13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
13 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.
13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep.
13 Jesus was talking about death, while his disciples thought he was talking about taking a nap.
13 However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep.
13 They thought Jesus meant Lazarus was simply sleeping, but Jesus meant Lazarus had died.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 11:13
Commentary on John 11:11-16
(Read John 11:11-16)
Since we are sure to rise again at the last, why should not the believing hope of that resurrection to eternal life, make it as easy for us to put off the body and die, as it is to put off our clothes and go to sleep? A true Christian, when he dies, does but sleep; he rests from the labours of the past day. Nay, herein death is better than sleep, that sleep is only a short rest, but death is the end of earthly cares and toils. The disciples thought that it was now needless for Christ to go to Lazarus, and expose himself and them. Thus we often hope that the good work we are called to do, will be done by some other hand, if there be peril in the doing of it. But when Christ raised Lazarus from the dead, many were brought to believe on him; and there was much done to make perfect the faith of those that believed. Let us go to him; death cannot separate from the love of Christ, nor put us out of the reach of his call. Like Thomas, in difficult times Christians should encourage one another. The dying of the Lord Jesus should make us willing to die whenever God calls us.