John 11:16

"I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe. Nevertheless, let’s go to him.”"

Key Reflection

John 11:16 reflects Jesus' purposeful absence during the illness of Lazarus, allowing the disciples to experience a profound moment of faith through witnessing the resurrection. This event serves as a pivotal demonstration of divine power and confirms their belief in Jesus’ teachings and miracles.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 16. Thomas, which is called Didymus. These names express the same thing. One is Hebrew and the other Greek. The name means a twin. Die with him. It has been much doubted by critics whether the word him refers to Lazarus or to Jesus. They who refer it to Lazarus suppose this to be the meaning: "Let us go and die, for what have we to hope for if Jesus returns into Judea? Lately they attempted to stone him, and now they will put him to death, and we also, like Lazarus, shall be dead." This expression is supposed to be added by John to show the slowness with which Thomas believed, and his readiness to doubt without the fullest evidence. See Joh 20:25.

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