15. For your sakes—to the intent ye may believe. These two clauses, which are separated in the A. V. and Rev., are, in the Greek order, placed together: for your sakes, to the intent ye may believe ; the latter clause being explanatory of the former.
That | was not there. Bengel’s comment is beautiful and characteristic. “It accords beautifully with divine propriety that we read of no one having died while the Prince of life was present. If you suppose that death could not, in the pres- ence of Jesus, have assailed Lazarus, the language of the two sisters, vv. 21, 32, attains loftier meaning; and the Lord’s joy at His own absence is explained.”
Unto him (zpos airdv). Most touching. To him, as though he were yet living. Death has not broken the personal relation of the Lord with His friend.
16. Didymus (4éSupos). Not a surname of Thomas, but the Greek equivalent of the Aramaic name, twin. See on Mark iii. 18. The word occurs only in John’s Gospel.
Fellow-disciples (cuupadnrais). Only here in the New Testament.
We may die. “He will die for the love which he has, but he will not affect the faith which he has not” (Westcott).
17. Had lain in the grave four days already (téocapas rpépas Hon éxovra év TO prnpetp). Lit., found him hawing already four days in the tomb.
18. Fifteen furlongs. About two miles.
19. Many of the Jews came. Rev., rightly, had come, The tense is the pluperfect. Lazarus’ friendship with Jesus had not caused him to be regarded as an apostate, at whose burial every indignity would have been shown. People were even to array themselves in white, festive garments in demon-