KJV: Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
YLT: Jesus, therefore, again groaning in himself, cometh to the tomb, and it was a cave, and a stone was lying upon it,
Darby: Jesus therefore, again deeply moved in himself, comes to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
ASV: Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone lay against it.
| Ἰησοῦς | Jesus |
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Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: Ἰησοῦς Sense: Joshua was the famous captain of the Israelites, Moses’ successor. |
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| πάλιν | again |
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Parse: Adverb Root: πάλιν Sense: anew, again. |
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| ἐμβριμώμενος | being deeply moved |
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Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: βριμάομαι Sense: to charge with earnest admonition, sternly to charge, threatened to enjoin. |
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| ἑαυτῷ | Himself |
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Parse: Reflexive Pronoun, Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular Root: ἑαυτοῦ Sense: himself, herself, itself, themselves. |
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| ἔρχεται | comes |
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Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Middle or Passive, 3rd Person Singular Root: ἔρχομαι Sense: to come. |
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| μνημεῖον | tomb |
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Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular Root: μνημεῖον Sense: any visible object for preserving or recalling the memory of any person or thing. |
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| ἦν | It was |
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Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular Root: εἰμί Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present. |
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| δὲ | now |
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Parse: Conjunction Root: δέ Sense: but, moreover, and, etc. |
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| σπήλαιον | a cave |
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Parse: Noun, Nominative Neuter Singular Root: σπήλαιον Sense: a cave, den. |
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| λίθος | a stone |
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Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: λίθος Sense: a stone. |
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| ἐπέκειτο | was lying |
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Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive, 3rd Person Singular Root: ἐπίκειμαι Sense: to lie upon or over, rest upon, be laid or placed upon. |
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| ἐπ’ | against |
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Parse: Preposition Root: ἐπί Sense: upon, on, at, by, before. |
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Greek Commentary for John 11:38
Direct reference to the use of this same word (present middle participle here) in John 11:33, only with εν εαυτωι en heautōi (in himself) rather than τωι πνευματι tōi pneumati (in his spirit), practically the same idea. The speculation concerning his power stirred the depths of his nature again. Cometh to the tomb Vivid historical present. A cave Old word (from σπεος speos cavern). Cf. Matthew 21:13. Lay against it Imperfect middle of επικειμαι epikeimai old verb to lie upon as in John 21:9 and figuratively (1 Corinthians 9:16). Note repetition of επι epi with locative case. The use of a cave for burial was common (Genesis 23:19). Either the body was let down through a horizontal opening (hardly so here) or put in a tomb cut in the face of the rock (if so, επι epi can mean “against”). The stones were used to keep away wild animals from the bodies. [source]
This would be the meaning if the tomb were a vertical pit; but if hollowed horizontally into the rock, it may mean lay against. The traditional tomb of Lazarus is of the former kind, being descended into by a ladder. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 11:38
Only in Mark. Luke 5:14 has παρηγγειλεν parēggeilen (commanded). Mark‘s word occurs also in Mark 14:5 and in Matthew 9:30 and John 11:38. See note on Matthew 9:30. It is a strong word for the snorting of a horse and expresses powerful emotion as Jesus stood here face to face with leprosy, itself a symbol of sin and all its train of evils. The command to report to the priests was in accord with the Mosaic regulations and the prohibition against talking about it was to allay excitement and to avoid needless opposition to Christ. [source]
Imperfect tense of this striking word used of the snorting of horses and seen already in Mark 1:43; John 11:38. It occurs in the lxx in the sense of anger as here (Daniel 11:30). Judas made the complaint against Mary of Bethany, but all the apostles joined in the chorus of criticism of the wasteful extravagance. [source]
