John 11:40 – “Then Jesus said, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?’”

An Extended Explanation of the Verse

This verse is Jesus’ response to Martha after she hesitated at His command to remove the stone from Lazarus’ tomb (John 11:39). She had just reminded Jesus that Lazarus had been dead for four days and that opening the tomb would expose the smell of decay. But Jesus gently reminds her of what He had already told her—if she believed, she would see the glory of God.

The key phrase here is “if you believe.” Jesus is emphasizing faith as the means through which people witness God’s power. Martha had already confessed her belief that Jesus was the Messiah (John 11:27), but now Jesus is calling her to a deeper faith—a faith that trusts Him even when circumstances seem impossible.

The “glory of God” refers to His divine power and presence being revealed in a way that people can see and recognize. In this case, it will be revealed through the resurrection of Lazarus. Jesus is not only talking about a future, heavenly glory but about God’s power being displayed in real time.

This verse is a turning point in the story. Jesus is challenging Martha—and everyone watching—to trust in Him fully. If they do, they will witness something extraordinary.

Historical Context

Jesus had already been teaching about faith and the power of God throughout His ministry. He had told His disciples and others that belief was necessary to experience God’s miraculous work (Matthew 17:20).

At this moment, Martha and the others are standing in front of a tomb sealed with a stone, in a culture where death was considered final. The Jewish people believed in a resurrection on the last day (John 11:24), but the idea of someone being raised after four days was beyond their expectations.

Jesus had delayed coming to Bethany for this very reason—to make sure Lazarus was truly dead so that His miracle would leave no doubt. He wanted to demonstrate that He had power over death itself, something only God could claim.

Theological Implications

1. Faith Precedes Understanding – Jesus makes it clear that belief comes before seeing. Many people say, “I’ll believe it when I see it,” but in God’s kingdom, it is often the opposite—faith opens our eyes to see His power.
2. God’s Glory is Revealed Through Jesus – The glory of God is not an abstract idea; it is revealed through the works of Jesus. Raising Lazarus was not just about one man’s life—it was a demonstration that Jesus Himself is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25).
3. God’s Timing and Purposes Are Greater Than Ours – Martha and Mary wanted Jesus to come earlier to heal Lazarus. But Jesus had a bigger plan—to glorify God in a greater way than they had imagined. Sometimes, God’s delays are not denials but setups for something greater.

Literary Analysis

This verse is structured as a question, which makes it a direct challenge. Jesus is reminding Martha of what He had already told her, calling her to recall and apply her faith in the moment.

The contrast between doubt and faith is central to this passage. Martha’s hesitation (John 11:39) is followed by Jesus’ statement about belief. This pattern—faith leading to sight—is found throughout John’s Gospel (John 20:29).

The phrase “the glory of God” is key in John’s Gospel. It appears multiple times, often linked to Jesus’ miracles and His ultimate mission—His death and resurrection. John wants the reader to see that this miracle is not just about Lazarus, but about Jesus’ greater purpose.

Relevant Biblical Cross-References

• John 11:25-26 – Jesus told Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” (He had already taught her this truth, now He calls her to trust it.)
• John 2:11 – Jesus’ first miracle (turning water into wine) is described as revealing His glory. (God’s glory is displayed through Jesus’ miracles.)
• John 9:3 – Jesus heals a blind man and says the miracle happened so that the works of God might be displayed. (God’s power is revealed in impossible situations.)
• Romans 4:20-21 – Abraham trusted God’s promises even when they seemed impossible. (Faith precedes seeing God’s work.)
• Hebrews 11:6 – “Without faith, it is impossible to please God.” (Faith is essential to experiencing God’s glory.)

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

Many believers struggle with trust when they face difficult or impossible situations. Like Martha, we may believe in Jesus in theory but hesitate when He asks us to trust Him in reality.

This verse is a reminder that faith comes before understanding. We may not always see how God is going to work, but we are called to trust Him. When we do, we often see His power and glory revealed in ways we never expected.

It also challenges us to remember what Jesus has already told us. Just as He reminded Martha, we need to remind ourselves of God’s promises. When we face trials, instead of doubting, we should hold on to what He has already said.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

This verse shows that God’s love is not just about comfort—it is about calling us to deeper faith. Jesus could have simply raised Lazarus without involving Martha, but He wanted her to trust Him. God’s love stretches us, helping us grow into greater faith.

Jesus’ words are not harsh but encouraging. He is inviting Martha to believe, just as He invites all of us to trust Him. His love does not demand blind faith, but faith that is rooted in His promises and proven by His actions.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

1. Jesus is the Source of Life – His promise that belief leads to seeing God’s glory is directly tied to His identity as the resurrection and the life (John 11:25). This miracle proves that claim.
2. Jesus’ Own Resurrection – The raising of Lazarus is a foreshadowing of Jesus’ own resurrection. Just as belief in Jesus leads to seeing God’s glory here, belief in His resurrection leads to eternal life (Romans 10:9).
3. Jesus Challenges Us to Believe – Throughout His ministry, Jesus repeatedly called people to faith before they saw the results. From Peter walking on water (Matthew 14:29) to the healing of the centurion’s servant (Luke 7:9), Jesus always honored faith.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. What are some situations in your life where Jesus is asking you to trust Him before you see the outcome?
2. Have you ever experienced a time when your faith allowed you to see God’s power in a way you wouldn’t have otherwise?
3. Why do you think Jesus reminded Martha of His previous words rather than simply performing the miracle?
4. What does this verse teach us about the connection between faith and experiencing God’s glory?
5. How can this verse help you trust God more in difficult circumstances?

John 11:40 is a call to trust. Jesus was about to do something incredible, but He wanted Martha to believe first. The same is true for us—God invites us to trust Him even when we don’t fully understand. And when we do, we will see His power and His glory in ways we never imagined.