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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - John 11:38 - 11:38
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Again groaning in himself (palin embrimōmenos en heautōi). Direct reference to the use of this same word (present middle participle here) in Joh 11:33, only with en heautōi (in himself) rather than tōi pneumati (in his spirit), practically the same idea. The speculation concerning his power stirred the depths of his nature again.
Cometh to the tomb (erchetai eis to mnēmeion). Vivid historical present.
A cave (spēlaion). Old word (from speos, cavern). Cf. Mat 21:13.
Lay against it (epekeito ep' autōi). Imperfect middle of epikeimai, old verb to lie upon as in Joh 21:9 and figuratively (1Co 9:16). Note repetition of epi with locative case. The use of a cave for burial was common (Gen 23:19). Either the body was let down through a horizontal opening (hardly so here) or put in a tomb cut in the face of the rock (if so, epi can mean “against”). The stones were used to keep away wild animals from the bodies.