John 11:39 – “‘Take away the stone,’ he said. ‘But, Lord,’ said Martha, the sister of the dead man, ‘by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.’”

An Extended Explanation of the Verse

In this verse, Jesus gives a simple yet startling command: “Take away the stone.” The tomb where Lazarus was buried was sealed with a large stone, and removing it would expose the reality of death. Martha, Lazarus’ sister, hesitates, pointing out that after four days, the body would have already started to decay.

Martha’s response reveals her struggle to fully grasp what Jesus was about to do. She had faith in Jesus (John 11:22, 27), but she was still thinking in human terms. From her perspective, opening the tomb would only make the situation worse—exposing the smell and confirming the finality of death.

Jesus, however, was not bound by human limitations. He was about to demonstrate that death was not the final word. But before He did, He called on the people to take part in the process by removing the stone. This shows that while Jesus alone has the power to bring the dead to life, He often invites people to participate in His work.

Historical Context

Jewish burial customs in the first century involved wrapping the body in linen cloths with spices and placing it in a rock-cut tomb. A large stone was rolled over the entrance to protect the body from animals and thieves.

In Jewish belief, death was seen as final after three days. Some traditions suggested that the soul lingered near the body for that time but then departed permanently. By waiting four days, Jesus made sure there could be no doubt—Lazarus was truly dead.

The concern about the odor was practical. Without modern embalming methods, a body would begin decomposing quickly in the warm climate of Judea. Martha’s reaction shows that she was thinking realistically—she was not expecting a miracle, despite her earlier statements of faith.

Theological Implications

1. Faith vs. Human Reasoning – Martha believed in Jesus, but in this moment, her response was shaped by what made sense to her. She knew Jesus could heal, but raising the dead after four days was beyond her imagination. This highlights the tension between faith and human reasoning—trusting God often requires believing beyond what we can see.
2. God’s Timing is Perfect – Jesus had delayed His arrival on purpose (John 11:6). Had He come earlier, He could have healed Lazarus, but He wanted to reveal His greater power over death. Sometimes, God allows situations to reach an impossible point so that His power is displayed more clearly.
3. Human Participation in God’s Work – Jesus could have removed the stone Himself, but He asked others to do it. This pattern is seen throughout Scripture—God performs the miracle, but He often involves people in the process. He calls us to trust Him and take steps of obedience, even when we don’t fully understand His plan.

Literary Analysis

This verse contains dialogue that highlights a contrast between Jesus’ command and Martha’s doubt.

• Command: “Take away the stone.” This is a direct instruction that requires action and faith.
• Objection: “But, Lord…” Martha’s response introduces hesitation, showing that even strong believers sometimes struggle with doubt.
• Realism vs. Faith: Martha focuses on what is natural (the odor and decay), while Jesus is about to reveal the supernatural.

The progression of the conversation builds anticipation. The reader knows that something miraculous is about to happen, but those at the tomb are still caught between faith and doubt.

Relevant Biblical Cross-References

• John 11:25-26 – Jesus tells Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” (She had just affirmed this truth, yet now she hesitates.)
• Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” (Faith often requires trusting beyond what makes sense to us.)
• Exodus 14:16 – Moses was told to stretch out his staff over the Red Sea before God parted it. (God works through human obedience.)
• James 2:17 – “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (Faith requires movement—Martha and the others needed to remove the stone before seeing the miracle.)
• 2 Corinthians 5:7 – “For we live by faith, not by sight.” (Martha was focused on what she could see and smell, but faith required trusting Jesus.)

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse challenges us to trust Jesus even when His commands don’t make sense to us. How often do we hesitate when God calls us to take a step of faith?

Like Martha, we sometimes acknowledge that Jesus is powerful, but when faced with a real-life challenge, we focus on the obstacles rather than on what God can do.

It also reminds us that sometimes, obedience comes before the miracle. Jesus could have moved the stone Himself, but He called on others to act first. We may not always see how God is going to work, but we are called to trust and obey.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is not just about comforting words—it is about taking action. Jesus loved Lazarus, Martha, and Mary, but He allowed them to go through difficulty so that His glory could be revealed in a greater way.

Martha’s hesitation reminds us that God understands our doubts. He doesn’t reject us when we struggle to believe. Instead, He patiently leads us to deeper faith, just as He did with Martha.

God’s love is also seen in the fact that Jesus did not ignore the human element of this miracle. He could have instantly removed the stone, but He involved those present. This shows that God invites us into His work because He loves us and wants us to grow in faith.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

This verse points directly to the power of Jesus over life and death. His command to remove the stone is a step toward proving that He is exactly who He claimed to be: the resurrection and the life.

It also foreshadows His own resurrection. Just as Lazarus’ tomb was sealed with a stone, so was Jesus’ (Matthew 27:60). But while Lazarus was raised by Jesus, Jesus Himself would rise by His own power (John 10:17-18).

Martha’s doubt reminds us of the disciples’ reaction when Jesus rose. They struggled to believe at first (Luke 24:11), just as she hesitated here. Yet Jesus, in both cases, was patient, demonstrating His power to strengthen their faith.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Have you ever struggled to trust God because of how impossible a situation seemed?
2. Why do you think Jesus asked the people to remove the stone instead of doing it Himself?
3. How does this verse challenge you to step out in faith, even when you don’t fully understand God’s plan?
4. What are some “stones” in your life—barriers that you need to move in faith so that you can see God work?
5. How does Jesus’ patience with Martha encourage you when you struggle with doubt?

John 11:39 is a powerful reminder that faith requires action. Even when our natural response is to doubt, Jesus calls us to trust Him. He invites us to take part in His work, to move forward in obedience, and to witness His power in ways we never expected. Just as He did at Lazarus’ tomb, He continues to call people to trust Him and step beyond what they can see, knowing that He alone has power over life and death.