Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 11:41
Then they took away the stone [from the place] where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up [his] eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
41. from the place where the dead was laid ] These words, are omitted by an overwhelming number of authorities. They are a needless explanation added by a later hand.
And Jesus lift ] The verb is identical with that translated ‘took away’ in the preceding clause. Both should be translated alike; moreover, ‘and’ should be ‘but.’ They lifted therefore the stone. But Jesus lifted His eyes upwards.
Father, I thank thee ] Jesus thanks the Father as a public acknowledgment that the Son can do ‘nothing of Himself,’ but that the power which He is about to exhibit is from the Father (Joh 5:19-26).
that thou hast heard ] Better, that Thou didst hear. The prayer to which this refers is not recorded.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Lifted up his eyes – In an attitude of prayer. See Luk 18:13; Mat 14:19.
I thank thee that thou hast heard me – It is possible that John has recorded only the sum or substance of the prayer on this occasion. The thanks which Jesus renders here are evidently in view of the fact that power had been committed to him to raise up Lazarus. On account of the people, and the signal proof which would be furnished of the truth of his mission, he expressed his thanks to God. In all his actions, he recognized his union to the Father, and his dependence upon him as Mediator.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Joh 11:41-44
Jesus lifted up His eyes and said
The words of Christ at the grave of Lazarus
I.
THOSE HE ADDRESSED TO HEAVEN (Joh 11:41-42). In these we have
1. His recognition of God as His Father. He was the Son of God in a higher sense than any other has been or will be.
(1) In mutual resemblance. The express image of His Person.
(2) In mutual love. This is my beloved Son.
2. His consciousness of the Fathers regard. Ever in close communion with the Father, to every aspiration He felt the Fathers response always. No true word of prayer is ever lost.
3. His consideration of the people in His devotions. Because of the people. Audible words, though not essential, and having no influence on God, are often useful to our fellow men.
II. THOSE HE ADDRESSED TO THE DEAD (Joh 11:43). These were
1. Personal. Lazarus.
2. Earnest. He could have done it by a whisper or volition, but He raised His voice to the highest pitch to startle bystanders into solemn thought.
3. Mighty. They struck life into the dead.
III. THOSE HE ADDRESSED TO THE LIVING (Joh 11:44). Here again is the human cooperating with the Divine. Conclusion: This resurrection is an illustration of that of a dead soul which can be effected only by Christ, may still be entangled with old associations, habits, etc., and requires in order to its freedom the help of the living. The work of a living church and ministry is to loose encumbered souls. (D. Thomas, D. D.)
Christs prayer and thanksgiving
I. THE PRAYER WHICH JESUS HAD EVIDENTLY OFFERED. It is unrecorded, doubtless because silent.
1. Probably His first feeling on hearing of the sickness of Lazarus was one of sadness (Joh 11:5).
2. This sadness it would seem soon relieved itself through prayer. By a natural filial instinct His heart rose out of its depression into confident communion with His Father.
3. The practical lesson for us is not to measure the force of prayer by its elaborateness or audibleness. The most effective are frequently unuttered. This should not discourage public, but encourage private devotion.
II. CHRISTS ASSURANCE THAT HIS PRAYER WAS ANSWERED.
1. To hear prayer in Scripture means to answer, he miracle was not wrought, but the Saviour was conscious of His own adequacy and its accomplishment.
2. This hearing was no rare favour. Always (Heb 5:7).
3. The secret of this was the perfect oneness of Christs will with the Fathers. Many of our prayers are unanswered for the opposite reason 1Jn 5:14).
III. CHRISTS THANKSGIVING FOR GODS RESPONSE. Nothing is more noticeable in Christs prayers than His sense of filial obligation. Although not inferior to the Father He will not stand on His prerogatives, but as mans representative shows His sense of need and His trustful dependence.
1. Let us rejoice in this proof of Christs complete assumption of our humanity.
2. Let us learn to gratefully acknowledge Gods goodness in answering our prayers (Psa 116:1-2).
IV. CHRISTS PURPOSE IN THIS THANKSGIVING. Had Christ wished simply to thank God audible words would have been unnecessary. That were as pleasing to God as the unspoken prayer. But Christ wanted to show others that His claim to be the Son of God was no arrogant assumption, and that His works were wrought by no diabolical aid. In this also Jesus is our exemplar. We must not only have the thankful feeling, but express it Psa 66:16-17). We should be careful as to
1. The sincerity of our praises.
2. Their propriety.
3. Their earnestness. (B. Wilkinson.)
The force of the prayer and thanksgiving
By addressing His Father Christ put God into the position of either granting or withholding His cooperation. If Lazarus remained in the tomb let Jesus be acknowledged an impostor, and all His other miracles be attributed to Beelzebub! If God, who was thus solemnly invoked, should manifest His arm, let Jesus be acknowledged as sent by Him! Thus this act before the still occupied sepulchre made this moment one of solemn ordeal, like that of Elijah on Carmel, and imparted to this miracle a supreme and unique character in the life of Jesus. (F. Godet, D. D.)
Because of the people which stand by
The folly of merely standing by
It would seem to all who knew you a very odd thing if you were seen loafing about a certain shop for an hour and a half one day in the week for twenty years, and yet you never bought a pennyworth of goods. Why do you hang about the gospel shop and yet purchase nothing? On your own showing you are a fool. I do not like using a hard word, still it is used in Scripture for such as you are. He who believes a thing to be so important that he spends one day in the week in hearing about it, and yet does not think it important enough to accept it as a gift, stultifies himself by his own actions. How will you answer for it at the last great day when the Judge shall say, You believed enough to go and hear about salvation; why did you not believe enough to accept it? (C. H.Spurgeon.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 41. Where the dead was laid.] These words are wanting in BC*DL, three others; Syriac, Persic, Arabic, Sahidic, AEthiopic, Armenian, Vulgate, Saxon, and in all the Itala. Griesbach leaves them out of the text.
Father, I thank thee] As it was a common opinion that great miracles might be wrought by the power and in the name of the devil, Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven, and invoked the supreme God before these unbelieving Jews, that they might see that it was by his power, and by his only, that this miracle was done; that every hinderance to this people’s faith might be completely taken out of the way, and that their faith might stand, not in the wisdom of man, but in the power of the Most High. On this account our Lord says, he spoke because of the multitude, that they might see there was no diabolic influence here, and that God in his mercy had visited his people.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The servants, or friends, about the grave, removeth the stone from the mouth of the cave, within which the dead corpse of Lazarus lay. Christ, before his thanksgiving to his Father, is said to have
lifted up his eyes; a posture often used in mens addresses to God, Psa 121:1, and Psa 123:1, as an indication of their belief that heaven is Gods throne: though he filleth heaven and earth, yet heaven is his court, where he most gloriously showeth himself, the earth but his footstool. We read here of nothing that Christ had said before, yet he giveth thanks here to his Father that he had heard him. The meaning is, thou hast willed, or pleased to grant, those things which I desired. It is very hard to determine, whether Christ had used some audible words before this, upon this occasion, in prayer to his Father, which the evangelist could not or did not set down; or whether he only groaned in his spirit, as was said before, by those groans not only expressing his sorrow for Lazaruss death, or rather sympathy with the afflictions of Mary and Martha, but also his desires to his Father, that he might be again restored to life; and his second groaning, Joh 11:38, was of that nature: which groanings in the saints God understandeth, knowing the mind of the Spirit, making intercession for the saints according to the will of God (as the apostle teacheth us, Rom 8:27); much more did the Father, who was one in nature, essence, and will with the Son, understand them in him. Nothing in these cases can be determined, much less can any conclude from hence, that there is no need of our using any words in our prayers; for although there be no simple, absolute necessity that we should use them in order to Gods knowledge of what we need, and would have; for he that searcheth the heart, knows what we need, and what we desire, Mat 6:8; yet there is a necessity for our words, in order to our obeying Gods command, Hos 14:2; Luk 11:2. There is a great deal of difference between Gods hearing of Christ, and hearing us: Christ and his Father have one essence, one nature, and will.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
