John 11:25

"Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”"

Key Reflection

In John 11:25, Martha expresses a belief common among Jews of that time—that the righteous would be resurrected at the end of days. This expectation was rooted in Deuteronomy 15:17 and Daniel 12:2, where the idea of resurrection is mentioned, though often in apocalyptic contexts. The original audience would have understood Martha's statement as a reference to a future, cosmic event, not immediate or personal, contrasting with Jesus' revelation that true believers could experience resurrection through faith right then.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 25. I am the resurrection. I am the author or the cause of the resurrection. It so depends on my power and will, that it may be said that I am the resurrection itself. This is a most expressive way of saying that the whole doctrine of the resurrection came from him, and the whole power to effect it was his. In a similar manner he is said to be made of God unto us "wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctifcation, and redemption," 1 Co 1:30. And the life. Joh 1:4. As the resurrection of all depends on him, he intimated that it was not indispensable that it should be deferred to the last day. He had power to do it now as well as then. Though he were dead.

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