John 11:24 (KJV)

What does John 11:24 mean?

John 11:24 records Martha telling Jesus that she believes her brother Lazarus will rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Martha is expressing her faith in a future resurrection, trusting that Lazarus will live again when God raises the dead at the end of time.

In this verse, Martha is speaking to Jesus after her brother Lazarus has died. She is responding to Jesus’ earlier statement about Lazarus rising again. Martha’s words show she understands and believes in the common Jewish hope of a resurrection at the end of the age, but she does not yet realize that Jesus is about to raise Lazarus immediately.

The Greek behind John 11:24

• ἀνάστασις (anastasis, “resurrection”): This word means a rising up or standing up again, and in this context, it refers to the belief that the dead will be raised to life in the future. Martha’s use of this term shows she is thinking of a general, future event rather than something immediate.
• ἐσχάτῃ (eschatē, “last”): This word means “last” or “final,” and it points to the idea of the “last day” as the time when the resurrection will happen. This reflects a common Jewish belief in a final day of judgment and resurrection.

Why John 11:24 matters

• John 11:24 shows that Martha has a traditional Jewish understanding of resurrection, which helps set the stage for Jesus to reveal something new about his own power over life and death.
• This verse highlights the difference between believing in a distant, future hope and recognizing what Jesus can do in the present moment.
• Understanding Martha’s expectation clarifies why Jesus’ later actions—raising Lazarus immediately—are so surprising and significant to those present.