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John 11:40

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 11:40 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou believedst, thou shouldest see the glory of God?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou believedst, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
John 11:40 — American Standard Version

Context — John 11

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
37But some of them said, Could not this man, who opened the eyes of him that was blind, have caused that this man also should not die?
38Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone lay against it.
39Jesus saith, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time the body decayeth; for he hath been [dead] four days.
40Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou believedst, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
41So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou heardest me.
42And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the multitude that standeth around I said it, that they may believe that thou didst send me.
43And when he had thus spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
← John 11:39John 11:41 →
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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
“Jesus saith unto her, said I not unto thee, etc.] Not in so many words, but what might be concluded from what he said; yea, the following express words might be delivered by Christ, in his conversation with Martha, though they are not before recorded by the evangelist: that if thou wouldst believe thou shouldest see the glory of God; a glorious work of God, wherein the glory of his power and goodness would be displayed, and the Son of God be glorified, or should see such a miracle wrought, which should engage her to glorify God; and on account of which, she would see just reason to do it, and would be concerned in it: and when it would appear that the sickness and death of her brother, which…”
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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
“Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?--He had not said those very words, but this was the scope of all that He had uttered to her about His life-giving power (Joh 11:23, Joh 11:25-26); a gentle yet emphatic and most instructive rebuke: "Why doth the restoration of life, even to a decomposing corpse, seem hopeless in the presence of the Resurrection and the Life? Hast thou yet to learn that 'if thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth?'" (Mar 9:23).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Said I not unto thee - This was implied in what he had said about the resurrection of her brother, John 11:23-25. There would be a manifestation of the glory of God in raising him up which she would be permitted, with all others, to behold. The glory of God - The power and goodness displayed in the resurrection. It is probable that Martha did not really expect that Jesus would raise him up, but supposed that he went there merely to see the corpse. Hence, when he directed them to take away the stone, she suggested that by that time the body was offensive. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Said I not - It appears by this, that Christ had said more to Martha than is before recorded. John 11:41”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Said: Joh 11:23-26; Ch2 20:20; Rom 4:17-25 see: Joh 11:4, Joh 1:14, Joh 9:3, Joh 12:41; Psa 63:2, Psa 90:16; Co2 3:18, Co2 4:6 John 11:41”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification