Bible Commentaries
John 11

Verses 1-57

Here we have the account of the last sign wrought by Jesus as recorded by John, namely, the raising of Lazarus. Very beautiful in this connection is the depiction of the sorrow of the sisters, and our Lord's method of dealing with each of them in turn. His approach to the grave revealed some of the deepest things in His own attitude. He was troubled in the presence of the sin and unbelief which had its final expression in death. Nevertheless, He acted with complete authority, and as a sign of His redeeming power raised Lazarus, and restored him to his loved ones.

This last sign raised the opposition of His foes to definite activity. The degraded condition of things is seen in the fact that the chief priests, who were Sadducees, made common with the Pharisees in their action against Jesus. It was at this point that Caiaphas gave his advice characterized by cunning and his contempt for Jesus. As a result, the council determined on the Master's death. It was then that Jesus retired into "a country near to the wilderness," where He tarried for a while with His disciples.