41. Jesus lifted up his eyesanexpression marking His calm solemnity. (Compare Joh17:1).
Father, I thank thee thatthou hast heard merather, “heardest Me,” referringto a specific prayer offered by Him, probably on intelligence of thecase reaching Him (Joh 11:3;Joh 11:4); for His living andloving oneness with the Father was maintained and manifested in theflesh, not merely by the spontaneous and uninterrupted outgoing ofEach to Each in spirit, but by specific actings of faith andexercises of prayer about each successive case as it emerged. Heprayed (says LUTHARDTwell) not for what He wanted, but for the manifestation of what Hehad; and having the bright consciousness of the answer in the feltliberty to ask it, and the assurance that it was at hand, He givesthanks for this with a grand simplicity before performing the act.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Then they took away the stone,…. “From the door of the sepulchre”, as the Arabic version adds;
from the place where the dead was laid: this clause is left out in the Alexandrian copy, and in the Vulgate Latin, and all the Oriental versions:
and Jesus lift up his eyes; to heaven; this is a praying gesture, as in Joh 17:1,
and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me; which cannot refer to the resurrection of Lazarus from the dead, or to any assistance given him in performing that miracle, because that as yet was not done; and when it was done, was done by his own power, as all the circumstances of it show; but it relates to everything in which he had before heard him, and was a foundation for him, as man, to believe he still would, in whatever was to come; and particularly to the present opportunity of showing his power in so remarkable a manner, and before so many witnesses.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
So they took away the stone ( ). First aorist active indicative of , but without the explanatory gloss of the Textus Receptus “from the place where the dead was laid” (not genuine).
I thank thee that thou heardest me ( ). See 6:11 for . Clearly Jesus had prayed to the Father concerning the raising of Lazarus. He has the answer before he acts. “No pomp of incantation, no wrestling in prayer even; but simple words of thanksgiving, as if already Lazarus was restored” (Dods). Jesus well knew the issues involved on this occasion. If he failed, his own claims to be the Son of God (the Messiah), would be hopelessly discredited with all. If he succeeded, the rulers would be so embittered as to compass his own death.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
From the place where the dead was laid. Omit.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Then they took away the stone,” (eran oun ton lithon) “Then they lifted the stone,” from its tomb covering place, though it was with misgiving and uncertainty on the part of Martha, who stood with Mary in awe and wonder.
2) “From the place where the dead was laid,” (Though not contained in many manuscripts) this aptly describes what happened to the sealed or covered entrance to Lazarus’ tomb, at the bidding of Jesus, and anticipation of those who were witnessing the event, inclusive of John, this Gospel writer.
3) “And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said,” (ho de lesous heren tous ophthalmous ano kai eipen) “Then Jesus lifted his eyes up (above the grave level) and said,” as He prayed a prayer of gratitude to His Father in heaven, from whom and where the rulership of the universe originates.
4) “Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.” (pater eucharisto soi hoti ekousas mou) “Father I thank you that you have heard me.” This was an open, yet indirect rebuttal to those who had earlier accused Him of being a law-breaking blasphemer because He had told them plainly that God was His Father, Joh 10:24-25; Joh 10:29-30; Joh 10:36-38; Joh 12:28-30.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
41. And Jesus again raised his eyes. This was the token of a mind truly prepared for prayer; for before any one calls on God aright, he must be brought into communication with him, and this can only be done when, raised above the earth, he ascends even to heaven. True, this is not done by the eyes; for hypocrites, who are plunged in the deep filth of their flesh, appear to draw down heaven to them by their stern aspect; but what they only pretend to do must be sincerely accomplished by the children of God. And yet he who raises his eyes to heaven ought not, in his thoughts, to limit God to heaven; for He is present everywhere, and fills heaven and earth, (Jer 23:24.) But as men can never free themselves from gross imaginations, so as not to form some low and earthly conception about God, unless when they are raised above the world, Scripture sends them to heaven, and declares that heaven is the habitation of God, (Isa 66:1.)
So far as relates to the eyes, it is not a custom that must be perpetually observed, so that without it prayer is not lawful; for the publican, who prays with his face cast down to the ground, does not the less, on this account, pierce heaven by his faith, (Luk 18:13.) Yet this exercise is profitable, because men are aroused by it to seek God; and not only so, but the ardor of prayer often affects the body in such a manner that, without thinking of it, the body follows the mind of its own accord. Certainly, we cannot doubt that, when Christ raised his eyes to heaven, he was carried towards it with extraordinary vehemence. Besides, as all his thoughts were with the Father, so he also wished to bring others to the Father along with him.
