{Heard it} (akousas). The messenger delivered the message
of the sisters. The reply of Jesus is for him and for the
apostles. {Is not unto death} (ouk estin pros thanaton). Death
in the final issue, to remain dead. Lazarus did die, but he did
not remain dead. See hamartia pros thanaton in 1Jo 5:16 , "sin
unto death" (final death). {But for the glory of God} (all'
huper t(8873) dox(8873) tou theou). In behalf of God's glory, as the
sequel shows. Cf. 9:3 about the man born blind. The death of
Lazarus will illustrate God's glory. In some humble sense those
who suffer the loss of loved ones are entitled to some comfort
from this point made by Jesus about Lazarus. In a supreme way it
is true of the death of Christ which he himself calls
glorification of himself and God ( 13:31 ). In 7:39 John had
already used doxaz(935c) of the death of Christ. {That the Son of
God may be glorified thereby} (hina doxasth(8869) ho huios tou theou
di' aut(8873)). Purpose clause with hina and the first aorist
passive subjunctive of doxaz(935c). Here Jesus calls himself "the
Son of God." In 8:54 Jesus had said: "It is my Father that
glorifieth me." The raising of Lazarus from the tomb will bring
glory to the Son of God. See 17:1 for this idea in Christ's
prayer. The raising of Lazarus will also bring to an issue his
own death and all this involves the glorification of the Father
( 7:39 12:16 13:31 14:13 ). The death of Lazarus brings Jesus
face to face with his own death.
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