Our friend Lazarus sleepeth;— Our Lord might choose the expression Lazarus sleepeth, partly out of tenderness, as being least shocking, when he spoke of so dear a friend; and it may also be considered as an instance of that modesty which characterizes all our Lord's actions. He does not immediately say, "He is dead, and I go by my almighty power to burst the bonds of the sepulchre, and to command him back to life again;" but, avoiding all parade and ostentation, he chooses the simplest and humblest expression that can be thought of: it is likewise remarkable, that, after using the expression, Lazarus sleepeth, our Lord adds, I go, that I may awake him: but afterwards, when he says he is dead, John 11:14 he there stops, consistentlywith the same modesty, and mentions nothing of his restoring him to life; that he might not seem chargeable with the least shadow of ostentation.
Related Commentaries of John 11:11
John 11:11
11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.