John 11:14

14 So Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead,

John 11:14 Meaning and Commentary

John 11:14

Then said Jesus unto them plainly
Without a figure, when he perceived they did not understand him, and yet it was a very easy and usual metaphor which he had made use of; but such was the present stupidity of their minds, that they did not take in his meaning: wherefore, without reproaching them with it, he said to them in so many words,

Lazarus is dead.
The Persic version reads, "Lazarus is dead indeed", as he really was.

John 11:14 In-Context

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

13 They thought that Jesus was talking about actual sleep, but He was speaking about the death of Lazarus.

14 So Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead,

15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”

16 Then Thomas called Didymus said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, so that we may die with Him.”