John 11:4 Commentary - Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

1 ) "When Jesus heard that, he said," (akousas de ho lesous eipen) "Then when Jesus heard (of it) he said," to the disciples who were with Him in Bethabara, inclusive of John, the writer of this story, and the only Gospel writer who recounted the miraculous event, Joh 20:30-31.

2) "The sickness is not unto death," (aute he astheneia ouk estin pros thanaton) "This ailment (illness) is not (exists not) to death," toward death, Joh 11:11; It was not to terminal death, permanent physical death, as also expressed of another, Mat 9:24. Our Lord certified this because He knew what He would do, Joh 6:6.

3) "But for the glory of God," (all' huper tes dokses tou theou) "But (it is) on behalf of the glory of God," that God might be glorified, as expressed also Joh 9:3. Some sickness is caused by one's own carelessness, some by overwork, some by worry, some by ravages of disease, yet some is simply for the glory of God, See?

4) "That the Son of God might be glorified thereby." (hina doksasthe ho huios tou theou di' autes) "In order that the Son of God may be glorified through it." Jesus knew what the result of Lazarus' sickness would be and what He would do, that both He and the Father might be glorified in it, Rom 8:28; Ecc 3:1; Joh 13:31. His own death later was also designed to be for both His glory and that of the Father, Joh 7:39; Joh 12:16.