Father, I thank thee. He begins with thanksgiving, though he has asked nothing; but though the Evangelist does not relate that he prayed in a form of words, yet there can be no doubt whatever that, before this, there was a prayer, for otherwise it could not have been heard. And there is reason to believe that he prayed amidst those groanings which the Evangelist mentions; for nothing could be more absurd than to suppose that he was violently agitated within himself, as stupid men are wont to be. Having obtained the life of Lazarus, he now thanks the Father By saying that he has received this power from the Father, and by not ascribing it to himself, he does nothing more than acknowledge that he is the servant of the Father For, accommodating himself to the capacity of men, he at one time openly proclaims his Divinity, and claims for himself whatever belongs to God; and, at another time, he is satisfied with sustaining the character of a man, and yields to the Father the whole glory of Divinity. Here both are admirably brought together by the Evangelist in one word, when he says that the Father heard Christ, but that he gives thanks, that men may know that he was sent by the Father, that is, that they may acknowledge him to be the Son of God. The majesty of Christ being incapable of being perceived in its true elevation, the power of God, which appeared in his flesh, gradually raised to this elevation the gross and dull senses of men. For since he intended to be wholly ours, we need not wonder if he accommodates himself to us in various ways; and as he even allowed himself to be emptied (Phi 2:7) for us, there is no absurdity in saying that he abases himself on our account.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(41) Then they took away the stone.This could be done without difficulty, for it would be nothing more than a rough slab placed at the entrance of the cave, to prevent the approach of jackals or other beasts of prey.
From the place where the dead was laid is omitted by all the better MSS. It is an unnecessary gloss, to explain what stone is meant.
And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said . . .His attitude, as well as His words, is meant to express that the work which He is about to do, is one of the works from His Father.
I thank thee that thou hast heard me.Better, I thank Thee that Thou didst hear Me; the time referred to being that of the offering of the prayer. Of this we have no notice. It was the will of the Son expressing itself in moral harmony with the will of the Father. I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent Me (Joh. 5:30; comp. Joh. 12:27-28), and therefore in the expression receiving the answer. The promise of Joh. 11:4 was the utterance of the divine will to the disciples and the messengers, and we are, it may be, to think of that moment as the time of its realisation by the Son.
This thanksgiving for the answer to His prayer has been uttered aloud in the presence of the multitude. The verse which follows was spoken to prevent a misunderstanding on the part of the disciples and in all times.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
41. Father In the very act of the miracle he repeats in this word Father the very claim of being Son of God, for which the Jews had threatened to stone and driven him from Jerusalem, (Joh 10:29-40.)
Hast heard me Jesus here intimates: 1. That his miracles, as man, are in answer to his prayer. Yea, doubtless, that prayer, being the ceaseless act and position of his soul, was ceaselessly heard, as no mere man’s Isaiah 2. His prayer for this miracle had been previously offered, and the assurance of fulfilment received. This was clearly as early as Joh 11:4.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me, and I knew that you always hear me, but I have said it because of the people who are standing around, so that they may believe that you have sent me”.’
There was a sense in which Jesus had no need to pray. He had power within Himself to do this thing. But He would not act before the people without His Father. It was to His Father that the glory must go. He had already prayed to His Father and received a positive response (‘You have heard me’, compare on Joh 11:35). And He wanted all the people to know that it was from the Father that He Himself came.
