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John 11:39

Made Simple — Modern English Translation

Translated by Verse Made Simple Editorial
KJV ORIGINAL
Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE

Jesus said, 'Move the stone.' But Martha, the dead guy's sister, was like, 'Lord, he's going to smell terrible, he's been dead for four days.'

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

Even when Jesus shows up, sometimes we're still worried about the mess instead of the miracle.

📚 Historical Context

In the Gospel of John, this event takes place in Bethany, where Jesus arrives to visit Mary and Martha after their brother Lazarus has died and been buried for four days. Jewish burial customs at the time involved wrapping the body in cloth and sealing it in a tomb, and decomposition in a warm climate would cause a noticeable odor, which is why Martha expresses concern. This moment builds tension in the narrative, highlighting Jesus' authority over death as part of his ministry leading to his own resurrection.

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