Discovery BoxJohn 11:5-6 
Context11:5 (Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.) 1
11:6 So when he heard that Lazarus 2 was sick, he remained in the place where he was for two more days.
John 11:15
Context11:15 and I am glad 3 for your sake that I was not there, so that you may believe. 4 But let us go to him.”
1 sn This is a parenthetical note by the author. It was necessary for the author to reaffirm Jesus’ love for Martha and her sister and Lazarus here because Jesus’ actions in the following verse appear to be contradictory.
2 tn Grk “that he”; the referent (Lazarus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
3 tn Grk “and I rejoice.”
4 sn So that you may believe. Why does Jesus make this statement? It seems necessary to understand the disciples’ belief here in a developmental sense, because there are numerous references to the disciples’ faith previous to this in John’s Gospel, notably 2:11. Their concept of who Jesus really was is continually being expanded and challenged; they are undergoing spiritual growth; the climax is reached in the confession of Thomas in John 20:28.
