John 11:32–44

Verse 33. He groaned in the spirit, and troubled himself. The Latin and Greek, both in this and the 38th verse, express a more than ordinary inward trouble. Christ, as he was truly man, had the affections and passions of human nature; yet so that he was master, even of the first motions, which could not raise in him any disturbance or disorderly inclinations. He permitted, therefore, and, as it is said, raised in himself these affections of compassion and grief at this time. Witham.

Verse 34. Where have you laid him? He asks what he knows, says Saint Augustine to raise their attention, their faith, hope, and so forth Witham.

Verse 35. Jesus wept. A mark of his human nature, when he was going to give them a proof of his divinity, in raising the dead to life. Witham.—The tears of the disconsolate sisters called forth tears from the tender commiseration of Jesus. Nor was it unworthy the Son of God to shed tears. See Luke 19:41. About to give proofs of his divinity in raising the dead, he is pleased to give, first, undoubted proofs of his humanity, that he might shew himself both God and man.

Verse 39. Take away the stone. He could have done this by his word and command; or he could have made Lazarus come out without taking off the stone; he needed not to pray, who could do and command every thing. Witham.

Verse 41. Father, I give thee thanks, that thou hast heard me. He knew that what he asked, even as man, must needs be granted; but he prayed for our instruction. Witham.—Christ was about to pray for the resurrection of Lazarus; but his eternal Father, who alone is good, prevented his petition, and heard it before he presented it. Therefore does Christ begin his prayer, by returning his almighty Father thanks for having granted his request. Orig. tract. 18. in Joan.

NU omits “from the place where the dead man was lying.”

Verse 43. He cried with a loud voice: Lazarus come forth. His will had been sufficient. He calls upon the dead man, says Saint John Chrysostom as if he had been living; and it is no sooner said than done. Witham.

Verse 44. Loose him, and let him go. Christ, says Saint Gregory by giving these orders to his apostles, shews that it belongs to his ministers to loose and absolve sinners, when they are moved to repentance, though it is God himself that forgiveth their sins; and they by his authority only. Witham.—Lazarus comes forth bound from the sepulchre, that he might not be thought to be a phantom; and that the bystanders might themselves loose him, and touching and approaching him, might know for certain that it was he. Saint John Chrysostom hom. lxiii in Joan.—S. Cyril and Saint Augustine both adduce this verse to shew the power of priests in absolving sinners. See S. Cyril l. vii. c. ult. in Joan. and Aug. tract. 49. in Joan.