John 11:4

“When Jesus heard that, etc.] That his friend Lazarus was sick, he said; either to his disciples, or to the messenger or messengers that brought the account to him, and that on purpose to yield some relief to the afflicted family when it should be reported to them: this sickness is not unto death; it was to issue in death, but not in death which was to continue, or under which Lazarus was to continue till the general resurrection; for though he should die, yet he should be so quickly restored again to life, that it scarcely deserved the name of death. The Jews distinguish between sickness and sickness; there are some that are sick, the greater part of whom are, µyyjl, “for life”; and there…”

“When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death--to result in death. but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified thereby--that is, by this glory of God. (See Greek.) Remarkable language this, which from creature lips would have been intolerable. It means that the glory of GOD manifested in the resurrection of dead Lazarus would be shown to be the glory, personally and immediately, of THE SON.”

“This sickness is not unto death - The word “death” here is equivalent to remaining under death, Romans 6:23. “The wages of sin is death” - permanent or unchanging death, opposed to eternal life. Jesus evidently did not intend to deny that he would die. The words which he immediately adds show that he would expire, and that he would raise him up to show forth the power and glory of God. Compare John 11:11. Those words cannot be understood on any other supposition than that he expected to raise him up. The Saviour often used expressions similar to this to fix the attention on what he was about to say in explanation. The sense may be thus expressed: “His sickness is not fatal. It is not…”

“This sickness is not to death, but for the glory of God - The event of this sickness will not be death, in the usual sense of the word, a final separation of his soul and body; but a manifestation of the glorious power of God. John 11:7”

“11:4 Jesus’ response paralleled his words about the man born blind (9:1-5). Jesus already knew that Lazarus was dead (11:14); he was talking about Lazarus’ resurrection (11:43), which would bring glory to God.”

“This: Joh 9:3; Mar 5:39-42; Rom 11:11 for: Joh 11:40, Joh 9:24, Joh 12:28, Joh 13:31, Joh 13:32; Phi 1:11; Pe1 4:11, Pe1 4:14 that: Joh 2:11, Joh 5:23, Joh 8:54, Joh 13:31, Joh 13:32, Joh 17:1, Joh 17:5, Joh 17:10; Phi 1:20; Pe1 1:21 John 11:5”