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Jesus meant that Lazarus was dead, but the disciples thought Jesus meant that Lazarus was only sleeping.
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Then Jesus told them plainly, "Lazarus has died,
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but I'm glad that I wasn't there so that you can grow in faith. Let's go to Lazarus."
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Thomas, who was called Didymus, said to the rest of the disciples, "Let's go so that we, too, can die with Jesus."
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When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days.
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(Bethany was near Jerusalem, not quite two miles away.)
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Many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother.
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When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. Mary stayed at home.
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Martha told Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
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But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask him."
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Jesus told Martha, "Your brother will come back to life."