5. Diligebat autem Iesus Martham, et sororem eius Mariam, et Lazarum.5. Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister Mary, and Lazarus.

5. Some connect this verse with what has gone before, as giving the reason why the sisters of Lazarus informed Jesus of the illness of His friend. But it is better to connect with what follows in this way. Jesus loved Lazarus, and therefore when He had remained in the same place two days, then He said: Let us go into Judea again, as if He were unable to remain any longer away from His friend. Thus it is not merely His return to Judea, but His return after two days, that proves His friendship. Had He returned sooner, the miracle of the raising of Lazarus would have been less striking, and would not have afforded to Martha and Mary such a powerful [pg 195] motive of faith. See below on verse [15].

The passing notice here of a friendship that must have been the result of long and intimate intercourse shows us how incomplete are the Gospel records. It is very interesting to notice how in this verse St. John refers to the love of Jesus for Lazarus and his sisters by a different word from that used by the sisters in verse 3. Instead of φιλεῖς, which expresses the affection of personal attachment, St. John, now that there is question of the love of Jesus not only for Lazarus but also for his sisters, uses Ἠγάπα, which expresses rather esteem than love, rather a reasoning appreciation than a heartfelt attachment. See below on [xxi. 15-17], where the contrast between the two words is most marked.

6. Ut ergo audivit quia, infirmabatur, tunc quidem mansit in eodem loco duobus diebus.6. When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he still remained in the same place two days.
7. Deinde post haec dixit discipulis suis: Eamus in Iudaeam iterum.7. Then after that he said to his disciples: Let us go into Judea again.
8. Dicunt ei discipuli: Rabbi, nunc quaerebant te Iudaei lapidare, et iterum vadis illuc?8. The disciples say to him: Rabbi, the Jews but now sought to stone thee: and goest thou thither again?

8. The disciples, fearing for His safety and for their own (see verse [16], where Thomas takes it for granted that return to Judea meant death to Him and them), try to dissuade Him from returning.

9. Respondit Iesus: Nonne duodecim sunt horae diei? Si quis ambulaverit in die, non offendit, quia lucem huius mundi videt:9. Jesus answered: Are there not twelve hours of the day? If a man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.

9. The meaning is: just as a man walks safely and without stumbling during the period of daylight, which is a fixed period that cannot be shortened: so, during the time appointed for My mortal life by My Father, I am safe, and so are you.

10. Si autem ambulaverit in nocte offendit, quia lux non est in eo.10. But if he walk in the night he stumbleth, because the light is not in him.

10. But after the time of My mortal life, then, indeed, you may expect persecution and [pg 196] suffering; for when I am gone, you shall be as men walking after the sun's light has gone down.

11. Haec, ait, et post haec dixit eis: Lazarus amicus noster dormit: sed vado ut a somno excitem eum.11. These things he said: and after that he said to them: Lazarus our friend sleepeth; but I go that I may awake him out of sleep.
12. Dixerunt ergo discipuli eius: Domine, si dormit, salvus erit.12. His disciples therefore said: Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
13. Dixerat autem Iesus de morte ejus: illi autem putaverunt quia de dormitione somni diceret.13. But Jesus spoke of his death; and they thought that he spoke of the repose of sleep.
14. Tunc ergo Iesus dixit eis manifeste: Lazarus mortuus est:14. Then therefore Jesus said to them plainly: Lazarus is dead;