John 11:37

37 But some of them asked, “Could not this man who opened the eyes of the blind also have kept Lazarus from dying?”

John 11:37 Meaning and Commentary

John 11:37

And some of them said
Who were averse to him, and bore him a secret grudge, and were willing to put the worst construction on every action of his:

could not this man which opened the eyes of the blind;
as it is said, at least pretended, that he did, ( John 9:6 John 9:7 ) , for this must be understood as calling the miracle into question, and as a sneer upon it, and not as taking it for granted that so it was; and even supposing that, it is mentioned to his reproach, since if so, he might

have caused that, even this man should not died:
for either the above cure was a sham, or, if it was a real thing, he who did that could have prevented Lazarus's death; and if he could, and would not, where is his friendship? and what must be thought of all this show of affection to him? and what are these tears, but crocodile ones? but this reasoning, as specious as it may seem, was very fallacious; for he that cured the man born blind could raise Lazarus from the dead, which he intended; and therefore did not prevent his death, that he might still give more joy to the family, bring more glory to God, and himself, and more shame and confusion to his enemies.

John 11:37 In-Context

35 Jesus wept.

36 Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!”

37 But some of them asked, “Could not this man who opened the eyes of the blind also have kept Lazarus from dying?”

38 Jesus, once again deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance.

39 “Take away the stone,” Jesus said. “Lord, by now he stinks,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man. “It has already been four days.”