John 12:11

John 12:11, in plain English

Because of Lazarus, many of the Jews were leaving the authorities and putting their faith in Jesus.

Why it's here

Lazarus' life is his testimony. Every day he walks around alive is another day people come to faith in Jesus. That's why the leaders want him dead.

Who's speaking

The narrator explains why the authorities want Lazarus dead—he's too effective a witness.

Where it sits in the story

Lazarus doesn't even have to preach. He just has to exist. And his existence is the most powerful argument for Jesus that the leaders simply cannot counter.

The scholarly reading

The motivation for targeting Lazarus is explicit: 'because on account of him (di' auton) many of the Jews were departing (hypēgon) and believing in Jesus'—his existence was converting people away from the authorities.

Language and setting

The verb 'hypēgon' suggests an ongoing departure or defection from the religious establishment. Lazarus' resurrection is causing an ecclesiastical hemorrhage that threatens the authorities' control.

Voice

The narrator explains the reason for the plot against Lazarus: his living testimony is drawing people to Jesus.

Significance

The authorities face an existential threat: Lazarus' living testimony is causing a mass exodus from their influence. Unable to argue against a resurrected man, they resort to planning his second death.

9Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews learned that Jesus was there. And they came not only because of Him, but also to see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.

10So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well,

11for on account of him many of the Jews were deserting them and believing in Jesus.

12The next day the great crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem.

13They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the King of Israel!”

Read all of John 12 — Mary anoints Jesus' feet with costly perfume, the crowds wave palm branches, and Jesus announces that his hour has finally arrived.