John 11:44
And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δεδεμένος
bound
G1210
δεδεμένος
bound
Strong's:
G1210
Word #:
5 of 26
to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χεῖρας
hand
G5495
χεῖρας
hand
Strong's:
G5495
Word #:
10 of 26
the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὄψις
face
G3799
ὄψις
face
Strong's:
G3799
Word #:
14 of 26
properly, sight (the act), i.e., (by implication) the visage, an external show
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
15 of 26
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
σουδαρίῳ
with a napkin
G4676
σουδαρίῳ
with a napkin
Strong's:
G4676
Word #:
16 of 26
a sudarium (sweat-cloth), i.e., towel (for wiping the perspiration from the face, or binding the face of a corpse)
λέγει
saith
G3004
λέγει
saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
18 of 26
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
19 of 26
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 #:
20 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
21 of 26
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
23 of 26
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
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
24 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
John 5:25Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.John 20:7And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.John 10:30I and my Father are one.John 5:21For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.Genesis 1:3And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.Luke 7:15And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.1 Samuel 2:6The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.Philippians 3:21Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.Revelation 1:18I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.Mark 5:43And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.
Historical Context
Jewish burial involved wrapping the body in linen strips with spices between layers, and a separate face cloth. This explains why Lazarus needed help removing the bindings.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the imagery of bound resurrection illustrate our spiritual condition?
- What does Jesus' delegation of the 'loosing' teach about human participation in spiritual freedom?
- Who in your life needs help being 'loosed' from spiritual grave clothes?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Lazarus emerges from the tomb still bound in burial wrappings, requiring human assistance for full liberation. Jesus commands 'Loose him, and let him go,' delegating final ministry to bystanders. This demonstrates partnership between divine power (resurrection) and human service (unwrapping). Lazarus' emergence while bound proves resurrection authenticity—no fraud could walk while wrapped. The image of bound resurrection previews our spiritual state: made alive but needing sanctification's progressive loosing from sin's grave clothes.