John 11:44 Commentary - Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

1 ) "And he that was dead came forth," (ekselthen ho tethnekos) "The one who had died (the Lazarus) came out," immediately out from the cave-grave where he had been laid, Joh 11:34; He came forth in obedience to his Lord's bidding, alive, Joh 11:23-26.

2) "Bound hand and foot with graveclothes:(dedemenos tous poclas kai tas cheiras keiriais) "His hands and feet had been bound with bandages," wrapped with and in graveclothes, with each limb separately wrapped with strips of linen, but limiting movement of a living body. He was loosed from the winding linen clothes, much like those wound about the body of Jesus at His burial, Joh 19:38-42; Mat 27:59; Mar 15:46; Luk 23:53.

3) "And his face was bound about with a napkin." (kai he opsis autou soudario periededeto) "And his face had been covered and bound with a napkin," much as that Jesus had when He was wrapped for burial and which was left at the grave after His resurrection, Joh 20:5-7. This detail indicates an eye-witness and John, this Gospel writer, was an eye-witness of the event, Joh 21:20; Joh 21:24; 1Jn 1:1.

4) "Jesus said unto them," (legei autois ho lesous) "Jesus said directly to them," to those who had removed the stone entrance at His command, Joh 11:39; Joh 11:41.

5) "Loose him, and let him go." (lusate auton kai aphete auton hupagein) "You all loose him or release him, and allow (permit) him to go," to go free from death's bondage and bandages, that those at hand might both see and touch him, the better to confirm the miracle. Jesus had come to set the captives free, those seized by death, to demonstrate that He was the Son of God, that those believing in Him might be saved, Luk 4:18; Heb 2:9; Heb 2:15; Rev 1:18.