Joh 11:11-13 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 11. Lazarus sleepeth . Is dead. The word sleep is applied to death, 1st. Because of the resemblance between them, as sleep is the "kinsman of death." In this sense it is often used by pagan writers. But, 2nd. In the Scriptures it is used to intimate that death will not be final : that there will be an awaking out of this sleep, or a resurrection. It is a beautiful and tender expression, removing all that is dreadful in death, and filling the mind with the idea of calm repose after a life of toil, with a reference to a future resurrection in increased rigour and renovated powers. In this sense it is applied in the Scriptures usually to the saints, ; . (i) "sleepeth"

John 11:11-13

Verse 11. Lazarus sleepeth. Is dead. The word sleep is applied to death,

1st. Because of the resemblance between them, as sleep is the "kinsman of death." In this sense it is often used by pagan writers. But,

2nd. In the Scriptures it is used to intimate that death will not be final: that there will be an awaking out of this sleep, or a resurrection. It is a beautiful and tender expression, removing all that is dreadful in death, and filling the mind with the idea of calm repose after a life of toil, with a reference to a future resurrection in increased rigour and renovated powers. In this sense it is applied in the Scriptures usually to the saints, 1Cor 11:30, 15:51; 1Thes 4:14, 5:10, Mt 9:24.

(i) "sleepeth" De 31:16, Acts 7:60, 1Cor 15:18,51 Verse 12. If he sleep, he shall do well. Sleep was regarded by the Jews, in sickness, as a favourable symptom; hence it was said among them, "Sleep in sickness is a sign of recovery, because it shows that the violence of the disease has abated" (Lightfoot.) This seems to have been the meaning of the disciples. They intimated that if had this symptom, there was no need of his going into Judea to restore him.