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John 11 · a question people ask

At the tomb Jesus said to Martha, "Didn’t I tell you that if you believed, you would see God’s glory?" (11:40). When had he told her?

In the text

The chapter doesn't record those words said to Martha earlier, and these notes don't say which words he meant. Here is what it does record. When Jesus first heard of the sickness, he said, "This sickness is not to death, but for the glory of God" (11:4); the verse doesn't say who heard him. To Martha he said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies" (11:25), and asked her, "Do you believe this?" (11:26). Before 11:40, those are the places in the chapter where Jesus speaks of God's glory, and where he speaks to Martha of believing.

The verses

“Jesus said to her, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed, you would see God’s glory?””
John 11:40 · World English Bible
“But when Jesus heard it, he said, “This sickness is not to death, but for the glory of God, that God’s Son may be glorified by it.””
John 11:4 · World English Bible
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies. Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?””
John 11:25-26 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of John 11

John 11: The resurrection and the life

The sisters' message asks Jesus for nothing: "Lord, behold, he for whom you have great affection is sick" (11:3). Martha and Mary meet him with the same first words (11:21, 11:32). And the high priest who said "one man should die for the people" is the one the Gospel says "prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation" (11:50-51).

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Last reviewed October 2, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions