Sunday morning we were looking at Jesus’ “I am” sayings. When we got to John chapter 11 and Jesus’ statement of “I am the resurrection and the life,” we had a couple of different views of interpretation.
The Jews are watching Jesus interact with Mary and Martha. They respond:
Jn 11:36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”
Jn 11:37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”
I pointed out how they appear to be gaining a level of belief, and Bryan saw sarcasm in their statements. So I came home and looked up some commentaries on these passages, and found these views:
36-37 Jesus' true humanity was emphasized by the response of the people at Lazarus's tomb. Some were impressed by Jesus' open show of emotion and took it as an evident token of his love for Lazarus. Others, perhaps not so lovingly, wondered why Jesus had not prevented Lazarus's death by one of his miracles. The reference to the healing of the blind man again (cf. 10:21) shows that it must have created a sensation in Jerusalem since it was remembered several months after it had occurred. Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary (2 volumes), Pradis CD-ROM:Jn 11:36, Book Version: 5.1.50
11:37 Their position was like that of Martha (v. 21) and Mary (v. 32), but they based it on Jesus’ ability to give sight to the blind (cf. ch. 9). NIV Study Bible Notes. Pradis CD-ROM:The New Testament/John/Study Notes on John/Chapter 11.
So, what are your thoughts. Were the Jewish leaders beginning to believe? Do you think they were being sarcastic? Maybe a little of both?
BLOBD,
Yvette
4 comments:
John 11:37 starts with the word "but" which makes me think the comment in this verse is not complimentary as the comment in John 11:36 seems.
Judy,
Great observation. Makes you wonder if they were questioning his love for them.
Hmmm....seems like we still ask the same questions.
I think that Bryan guy was on to something!
-Brian Lugunus
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