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Home , John 11

The Diocese of New Jersey Wednesday Evening On-Line Study Study Notes – John 11: The Raising of Lazarus

(You may wish to print this study guide and use it to make notes during your reading or take notes during the study.)

Study Sources:

The New Oxford Annotated Study Bible – NRSV – among Fully Revised Fourth Edition

Abingdon Commentary: John D. Moody Smith (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1999)

Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture: The of John Martin, Francis and Wright IV, William M. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2015)

Interpretation – A Bible Commentary for Preaching and Teaching: John Sloyan, Gerard (Louisville: Westminster – John Knox Press, 1988)

If you are able, in preparation for this session, read the following:

Gospel of :1 -18 Gospel of :25 – 30 : Chapters 10 and 11 : 19-31 : 38 - 42

Setting the stage:

Chapter 11 relates the raising of Lazarus, the final and ultimate “sign” performed by in the so- called John’s Gospel (chapters 2 – 12). This “sign” had been anticipated in John 5: 25 – 30. It will bring to a head Jesus’ conflict with the religious authorities; a conflict which has been building (see chapter 10). The raising of Lazarus becomes the “trigger” that leads the authorities to seek Jesus’ death. This is in contrast to the synoptic (Matthew, Mark and Luke) which portray Jesus’ cleansing of the Temple as the precipitating event leading to his arrest and execution. The synoptics portray the cleansing of the Temple late in Jesus’s ministry, after he enters on Palm Sunday, during his only visit to the city. John, on the other hand, had portrayed the cleansing of the Temple in chapter 2 of his gospel and Jesus had travelled to Jerusalem multiple times for various festivals.

Outline of John, chapter 11 – The Resurrection and the Life (From Martin and Wright)

A. The One You Love is Ill (11:1-6)

B. Lazarus Has Died (11:7-16)

C. The Resurrection and the Life (11:17-27)

D. The Grief of the Son of God (11:28-37)

E. The Dead Hear the Voice of the Son of God (11:38-44)

F. Plans and Prophesies (11:45-54)

Questions for Reflection

1. As we read this passage in the midst of a world pandemic, what part of it: a. Speaks to us? b. Challenges or puzzle us? c. Gives us hope? 2. What did you see in chapter 11 that indicates this passage is distinctly from John’s Gospel? (Themes, motifs?) 3. How does this “sign” serve Jesus’ message and mission? 4. What difference, if any, is there between what happens to Lazarus in John chapter 11 and what happens with Jesus on Easter Day? 5. If you were the preacher this coming Sunday, what would be the “Good News?”