He longed for their response to Him. We must never assume that, because those who are drawn by the Father will come to Him, He does not mind about the remainder. He wanted them to know that if they would come He would receive them. Then having demonstrated to all that He was acting along with God, He moved into action.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Joh 11:41-42. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, On many occasions Jesus had publicly appealed to hisown miracles, as the proofs of his mission; but he did not ordinarily make a formal address to his Father before he worked them. Nevertheless, being about to raise Lazarus from the dead, he, in this instance, deviated from his usual mode, to make the persons present sensible, that, in working his miracles, he acted not by the assistance of devils, as his enemies maliciously affirmed; but with the co-operation of his heavenly Father.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Joh 11:41-42 . Jesus knows that His prayer, that God would suffer Him to raise Lazarus to life, a prayer which He had previously offered up in stillness, perhaps only in the inarticulate yearnings of His heart, has been heard, and He thanks God for hearing it. Petition and thanksgiving are not to be conceived as blended in one (Merz in die Wurtemberg. Stud . 1844, 2, p. 65; Tholuck); nor is the latter to be regarded as anticipatory (Hengstenberg), as though He offered thanks in the certain anticipation of the hearing of His prayer (Ewald, comp. Godet). Not that He offers thanks because the hearing of His prayer was unexpected and unhoped for ( ); no, He for His part ( ) knew, even whilst He was asking God in stillness, that God always heard Him; [89] but because of the people standing by, etc.
Some have stumbled at Joh 11:42 , and looked on it either as spurious (Dieffenbach in Bertholdt’s Krit. Journ . vol. i. p. 8), or as a reflection of the evangelist who puts this “show-prayer” (Weisse), or even “sham-prayer” (Baur), into the mouth of Christ for the purpose of supplying an argument for the story (De Wette; see, on the other hand, Brckner), or for the divinity of Christ (Strauss, Scholten). But it is just He, the One who is most intimate with the Father, who may indulge in reflection even in prayer, if His reflections relate to God, and are prayer. The opposite judgment applies an arbitrary standard to the subject. Moreover, if it had been his own reflection, John would probably have said: instead of . . Comp. Joh 11:45 .
] as in Joh 6:36 : I will have said it , namely the , etc. To refer to Joh 11:4 (Ewald) is inadmissible even on account of . alone.
] Thou and no other. They shall be convinced of it by learning from my thanksgiving that my working takes place in Thy strength, in the full certainty of a victory of Thy sending.
[89] Correct reason for this: (Euth. Zigabenus); but also conversely, ; see Joh 5:30 , Joh 12:27 .
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
Ver. 41. Father, I thank thee that, &c. ] Beginning to pray, he brings his thanks in his hand, as sure to speed. So must we, Phi 4:6 . And therefore in the law, whatever request they had to God, they must be sure to come with their peace offerings, in token of thankfulness: that they might sing with the Psalmist, “Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion,” Psa 65:1 . It is said of Tiberius the emperor, that he never denied his favourite Sejanus anything, and oftentimes anticipated his request, so that he needed only to ask and give thanks. (Tacitus.) All God’s people are his favourites, and may have anything that heart can wish or need require.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
41, 42. ] In the filial relation of the Lord Jesus to the Father, all power is given to Him: the Son can do nothing of Himself: and during His humiliation on earth, these acts of power were done by Him, not by that glory of His own which He had laid aside, but by the mighty working of the Father in Him , and in answer to His prayer: the difference between Him and us in this respect being, that His prayer was always heard , even ( Heb 5:7 ) that in Gethsemane. And this He states here for the benefit of the standers-by, that they might know the truth of His repeated assertions of His mission from the Father. At the same time He guards this, Joh 11:42 , from future misconstruction, as though He had no more power than men who pray, by , ‘because Thou and I are One.’
When He prayed, does not appear. Probably in Pera, before the declaration in Joh 11:4 .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Joh 11:41 . Accordingly, notwithstanding her remonstrance, and because it was now perceived that Jesus had some end in view that was hidden from them, they lifted the stone, . . “But Jesus lifted His eyes upwards and said, Father, I thank Thee that Thou hast heard me.” No pomp of incantation, no wrestling in prayer even; but simple words of thanksgiving, as if already Lazarus was restored. [Origen thinks that the spirit of Lazarus had already returned. , .] The prayer which He thanks the Father for hearing had been offered during the two days in Peraea. And the thanksgiving was more likely to impress the crowd now than in the excitement following the resurrection of Lazarus. Therefore He thanks the Father because it was essential that the miracle should be referred to its real source, and that all should recognise that it was the Father who had sent this power among men.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
Father. See Joh 1:14 and and App-98. Fifteen times the Lord used this term in prayer (omitting parallel passages in brackets): Mat 11:25, Mat 11:26 (Luk 10:21); Joh 26:39, Joh 26:42 (Mar 14:36. Luk 22:42). Joh 23:34, Joh 23:46. Joh 11:41; Joh 12:27, Joh 12:28; Joh 17:1, Joh 17:5, Joh 17:11, Joh 17:21, Joh 17:24, Joh 17:25 (15 = 3×5. App-6). Next to John 17, this is the longest prayer recorded of our Lord.
