John 11:37 – “But some of them said, ‘Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?’”
An Extended Explanation of the Verse
This verse captures the reaction of some people who witnessed Jesus’ sorrow at the tomb of Lazarus. While many were moved by His love (John 11:36), others questioned His power. They had seen Jesus perform miracles, including healing a man who was born blind (John 9:1-7). If He had the power to do that, why didn’t He prevent Lazarus from dying?
Their question reflects doubt and frustration. It also reveals a misunderstanding of Jesus’ mission. They saw Him as someone who could heal sickness, but they didn’t yet grasp that He had power over death itself. Their words suggest disappointment, as if they had expected more from Jesus and He had let them down.
This reaction is common even today—when people go through suffering, they sometimes ask why God didn’t stop it from happening. But as we see in the rest of the story, Jesus had a greater plan. He would not just prevent death; He would defeat it.
Historical Context
The setting of this verse is the village of Bethany, where Lazarus had been buried for four days. Jewish funeral customs involved public mourning, and a large crowd had gathered. Some people present were friends and neighbors of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, while others were likely religious leaders from Jerusalem.
The reference to Jesus healing a blind man connects to John 9, where Jesus healed a man who had been blind from birth. That miracle had caused a major controversy among the Pharisees, who questioned Jesus’ authority. Many people had heard about it, which is why it was brought up again in this moment.
Their question—why didn’t Jesus prevent Lazarus’ death?—shows that they believed He had power, but they had limits on what they thought He could do. They had seen Him heal, but they weren’t expecting Him to raise someone from the dead.
Theological Implications
This verse highlights a key struggle in faith: trusting God when we don’t understand His plan. The people questioning Jesus assumed that preventing Lazarus’ death would have been the best outcome. But Jesus had a greater purpose—He was about to reveal His power over death itself.
It also touches on a common issue in human thinking: we often want God to work in the way we expect, rather than in the way He knows is best. The people at Lazarus’ tomb wanted healing, but Jesus was about to do something even greater. This reminds us that God’s ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Additionally, this verse reveals that some people responded to Jesus with doubt rather than faith. Even though they had seen His power, they still questioned Him. This mirrors how people today struggle with belief, especially when facing suffering.
Literary Analysis
John 11:37 contrasts with the previous verse (John 11:36), where others had just acknowledged Jesus’ love. This shift in tone shows the different ways people respond to Jesus—some recognize His love, while others question His power.
The wording of the question is also important. Instead of directly accusing Jesus, it is phrased in a way that implies disappointment and doubt. The phrase “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man” suggests they recognized Jesus’ past miracles but did not fully understand His authority.
This verse sets up the tension that will be resolved in the following verses when Jesus raises Lazarus. It is a key moment that highlights human doubt before God’s power is revealed.
Relevant Biblical Cross-References
- John 9:1-7 – Jesus heals a man born blind, proving His power over sickness and fulfilling prophecy.
- Isaiah 55:8-9 – “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. (God’s plans are beyond human understanding.)
- Psalm 13:1-2 – “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” (An example of believers questioning God’s timing.)
- Mark 4:38-40 – The disciples ask Jesus, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” when caught in a storm. (Another example of people doubting God’s power in the middle of trouble.)
- Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.” (A reminder that even when we don’t understand, God has a purpose.)
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
This verse reflects a common struggle—why doesn’t God prevent suffering? Many Christians have faced moments when they wondered why God didn’t stop a tragedy, heal a loved one, or prevent hardship. The people in this verse were asking the same kind of question.
But as the story of Lazarus shows, God often has a greater purpose that we can’t see in the moment. Jesus allowed Lazarus to die so that He could demonstrate His power over death. In the same way, God sometimes allows suffering in our lives for reasons we don’t immediately understand.
This verse challenges us to trust God even when we don’t have answers. It reminds us that questioning is normal, but faith requires believing that God’s plan is bigger than what we can see.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
At first, this verse might seem like a challenge to God’s love—after all, if Jesus loved Lazarus, why didn’t He stop him from dying? But the full story reveals that love was at the heart of everything Jesus did.
Jesus did not come just to heal temporary sicknesses; He came to conquer death itself. His love is not just about fixing problems in the short term—it’s about giving eternal life. By waiting to raise Lazarus, Jesus was preparing people to understand His greatest act of love: His own death and resurrection.
This reminds us that God’s love is not always about giving us what we want right away. Instead, His love is about leading us to what we truly need—eternal life with Him.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse highlights the way people misunderstand Jesus. They saw Him as a healer, but He was so much more. His purpose was not just to cure diseases—it was to defeat death itself.
The miracle of raising Lazarus points to Jesus’ own resurrection. Just as He would call Lazarus out of the grave, He Himself would rise from the dead, proving that He is the source of life.
Jesus’ response to this doubt comes in John 11:40, where He says, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” This moment prepares people to understand that Jesus is not just a miracle worker—He is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25).
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Have you ever wondered why God didn’t stop something painful from happening? How does this story challenge your perspective?
- How can this verse help you trust God when His plan doesn’t make sense?
- Why do you think some people saw Jesus’ love (John 11:36) while others questioned His power (John 11:37)?
- What does this passage teach us about the difference between human expectations and God’s greater purpose?
- How does this story of Lazarus help strengthen your faith in Jesus’ own resurrection?
John 11:37 captures a real human reaction—doubt in the middle of suffering. But the story doesn’t end there. Jesus didn’t just prevent Lazarus’ death—He reversed it. And in doing so, He showed that He is more than a healer—He is the one who brings life itself. Today, He calls us to trust Him, even when we don’t understand, knowing that His love and power are greater than we could ever imagine.