John 11:14

14 Then Jesus became explicit: "Lazarus died.

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 The disciples said, "Master, if he's gone to sleep, he'll get a good rest and wake up feeling fine."
13 Jesus was talking about death, while his disciples thought he was talking about taking a nap.
14 Then Jesus became explicit: "Lazarus died.
15 And I am glad for your sakes that I wasn't there. You're about to be given new grounds for believing. Now let's go to him."
16 That's when Thomas, the one called the Twin, said to his companions, "Come along. We might as well die with him."
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.