John 11:12

12 His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.”

John 11:12 in Other Translations

12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.

12 The disciples said to him, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover."

12 The disciples said, “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will soon get better!”

12 The disciples said, "Master, if he's gone to sleep, he'll get a good rest and wake up feeling fine."

12 Then the disciples said to Him, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will get well."

John 11:12 Meaning and Commentary

John 11:12

Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep
Soundly, quietly, and comfortably, and takes rest in it:

he shall do well;
or "be saved" from the disease; he will be delivered from it; he will recover out of it; it is a sign the distemper is leaving him, and he is growing better, and will be restored to his health again: the Ethiopic version renders it by many words, "he will be well", and "will awake", and "will live". Sound sleep is a sign of health. This they said to, put off their master from going into Judea, fearing the danger he would be exposed unto.

John 11:12 In-Context

10 It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.”

11 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”

12 His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.”

13 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.

14 So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead,