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John 11:43
ESV When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.”
NIV When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come out!'
NASB And when He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come out!'
CSB After he said this, he shouted with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out! "
NLT Then Jesus shouted, 'Lazarus, come out!'
KJV And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

What does John 11:43 mean?

All the details described in chapter 11 were intended to set up this moment. Jesus has purposefully arrived at Lazarus' grave when death is beyond all possible doubt (John 11:39). There is a crowd on onlookers (John 11:35–37). Jesus has openly and clearly given credit to God, and God's approval of Jesus, for what is about to happen (John 11:41–42). All of this fits the purpose of Jesus' miracles, which are meant to be "signs" proving that He is divine (John 20:30–31). This was Jesus' intent from the beginning (John 11:11–15). Verses 43 and 44 contain the seventh of seven such "signs" as recorded in the gospel of John.

As with any message, people can choose to accept or ignore what they're told. By making this miracle outrageously public, Jesus is forcing witnesses to "take sides." As it turns out, some of His most hateful critics will only respond with more anger and more violence (John 11:53; 12:10–11).

A common joke told about this incident involves Jesus' use of Lazarus' name. Just as with modern graveyards, ancient people tended to place their dead in common areas (Mark 5:1–3). This means the now-opened grave of Lazarus is not the only one nearby. It's been said—only somewhat in jest—that if Jesus hadn't specified who He was talking to, everyone buried there would have "come forth!"
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