Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.

JOHN 11:41KJV
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John 11:41 (KJV)

What does John 11:41 mean?

John 11:41 describes how the people removed the stone from Lazarus’s tomb, and Jesus looked upward and thanked God the Father for hearing Him. This verse shows Jesus openly expressing gratitude to God before performing the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead.

Jesus is speaking in front of a gathered crowd, just before He calls Lazarus out of the tomb. The verse highlights Jesus’s relationship with God as Father and His confidence that God listens to Him. The act of lifting His eyes and giving thanks out loud lets everyone present see that what is about to happen is connected to God’s power and purpose.

The Greek behind John 11:41

  • The word for "lifted up" is ᾖρεν (ēren), from αἴρω (airō), which often means to raise or lift. Here, it describes Jesus physically looking upward, a common gesture of prayer or seeking connection with God.
  • The word for "thank" is εὐχαριστῶ (eucharistō), which means to give thanks or express gratitude. This word emphasizes Jesus’s attitude of thankfulness even before the miracle happens, showing trust in God’s response.
  • The word for "heard" is ἤκουσάς (ēkousas), from ἀκούω (akouō), meaning to listen or respond. Jesus’s use of this word shows He believes God has already listened to His request, not just that God will listen in the future.

Why John 11:41 matters

  • John 11:41 clears up any idea that Jesus is acting alone; He openly credits God the Father for what is about to happen.
  • The verse emphasizes the public nature of Jesus’s prayer, making it clear to the crowd that the miracle is an answer to prayer, not just a display of power.
  • This moment connects to the larger story, showing that Jesus’s miracles are meant to reveal God’s glory and invite faith in those watching.

Where else these words appear

“up” Greek G507 · used in 9 verses

  • John 2:7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
  • Acts 2:19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
  • Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

“dead” Greek G2348 · used in 13 verses

  • Matthew 2:20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.
  • John 11:21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
  • John 19:33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:

“laid” Greek G2749 · used in 26 verses

  • Matthew 3:10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
  • Luke 23:53 And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.
  • John 21:9 As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.

“where” Greek G3757 · used in 27 verses

  • Matthew 2:9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
  • Luke 24:28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.
  • Acts 28:14 Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.