John 11:14

14 Then, therefore, Jesus said to them freely, `Lazarus hath 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 therefore said his disciples, `Sir, if he hath fallen asleep, he will be saved;'

13 but Jesus had spoken about his death, but they thought that about the repose of sleep he speaketh.

14 Then, therefore, Jesus said to them freely, `Lazarus hath died;

15 and I rejoice, for your sake, (that ye may believe,) that I was not there; but we may go to him;'

16 therefore said Thomas, who is called Didymus, to the fellow-disciples, `We may go -- we also, that we may die with him,'