John 11:17-22 (WEL) When Jesus arrived, he found that he had already been in the grave for four days. 18 Now Bethany was close to Jerusalem, about 15 stadia [about 2 miles/3.2 kilometers] away. 19 Many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, so they could comfort them about their brother. 20 As soon as Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary stayed seated in the house. 21 Then Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 22 “But I know that even now, whatever you ask God, God will give it to you.”
V17 When Jesus arrived, he found that he had already been in the grave for four days.
Jesus knew that Lazarus was dead (John 11:14). Arriving at the family’s house, Jesus learns that Lazarus had been dead for 4 days.
Does Jesus need to learn anything?
As a human, Jesus needed to learn how to walk, be potty trained, read, write, work, memorize, learn an occupation, and learn obedience (learn by experience—Hebrews 5:8).
As God—God the Son—Jesus didn’t need to learn anything; he is omniscient.
This is part of the mystery of the incarnation.
In Philippians 2:7, it is written that Jesus emptied himself, which is a voluntary action on His part to be a human male in every way, including birth, human education, etc.
AskAndyAI:
“Philippians 2:7 says that Christ “emptied himself” (the Greek idea behind kenosis). “Here’s what that phrase means as I understand it:
- Kenosis means “emptying,” but not in the sense that Christ ceased to be God or surrendered any divine attribute. The clear teaching is that Jesus did not give up deity, nor did He lose the perfections or attributes of God. He remained fully God even while He became fully man.
- Rather, “emptied himself” describes a voluntary self-limitation: the Son laid aside the independent, public exercise of His divine privileges and prerogatives so that He could assume human nature and live as a servant. In other words, He voluntarily refrained from exploiting His divine powers for His own advantage while on earth, submitting those attributes to the Father’s will in the work of the incarnation.
- Practically, that meant Christ “took the form of a bondservant” and was “made in the likeness of men.” He humbled Himself, lived within human limitations, and became obedient even to death on a cross. His emptying is an act of humble servanthood and incarnation, not an ontological loss of deity.
- The immediate point in Paul’s argument is pastoral and ethical: believers are to imitate this servant-attitude. Paul holds up Christ’s kenosis as the supreme example of humility for Christians to follow in relationships and ministry.
“So, “emptied himself” = a voluntary, humble self‑restriction of the independent use of divine prerogatives for the sake of becoming human and serving others — not a loss of deity or divine attributes.”
V18 Now Bethany was close to Jerusalem, about 15 stadia [about 2 miles/3.2 kilometers] away.
John includes a geographical fact because he was present at this event.
V19 Many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary so they could comfort them about their brother.
It is common to comfort others when a relative dies. Their motive was to comfort them. We comfort others in situations as this by 1) being present (showing and love), 2) listening to them (without interruption), 3) weeping with them, (4) praying with them, and (5) supporting them in their needs.
V20 As soon as Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary stayed seated in the house.
Martha is the practical servant who is showing initiative. Mary is the quiet worshipper who is showing emotion and love. The grief apparently was overwhelming her.
V21 Then Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
Martha, taking the lead, asks this question. Martha is not angry; she is just making a statement that she knew if Jesus had been present, her brother, Lazarus, would have been healed.
V22 “But I know that even now, whatever you ask God, God will give it to you.”
Martha reveals faith in action. She states that Jesus can still do anything, even raise the dead. The faith of her words is seen in her action of leaving the house and going to Jesus to make this statement.
Principle: Actions frequently show our motives and beliefs.
We learn:
- Jesus is aware.
- Jesus, as a human male, needed to learn.
- Jesus, as God, knew everything.
- People’s actions speak louder than their words.
Questions:
- Would you have gone to Jesus, like Martha, or stay where you are, like Mary?
- Do you believe Jesus can do anything that is in accordance with His character?