And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there. This, as is finely remarked by Luthardt, certainly implies that if He had been present, Lazarus would not have died; not because He could not have resisted the importunities of the sisters, but because, in presence of the personal Life, death could not have reached His friend. And Bengel again makes this exquisite remark, that it is beautifully congruous to the divine decorum that in presence of the Prince of Life no one is ever said to have died.
To the intent ye may believe. This is added to explain His "gladness" at not having been present. His friend's death, as such, could not have been to Him "joyous;" the sequel shows it was "grievous;" but "for them it was safe" (Philippians 3:1).