7 and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”x

8 “But Rabbi,”y they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you,z and yet you are going back?”

9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light.a 10 It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.”

11 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friendb Lazarus has fallen asleep;c but I am going there to wake him up.”

12 His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” 13 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.d

14 So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”

16 Then Thomase (also known as Didymusa) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

Jesus Comforts the Sisters of Lazarus

17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.f 18 Now Bethanyg was less than two milesb from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother.h 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.i

21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.j