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John 11:3

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 11:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “The sisters therefore sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

The sisters therefore sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
John 11:3 — American Standard Version

Context — John 11

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister Martha.
2And it was that Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.
3The sisters therefore sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
4But when Jesus heard it, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified thereby.
5Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
6When therefore he heard that he was sick, he abode at that time two days in the place where he was.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Therefore his sisters sent unto him, etc.] Both the sisters of Lazarus, Mary and Martha, sent to Jesus; they did not go themselves, being women, and the place where Jesus was, was at some distance; and besides, it was necessary they should abide at home, to attend their brother in his sickness, and therefore they sent a messenger, or messengers to Christ, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick; for it seems that Lazarus was in a very singular manner loved by Christ, as man, as John the beloved disciple was; and this is the rather put into the message by the sisters, to engage Jesus to come to his assistance; and they were very right in applying to Christ in this time of need, who…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, he whom thou lovest is sick--a most womanly appeal, yet how reverential, to the known affection of her Lord for the patient. (See Joh 11:5, Joh 11:11). "Those whom Christ loves are no more exempt than others from their share of earthly trouble and anguish: rather are they bound over to it more surely" [TRENCH].”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Whom thou lovest - John 11:5. The members of this family were among the few special and intimate friends of our Lord. He was much with them, and showed them marks of special friendship Luke 10:38-42, and they bestowed upon him special proofs of affection in return. This shows that special attachments are lawful for Christians, and that those friendships are especially lovely which are tempered and sweetened with the spirit of Christ. Friendships should always be cemented by religion, and one main end of those attachments should be to aid one another in the great business of preparing to die. Sent unto him - They believed that he had power to heal him John 11:21, though they did not then seem…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“11:3 The two sisters had a dilemma. They knew Jesus’ power as a healer, but they also realized that his return to Judea would entail personal risk (11:8).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“he: Joh 11:1, Joh 11:5, Joh 13:23; Gen 22:2; Psa 16:3; Phi 2:26, Phi 2:27; Ti2 4:20; Heb 12:6, Heb 12:7; Jam 5:14, Jam 5:15; Rev 3:19 John 11:4”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification