Joh 11:22-27 | RWP | e4.org | And even now I know ( κα νυν οιδα ). Rather just, "Even now I know." Αλλα (but) of the Textus Receptus is not genuine. Whatsoever thou shalt ask of God ( οσα αν αιτηση τον θεον ). Indefinite relative ( οσα , as many things as) with αν and the first aorist middle (indirect middle, thou thyself asking) subjunctive of αιτεω . Martha uses αιτεω (usual word of prayer of men to God) rather than ερωταω (usual word of Jesus praying to the Father), but in we have ερωταω used of prayer to Jesus and αιτεω of prayer to God. But the distinction is not to be pressed. "As many things as thou dost ask of God." God will give ( δωσε σο ο θεος ). Repetition of ο θεος for emphasis. Martha still has courageous faith in the power of God through Jesus and Jesus in verse says practically what she has said here.

‏ John 11:22-27

And even now I know ( κα νυν οιδα ). Rather just, "Even now I know." Αλλα (but) of the Textus Receptus is not genuine.

Whatsoever thou shalt ask of God ( οσα αν αιτηση τον θεον ). Indefinite relative ( οσα, as many things as) with αν and the first aorist middle (indirect middle, thou thyself asking) subjunctive of αιτεω. Martha uses αιτεω (usual word of prayer of men to God) rather than ερωταω (usual word of Jesus praying to the Father), but in 16:23 we have ερωταω used of prayer to Jesus and αιτεω of prayer to God. But the distinction is not to be pressed. "As many things as thou dost ask of God."

God will give ( δωσε σο ο θεος ). Repetition of ο θεος for emphasis. Martha still has courageous faith in the power of God through Jesus and Jesus in verse 41 says practically what she has said here.

Thy brother will rise again ( αναστησετα ο αδελφος σου ). Future middle (intransitive) of ανιστημ. The words promise Martha what she has asked for, if Jesus means that.

In the resurrection at the last day ( εν τη αναστασε εν τη εσχατη ημερα ). Did Jesus mean only that? She believed it, of course, and such comfort is often offered in case of death, but that idea did not console Martha and is not what she hinted at in verse 22.

I am the resurrection and the life ( Εγω ειμ η αναστασις κα η ζωη ). This reply is startling enough. They are not mere doctrines about future events, but present realities in Jesus himself. "The Resurrection is one manifestation of the Life: it is involved in the Life" (Westcott). Note the article with both αναστασις and ζωη. Jesus had taught the future resurrection often (6:39), but here he means more, even that Lazarus is now alive.

Though he die ( καν αποθανη ). "Even if he die," condition (concession) of third class with κα εαν ( καν ) and the second aorist active subjunctive of αποθνησκω (physical death, he means).

Yet shall he live ( ζησετα ). Future middle of ζαω (spiritual life, of course).

Shall never die ( ου μη αποθανη εις τον αιωνα ). Strong double negative ου μη with second aorist active subjunctive of αποθνησκω again (but spiritual death, this time), "shall not die for ever" (eternal death).

Believest thou this? ( πιστευεις τουτο; ) Sudden test of Martha's insight and faith with all the subtle turns of thought involved.

Yea, Lord ( Ναι, κυριε ). Martha probably did not understand all that Jesus said and meant, but she did believe in the future resurrection, in eternal life for believers in Christ, in the power of Christ to raise even the dead here and now. She had heroic faith and makes now her own confession of faith in words that outrank those of Peter in Mt 16:16 because she makes hers with her brother dead now four days and with the hope that Jesus will raise him up now.

I have believed ( πεπιστευκα ). Perfect active indicative of πιστευω. It is my settled and firm faith. Peter uses this same tense in 6:69.

That thou art the Son of God ( οτ συ ε ο Χριστος ο υιος του θεου ). The Messiah or the Christ (1:41) was to be also "the Son of God" as the Baptist said he had found Jesus to be (1:34), as Peter confessed on Hermon for the apostles (Mt 16:16), as Jesus claimed to be (Joh 11:41) and confessed on oath before Caiaphas that he was (Mt 26:63f.), and as John stated that it was his purpose to prove in his Gospel (20:31). But no one said it under more trying circumstances than Martha.

Even he that cometh into the world ( ο εις τον κοσμον ερχομενος ). No "even" in the Greek. This was a popular way of putting the people's expectation (6:14; Mt 11:3). Jesus himself spoke of his coming into the world (9:39; 16:28; 8:37).