11:41a
So: This word introduces what happens next. It is also the result of Jesus saying in 11:39a, “Take away the stone.” Most English translations use the word So, though some do not translate this word. Here is another way to translate it:
Then (Revised English Bible)
they took away the stone: The word they does not refer to a specific noun mentioned earlier. However, it probably refers to some of the men that were there to comfort Martha and Mary. They removed the stone that was in front of the cave where Lazarus was buried. See how you translated stone in 11:38. In some languages you may need to include more information about where the stone was. For example:
they moved the stone away from the entrance (New Century Version)
-or-
the stone was moved away from the entrance of the tomb (God’s Word)
-or-
⌊some men⌋ rolled the stone away ⌊from the entrance of the cave⌋
11:41b
Then: This word introduces the next thing that happened. Jesus prayed to God his Father. Some English translations do not translate this word. Here is another way to translate this word:
Then (New Jerusalem Bible)
Jesus lifted His eyes upward: This clause indicates that Jesus looked up to heaven, to God. The Jews often looked up when they prayed. In some languages it may be natural to say this explicitly.
said: This word introduces Jesus’ prayer to God. In some languages it is more natural to say:
prayed (Contemporary English Version)
Father: Jesus prayed to God. The word Father refers to God. In some languages it is more natural to have a possessive pronoun before the word Father. For example:
My Father
I thank You that You have heard Me: Jesus thanked God that God had heard his prayer for Lazarus and, it is implied, would answer it. In some languages it may be possible to make this implication clearer. For example:
I thank you for listening to me
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