John 11:40

Authorized King James Version

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Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

Original Language Analysis

λέγει saith G3004
λέγει saith
Strong's: G3004
Word #: 1 of 15
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτῇ unto her G846
αὐτῇ unto her
Strong's: G846
Word #: 2 of 15
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
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 3 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς Jesus G2424
Ἰησοῦς Jesus
Strong's: G2424
Word #: 4 of 15
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
Οὐκ not G3756
Οὐκ not
Strong's: G3756
Word #: 5 of 15
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
εἶπόν Said I G2036
εἶπόν Said I
Strong's: G2036
Word #: 6 of 15
to speak or say (by word or writing)
σοι unto thee G4671
σοι unto thee
Strong's: G4671
Word #: 7 of 15
to thee
ὅτι that G3754
ὅτι that
Strong's: G3754
Word #: 8 of 15
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἐὰν if G1437
ἐὰν if
Strong's: G1437
Word #: 9 of 15
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
πιστεύσῃς thou wouldest believe G4100
πιστεύσῃς thou wouldest believe
Strong's: G4100
Word #: 10 of 15
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
ὄψει thou shouldest see G3700
ὄψει thou shouldest see
Strong's: G3700
Word #: 11 of 15
to gaze (i.e., with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from g0991, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from g1
τὴν G3588
τὴν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 12 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δόξαν the glory G1391
δόξαν the glory
Strong's: G1391
Word #: 13 of 15
glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)
τοῦ G3588
τοῦ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 14 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ of God G2316
θεοῦ of God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 15 of 15
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

Analysis & Commentary

Jesus gently rebukes Martha by recalling His earlier promise (v. 23-26). The conditional 'if thou wouldest believe' doesn't question her faith but calls for its actualization. Believing isn't passive assent but active trust that yields to God's word despite appearances. 'Thou shouldest see the glory of God' promises revelation contingent on faith. This order—believe, then see—reverses human preference. Glory manifests not to produce faith but to those exercising faith. This models the principle: faith precedes sight (2 Cor 5:7).

Historical Context

Jesus' teaching consistently called for faith before miraculous manifestation (Mark 11:24). This countered both ancient and modern demands for proof before belief.

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