Preceding the incredible miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus tells the people gathered around Him at the Feast of the Dedication in Jerusalem to believe Him because He does the works of His Father (John 10:37-38).
Fun fact*: The Feast of the Dedication (once called the Feast of the Maccabees) is an eight day festival that is celebrated by the Jews in the month of December or late November. We know this festival as Hanukkah. It celebrates the re-dedication of the temple to God after the Maccabean Revolt.
It is important to remember that much of what Jesus did in His time on Earth was not recorded. We may have His first encounter with Mary and Martha recorded in Luke 10:38. This deep friendship He has with these siblings is not fleshed out in Scripture, but it is no less apparent that He had a deep friendship with these siblings.
Timeline
- The beginning of John 11 seems to be disconnected from John 10, so it is not necessarily the same time period (Feast of the Dedication), but I do believe it is fair to assume it is relatively close in time to John 10.
- (John 11:3) Jesus is told of Lazarus being sick.
- (John 11:6) Jesus decides to stay where He is for an additional two days before making His way to Lazarus.
- (John 11:7-16) After the two days, He makes His way to Bethany, east of Jerusalem in Judea. His disciples try to talk Him out of it due to the danger.
- (John 11:17) When Jesus arrives, Lazarus has been dead for 4 days.
- (John 11:20-27) Martha speaks to him when He arrives.
- (John 11:28) Martha goes to get Mary after telling Jesus that she believes He is the Christ, Son of God, the One who comes into the world.
- (John 11:29-31) Mary quickly goes to Jesus with the rest of the mourners following.
- (John 11:32-35) Upon seeing Mary's sadness and the mourners, He is moved and goes to the tomb.
- (John 11:39) Jesus says remove the stone.
- (John 11:39, 41) Mary says he is stinky for he has been dead for 4 days, but they ultimately move the stone.
- (John 11:41-43) Jesus prays so the crowd can hear Him, and He commands Lazarus to come forth.
- (John 11:44) Lazarus comes out of the tomb and they remove his bindings.
- (John 11:45) Many saw what He had done and believed.
- (John 11:46) Some went and tattled to the Pharisees.