Luke in this paragraph (Luke 5:1-11; Mark 1:16-20; Matthew 4:18-22) does not follow the chronology of Mark as he usually does. It seems reasonably clear that the renewed call of the four fishermen came before the first tour of Galilee in Luke 4:42-44. It is here assumed that Luke is describing in his own way the incident given in Mark and Matthew above. Luke singles out Simon in a graphic way. This verb επικεισται epikeisthai is an old one and means to λιε υπον lie upon rest upon as of a stone on the tomb (John 11:38) or of fish on the burning coals (John 21:9). So it is used of a tempest (Acts 27:20) and of the urgent demands for Christ‘s crucifixion (Luke 23:23). Here it vividly pictures the eager crowds around Jesus. Εν τωι επικεισται En tōi epikeisthai is a favourite idiom with Luke as we have already seen, εν en with the articular infinitive in the locative case. [source]
See on Mark 1:43. The word for groaned occurs three times elsewhere: Matthew 9:30; Mark 1:43; Mark 14:5. In every case it expresses a charge, or remonstrance, accompanied with a feeling of displeasure. On this passage there are two lines of interpretation, both of them assuming the meaning just stated. (1) Τῷ πνευ.ματι , the spirit, is regarded as the object of Jesus' inward charge or remonstrance. This is explained variously: as that Jesus sternly rebuked the natural shrinking of His human spirit, and summoned it to the decisive conflict with death; or that He checked its impulse to put forth His divine energy at once. (2) Takes in the spirit, as representing the sphere of feeling, as John 13:21; Mark 8:12; Luke 10:21. Some explain the feeling as indignation at the hypocritical mourning of the Jews, or at their unbelief and the sisters' misapprehension; others as indignation at the temporary triumph of Satan, who had the power of death. The interpretation which explains τῷ πνεύματι as the sphere of feeling is to be preferred. Comp. John 11:38, in himself. The nature of the particular emotion of Jesus must remain largely a matter of conjecture. Rev. renders, in margin, was moved with indignation in the spirit. [source]
Proleptic position of “Jesus,” “Jesus therefore when he saw.” She was weeping at the feet of Jesus, not at the tomb. And the Jews also weeping Mary‘s weeping was genuine, that of the Jews was partly perfunctory and professional and probably actual “wailing” as the verb κλαιω klaiō can mean. Κλαιω Klaiō is joined with αλαλαζω alalazō in Mark 5:38, with ολολυζω ololuzō in James 5:1, with τορυβεω thorubeō in Mark 5:39, with πεντεω pentheō in Mark 16:10. It was an incongruous combination. He groaned in the spirit First aorist middle indicative of εμβριμαομαι embrimaomai old verb (from εν en and βριμη brimē strength) to snort with anger like a horse. It occurs in the lxx (Dan 11:30) for violent displeasure. The notion of indignation is present in the other examples of the word in the N.T. (Mark 1:43; Mark 14:5; Matthew 9:30). So it seems best to see that sense here and in John 11:38. The presence of these Jews, the grief of Mary, Christ‘s own concern, the problem of the raising of Lazarus - all greatly agitated the spirit of Jesus (locative case τωι πνευματι tōi pneumati). He struggled for self-control. Was troubled First aorist active indicative of ταρασσω tarassō old verb to disturb, to agitate, with the reflexive pronoun, “he agitated himself” (not passive voice, not middle). “His sympathy with the weeping sister and the wailing crowd caused this deep emotion” (Dods). Some indignation at the loud wailing would only add to the agitation of Jesus. [source]
Ingressive first aorist active indicative of δακρυω dakruō old verb from δακρυ dakru or δακρυον dakruon a tear (Acts 20:19), only here in N.T. It never means to wail, as κλαιω klaiō sometimes does. “Jesus burst into tears.” Κλαιω Klaiō is used of Jesus in Luke 19:41. See Hebrews 5:7 “with strong crying and tears” Apparently this was as Jesus started towards (see John 11:38) the tomb. In a sense it was a reaction from the severe strain in John 11:33, but chiefly it was the sheer human sympathy of his heart with Martha and Mary touched with the feeling of our common weakness (Hebrews 4:15). Often all that we can do is to shed tears in grief too deep for words. Jesus understood and understands. This is the shortest verse in the Bible, but no verse carries more meaning in it. [source]
“A spring of Jacob” (here and John 4:14), but πρεαρ phrear (well, pit, cistern) in John 4:11 and John 4:12. It is really a cistern 100 feet deep dug by a stranger apparently in a land of abundant springs (Genesis 26:19). Wearied Perfect active participle of κοπιαω kopiaō a state of weariness. The verb means to toil excessively (Luke 5:5). John emphasizes the human emotions of Jesus (John 1:14; John 11:3, John 11:33, John 11:35, John 11:38, John 11:41.; John 12:27; John 13:21; John 19:28). With his journey As a result Imperfect (descriptive) middle of κατεζομαι kathezomai “was sitting.” Thus Probably “thus wearied,” graphic picture. By the well Literally, “upon the curbstone of the well.” Sixth hour Roman time, about 6 p.m., the usual time for drawing water. [source]