hast heard = heardest (Aorist tense). This suggests that the prayer was heard and answered before, perhaps in Peraea. See Joh 11:4.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
41, 42.] In the filial relation of the Lord Jesus to the Father, all power is given to Him: the Son can do nothing of Himself:-and during His humiliation on earth, these acts of power were done by Him, not by that glory of His own which He had laid aside, but by the mighty working of the Father in Him, and in answer to His prayer: the difference between Him and us in this respect being, that His prayer was always heard,-even (Heb 5:7) that in Gethsemane. And this He states here for the benefit of the standers-by, that they might know the truth of His repeated assertions of His mission from the Father. At the same time He guards this, Joh 11:42, from future misconstruction, as though He had no more power than men who pray, by , because Thou and I are One.
When He prayed, does not appear. Probably in Pera, before the declaration in Joh 11:4.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Joh 11:41. , upwards) He turned His eyes off from the object, which was now the prey of mortality, to heaven.[302]- , I give Thee thanks) Jesus proceeds to this, His greatest miracle by far, most sure of the event.- , thou hast heard Me) Therefore Jesus [it seems] had prayed, when He had heard of the sickness of Lazarus, Joh 11:4, [and so He said at that time] This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
[302] , Father) A short but pre-eminently choice prayer.-V. g.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Joh 11:41
Joh 11:41
So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou heardest me.-Jesus had such assurance that God heard him that before the people knew his purpose, he in their hearing thanked God that he had heard him and would give life to the dead body. Jesus was one with God and did the will of God in all things. He knew then that God would hear him. In obedience to the command of Jesus the stone was taken away from the mouth of the cave in which the body was laid. There was something in the manner of Jesus that commanded the respect of those around him. Who did this we are not told, but it was likely the friends of Martha and Mary present. It may have been his disciples. When this was done, and the material obstacles to resurrection were removed, he then looked up to God. It is worthy of note that Jesus used miraculous power only when the result could not be effected by natural or ordinary means. He could have removed the stone by a miracle, but as this could be done by ordinary means, he did not exert extraordinary power to do it. Only when supernatural or extraordinary ends were to be accomplished did he use extraordinary power. The power used corresponded to the end to be accomplished. Jesus looked up to God as a declaration that all of his power came from him.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
And Jesus: Joh 12:28-30, Joh 17:1, Psa 123:1, Luk 18:13
Father: Mat 11:25, Luk 10:21, Phi 4:6
Reciprocal: 2Ki 4:33 – prayed Psa 89:26 – Thou Isa 49:8 – In an Dan 2:23 – thank Mat 14:19 – looking Mat 26:39 – O my Father Mar 6:41 – looked Mar 7:34 – looking Joh 9:31 – him Joh 11:22 – that Joh 12:27 – Father Joh 18:11 – my Rev 11:17 – We give
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1
In obedience to the instruction of Jesus, they removed the stone from the grave or cave that was being used for burial. Before proceeding with the act of resurrecting the dead, Jesus first went to God in prayer, thereby setting a good example for others who claim to be children of God. This also was to demonstrate to the ones present that He was accomplishing his great works in cooperation with his Father. If the prayer is answered, it will show also that God is recognizing that cooperation. It was appropriate to express gratitude for the past support his Father had given him.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Joh 11:41-42. They took away the stone therefore. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou heardest me. And I myself knew that thou hearest me always; but because of the multitude which standeth around I said it, that they may believe that thou didst send me. The words are not a prayer, but a thanksgiving for prayer answered. What He is about to do is given by the Father in answer to His prayer. But had Jesus said no more than this, though the miracle would have ministered to the glory of God (Joh 11:4), yet even this purpose would have been attained in an inferior degree: the Father receives true glory when Jesus is acknowledged, not merely as a Prophet, whose prayer is heard, but as the Son of God. To His thanksgiving Jesus adds words which implicitly declare the whole relation of the Father to the Son. The hearing of prayer for which He has given thanks is no isolated act, but is one manifestation of an unceasing communion. Whilst uttering the words of prayer or of thanksgiving, He knew that the Father heard Him always: the words were spoken for the sake of the multitude, that they might believe the truth of His mission. Had they witnessed the miracle unaccompanied by this appeal to His Father, they might well have glorified God who had given such power unto men, and acknowledged that as a wonder-working Prophet Jesus was sent and empowered by God. But if the power of God is manifested now, when this solemn claim is made of constant communion with God, with God as Father, the seal of the Father is set upon Him as the Son and the Sent of God. The word multitude is remarkable. It cannot signify number only and refer to the Jews before spoken of. John always employs this word in another sense, and indeed in marked distinction from the ruling class, the Jews. It is clear then that many were now present,persons who had accompanied Jesus from Perea and friends and neighbours of the family of Bethany.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Joh 11:41-43. Then they took away the stone As Jesus had directed; from the place where the dead was laid From the mouth of the tomb. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, &c. To show them who stood by, and viewed him as a mere man, from whence he derived his power; and that he did not do his miracles by any ability in his mere human nature. Thus he says, Mat 12:28, that he cast out devils by the Spirit of God; and, Luk 12:20, by the finger, or power, of God; and, Joh 14:10, that the Father, who dwelt in him, namely, the eternal Word and Spirit of the Father, did the works. And said, Father, I thank thee On many occasions Jesus had publicly appealed to his own miracles, as the proofs of his mission; but he did not ordinarily make a formal address to his Father before he wrought them; though to have done so, would have showed from whence he derived his authority. Nevertheless, being about to raise Lazarus from the dead, he prayed for his resurrection, to make the persons present sensible that in working his miracles, he [as man] acted by the assistance, not of devils, as his enemies maliciously affirmed, but of God; and that this miracle, in particular, could not be effected without an immediate interposition of the divine power. The evangelist, it is true, does not say directly, either that Jesus prayed, or that he prayed for this end. But the thanksgiving, which he tells us he offered up, implies both. Macknight. I know that thou hearest me always And art most ready to answer all my petitions. Jesus had access to his Father on every occasion, and success with him in every errand. And we may be sure his interest with God is not the less for his going to heaven; which may encourage us to depend on his intercession for us, and to put all our petitions into his hand, for we are sure that the Father hears him always. Because of the people which stand by I said it, &c. I did not pray for my own sake, as if I had entertained any doubt of having power to do this miracle; (see Joh 5:19-26;) but I prayed for the peoples sake, to make them sensible that thou lovest me, hast sent me, and art continually with me; and that I do all in union with thee, and nothing of myself, without, or separate from thee. And when he had thus spoken, he cried with a loud voice Suitable to the majestic part which he was now acting, and the dominion he had, even in the empire of death itself, as well as that it might appear to all present, that even the dead were subject to his voice; Lazarus, come forth He could have raised Lazarus by a silent exertion of his will and power, and the undiscernible operation of the Spirit of life; but he did it by a call, a loud call, to signify the power then put forth for the raising of Lazarus, and the greatness of the work.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Jesus addressed God in prayer characteristically as His Father. He spoke as though the raising of Lazarus was something that the Father had already decreed, which was true (cf. Joh 11:11). His prayer was not a request for Lazarus’ resurrection. Such a prayer would have glorified the Father. It was rather a prayer of thanksgiving for what the Father would shortly do. It had the effect of focusing attention on the Son as God’s agent in performing the miracle. Jesus’ prayer had the effect also of drawing the onlookers into His intimate relationship with the Father and proving that He really did do nothing independently of the Father (cf. Joh 5:19-47).
Jesus’ public prayer here is a good reminder that all leaders in public prayer should take those present into account when they pray. We should do so not by "playing to the gallery" (cf. Mat 6:5) but by voicing prayers that are appropriate in view of who is present.