At this the disciples were greatly surprised. They said to him, "Why, Master, only a little while ago the men of Judea were trying to stone you. Is it safe for you to go there again?"
"Are there not twelve hours in the day?" answered Jesus. "If a man walks about through the day, he does not stumble, because he can have the light of the sun; but if he walks at night, he does stumble, because he has no light."
With a loud voice, Jesus called: "Lazarus! Come out!" And out from the tomb came the man who had been dead.
Then he added, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; I am going to wake him."
"If he has fallen asleep, Master," said the disciples, "he will get well."
They thought that Jesus was speaking of taking rest in sleep, which would show that a fever was passing away; but Jesus meant that Lazarus was in the sleep of death. Then he told them in plain words:
"Lazarus is dead; and on your account I am glad that I was not there; for now you will learn to believe in me more fully. Come, now, let us go to him."
