John 11:42

42 And I know that you always hear me, but for the sake of the crowd standing around I said [it], so that they may believe that you sent me."

John 11:42 Meaning and Commentary

John 11:42

And I knew that thou hearest me always
Which was not only a support to the faith of Christ, as man, but is also to his people, whose advocate, intercessor, and mediator he is.

But because of the people which stand by, I said [it];
that he was heard, and always heard by God; and, therefore must have great interest in his affection, and knowledge of his will; yea, their wills must be the same:

that they may believe that thou hast sent me:
for if he had not sent him, he would never have heard him in anything, and much less in everything; wherefore this was a full proof, and clear evidence of his divine mission.

John 11:42 In-Context

40 Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"

41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes above and said, "Father, I give thanks to you that you hear me.

42 And I know that you always hear me, but for the sake of the crowd standing around I said [it], so that they may believe that you sent me."

43 And [when he] had said these [things], he cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!"

44 The one who had died came out, his feet and his hands bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped with a facecloth. Jesus said to them, "Untie him and let him go."

Footnotes

• [a]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation