Verse of the Day
Sunday, December 7, 2025
John 11:25
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live.”
Introduction
John 11:25 stands at the heart of one of the most dramatic and revealing moments in John’s Gospel—the raising of Lazarus. Spoken to Martha outside her brother’s tomb, these words constitute one of Jesus’ most profound self-disclosures. In declaring Himself to be “the resurrection and the life,” Jesus reframes Martha’s hope in a distant future resurrection into a present, personal reality grounded in His own identity. This verse serves not only as a turning point in the narrative but also as a theological cornerstone for Christian belief in life beyond death.
Commentary
The verse begins with Jesus’ seventh “I am” (ἐγώ εἰμι) statement in John, a deliberate echo of the divine name revealed to Moses (Exodus 3:14). This linguistic choice emphasizes Jesus’ divine authority in matters of life and death.
“I am the resurrection and the life.”
Jesus does not merely promise resurrection; He embodies it. “Resurrection” (ἀνάστασις) speaks to victory over death, while “life” (ζωή) in Johannine theology conveys not merely biological existence but fullness of life in communion with God. Together, these terms proclaim Jesus as the source and sustainer of eternal life.
“Those who believe in me…”
Belief (πιστεύω), a central theme in John’s Gospel, conveys trust, loyalty, and relational commitment—not mere intellectual assent.
“…even though they die, will live.”
Jesus acknowledges physical death as a reality yet denies it the final word. The future tense “will live” points to both the promise of resurrection and the ongoing participation in divine life for believers.
This verse thus reveals a Christ who stands sovereign over death and who offers a life so enduring that death becomes a passage rather than an end.
Understanding the Context
The statement occurs during Jesus’ response to the death of His friend Lazarus. Mary and Martha had sent word to Jesus, confident in His healing power, yet Lazarus dies before He arrives. In her grief, Martha expresses a conventional Jewish belief in a resurrection “on the last day” (John 11:24). Jesus responds by shifting her hope from a future event to a present encounter with the One who gives life.
Within the broader Gospel narrative, this moment anticipates Jesus’ own death and resurrection—events that will reveal definitively His authority over the grave. The raising of Lazarus serves as the final sign leading to the plot against Jesus’ life; thus, the verse functions not only as comfort for a grieving sister but as a theological declaration that initiates the final movement toward the cross.
This passage embodies key Johannine themes: Jesus as the giver of life, belief as the pathway to that life, and signs that reveal His glory.
Application for Today
Jesus’ proclamation speaks powerfully into the lives of modern believers. In a world where death, loss, and fear often seem overwhelming, His words offer a hope that is both future-oriented and presently transformative. Christ promises not only resurrection at the end of time but also a life infused with His presence now—a life marked by purpose, resilience, and spiritual vitality.
For disciples today, believing in Jesus entails entrusting one’s life and destiny to Him, allowing His life-giving presence to shape daily priorities, relationships, and responses to suffering. His authority over death invites Christians to face mortality with courage, not denial. His gift of life invites them to live with gratitude, intentionality, and witness.
This verse challenges believers to root their hope not in circumstances or human achievement but in the person of Christ, who brings life where despair once reigned.
Reflection
Jesus’ declaration raises a vital question for every reader: What does it mean to entrust one’s life to the One who holds power over death itself? His words to Martha invite a shift from abstract belief to personal trust, from distant theological ideas to lived confidence in His presence. When Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life,” He invites us to see life not as something we must secure or preserve by our own strength, but as a gift found in relationship with Him.
The story of Lazarus reminds us that faith is forged not only in moments of clarity but also in seasons of grief and perplexity. Even when circumstances appear final or unchangeable, Christ’s presence bears witness to a deeper reality: life—true life—remains in His hands.
The Bible texts are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Verse of the Day is a daily inspirational and encouraging Bible verse, extracted from BibleGateway.com. Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM.
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