11:3a
So the sisters sent word to Jesus: This clause returns to the main story after the background information in verse 2. The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So here introduces what the sisters did because Lazarus was very ill. In some translations this word may be left implied. For example
The sisters sent Jesus a message (Good News Translation)
-or-
The sisters sent a message to him (Revised English Bible)
the sisters: This phrase refers to Mary and Martha. You may identify them by name if that is natural in your language. For example:
Mary and Martha (New Century Version)
sent word: This phrase here probably indicates that the sisters informed Jesus about Lazarus’ illness by asking someone else to tell him. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
sent a message to Jesus (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
sent someone to tell Jesus (New Century Version)
-or-
sent a messenger to tell Jesus (God’s Word)
11:3b
Lord, the one You love is sick: This is the content of the message that the sisters sent to Jesus.
Lord: This word refers to Jesus. It literally means “master.” The sisters addressed Jesus with respect. They trusted and honored him as the Messiah. This is the same word that is used in 9:36a and 9:38a. See how you translated it there.
the one You love: This phrase refers to Lazarus. They indicate that Jesus was very fond of Lazarus and cared about his welfare. Lazarus was a close and dear friend. His sisters reminded Jesus about this in order to encourage him to come to see him. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:
your friend (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
your dear friend (Good News Translation)
is sick: Lazarus had a serious and possibly fatal illness. Use the same or a similar expression to what you used in 11:1a.
General Comment on 11:3
In some languages it may be natural to use an indirect quotation here. For example:
The sisters sent a message to the Lord and told him that his good friend Lazarus was sick. Contemporary English Version
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