King James Version
John 11:4 in the King James Version says “When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be ...” — study this verse from John chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.
“When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby .”
John 11:4 · King James Version
(It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby .
Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.
“Jesus”
G2424jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
“unto”
G4314a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
“death”
G2288(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)
“for”
G5228"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super
“the glory”
G1391glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)
“of God”
G2316a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
“the Son”
G5207a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
“of God”
G2316a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
John 11:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to John 11:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge