
· Movement I: The Secret Call & Prompt Response (vv. 28–31)
· Movement II: Raw Sorrow at the Master’s Feet (vv. 32–33)
· Movement III: The Divine Weeping & Human Division (vv. 34–37)
Scripture Reading John 11:28-37 (NKJV)
And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, “The Teacher has come and is calling for you.” 29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met Him. 31 Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, “She is going to the tomb to weep there.”
32 Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”
33 Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. 34 And He said, “Where have you laid him?”
They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.”
35 Jesus wept. 36 Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!”
37 And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?”
Movement I: The Secret Call & Prompt Response (vv. 28–31)
“When she said this, she went and called her sister Mary in secret, saying, ‘The Teacher is here and is calling for you.’ And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet come into the village but was still in the place where Martha had met him. When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there.”
Exposition & Biblical Themes