11
After Jesus said this, he added, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to wake him."
12
The followers said, "But Lord, if he is only asleep, he will be all right."
13
Jesus meant that Lazarus was dead, but his followers thought he meant Lazarus was really sleeping.
14
So then Jesus said plainly, "Lazarus is dead.
15
And I am glad for your sakes I was not there so that you may believe. But let's go to him now."
16
Then Thomas (the one called Didymus) said to the other followers, "Let us also go so that we can die with him."
17
When Jesus arrived, he learned that Lazarus had already been dead and in the tomb for four days.
18
Bethany was about two miles from Jerusalem.
19
Many of the Jews had come there to comfort Martha and Mary about their brother.
20
When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed home.
21
Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.