John 11:13

13 (Now Jesus had been speaking about his death, but they thought that he was speaking about {real sleep}.)

John 11:13 Meaning and Commentary

John 11:13

Howbeit Jesus spake of his death
Under the figurative phrase of sleeping:

but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep;
in a literal and natural sense.

John 11:13 In-Context

11 He said these [things], and after this he said to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going so that I can awaken him."

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

13 (Now Jesus had been speaking about his death, but they thought that he was speaking about {real sleep}.)

14 So Jesus then said to them plainly, "Lazarus has died,

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

Footnotes

• [a] Literally "the sleep of slumber"