11:15a
and for your sake: This phrase means “for your benefit” or “for your good.” Jesus knew that he would best help his disciples to believe by raising Lazarus from the dead when he did.
I am glad: These words refer to Jesus being happy or content that he was not with Lazarus during his illness. He implied that if he had been there, he would have healed Lazarus because of sympathy. But now he had another chance to show the disciples his power.
I was not there: Jesus was glad that he was not at Lazarus’ home earlier. It may be natural to make it clear that Jesus was referring to being with Lazarus. For example:
I am glad that I was not with him (Good News Translation)
11:15b
so that: This phrase introduces a purpose. It is the purpose of either Lazarus’ death or Jesus’ not being in Bethany when Lazarus was sick. The two alternatives are related because Lazarus would not have died if Jesus were there. And there is a step that is implied, but not mentioned. Lazarus did not really die so that the disciples would believe, but Jesus raised him so that they would believe. Lazarus died (so that Jesus could raise him) so that the disciples would believe.
you may believe: The word you is plural and refers to the disciples. Jesus would increase their faith through Lazarus’ death and Jesus’ raising him to life. The disciples already believed in Jesus, so the idea here is that they believed more. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
you can grow in faith (God’s Word)
-or-
you will really believe (New Living Translation (2004))
11:15c
But: The word But in Greek indicates a contrast. The contrast is between Jesus not being with Lazarus earlier and going now to him.
let us go to him: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as let us go expresses a first-person plural command. See also 11:7. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
we (incl.) should/must go
-or-
come (plur.) with me
us: The pronoun us refers to Jesus and the disciples. It is inclusive.
to him: The word him refers to Lazarus. Consider how it is natural to refer to going to where a dead person is lying. However, Jesus talks about him as though he were still alive (or would be alive again soon). In some languages it may be natural to make the name explicit. For example:
to Lazarus (God’s Word)
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