Book of John - Chapter 11 - Verse 39

When Jesus instructed Martha to have the stone rolled away from the tomb of her deceased brother, she hesitated, explaining that her brother had been dead for four days and that his body would by then emit a foul odor. This reaction from Martha reveals a common cultural belief during that time that after three days, decay would set in, and the body would begin to decompose, leading to an unpleasant smell. By specifically mentioning the duration of her brother's death and the potential odor, Martha emphasizes the finality and physical reality of death, which was a stark reminder of the limitations of human understanding and power. Jesus' response to Martha's concern serves to highlight his own authority over death and his ability to perform a miraculous resurrection, demonstrating his power as the Son of God and offering hope in the face of death and decay.

In this verse from the Gospel of John, we see Jesus commanding for the stone to be removed from the tomb of Lazarus, who had been dead for four days. Martha, Lazarus's sister, expresses concern about the odor that would be present since her brother had been dead for a significant amount of time. This interaction between Jesus and Martha highlights the humanity and physical reality of death. The theological interpretation of this passage emphasizes Jesus's power over death and the concept of resurrection. By asking for the stone to be taken away, Jesus demonstrates his authority as the Son of God who has power over life and death. The mention of Lazarus being dead for four days is significant in Jewish tradition, as it was believed that the soul of a person departed after three days. Therefore, by waiting for four days, Jesus's miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead could not be attributed to any natural causes. This event foreshadows Jesus's own resurrection and serves as a powerful testament to his divinity and ability to bring life even in the face of death.