John 11:25-26

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: ²⁶ And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

King James Version

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; ²⁶ and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

New International Version

Miracles

This profound statement from Jesus is made in the context of the death of Lazarus, his friend whom he loved dearly. Jesus has just arrived in Bethany after Lazarus has already been dead for four days. His sister Martha expresses her sorrow that Jesus did not arrive sooner to heal Lazarus.

Jesus responds with this stunning declaration. “I am the resurrection and the life.” He is making the bold claim to be the source of resurrection from the dead and the giver of eternal life. Only God has the power to resurrect and grant life after death.

By saying “the one who believes in me will live, even though they die,” Jesus promises that faith in Him conquers the finality of physical death. Though a believer’s body will experience death, their soul will continue to live eternally because of their relationship with Christ.

He emphatically reiterates this when He states “whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” While believers will experience the death of their physical bodies, they will not ultimately experience eternal, spiritual death which is separation from God. By believing in Jesus, they are granted the promise of eternal life and will be resurrected to live forever with Christ.

Jesus caps off this statement by asking Martha the critical question. “Do you believe this?” In essence, He is asking her to exercise faith that He can indeed overcome death and provide eternal life, just as He then goes on to demonstrate by raising Lazarus from the dead.

This powerful dialogue reveals Jesus as the conqueror of death and the only source of resurrection life. He alone can offer believers victory over sin’s curse of death and the promise of living forever with God.

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