John 11:14-16 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Then said Jesus plainly That he might not hold them any longer in suspense, or permit them to remain under a mistake; Lazarus is indeed dead: and As I could not have permitted this to have happened in my presence, I am glad for your sakes That your faith may be more fully confirmed, by a further remarkable display of my divine power; that I was not there That I was not in Judea before he died; for had I been there, and recovered him, your faith in me, as the Messiah, must have wanted that great confirmation which it shall soon receive. Nevertheless Although he be dead, or, therefore, as the particle αλλα is used, Acts 10:20; and Acts 26:16; let us go unto him To Bethany, where he lies dead. Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus Thomas in Hebrew, as Didymus in Greek, signifies a twin; Let us also go, that we may die with him With Jesus, whom he supposed the Jews would kill. It seems to be the language of despair. “Thus,” as Dr. Lardner has remarked, “Jesus, who could have raised Lazarus from the dead without opening his lips, or rising from his seat, leaves the place of his retirement beyond Jordan, and takes a long journey into Judea, where the Jews lately attempted to kill him. The reason was, his being present in person, and raising Lazarus to life again, before so many witnesses at Bethany, where he died, and was well known, would be the means of bringing the men of that and future ages to believe in him and his doctrine, which is so well fitted to prepare mankind for a resurrection to eternal life, an admirable proof and emblem of which he gave them in this great miracle.”