Thy Word is a Lamp Unto My Feet Outreach

John 11:25

I am the resurrection and the life — what does this mean? Are there special kernels of Truth in these words?

THE VERSE
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth on me though he were dead, yet shall he live.

THE STUDY
Resurrection [Greek term: anastasis]. Noun, meaning “A standing up, a raising up.” Derives from a compound root: ana (“by way of, by means of, into the midst”) + istēmi (“to stand, to make firm”). This word/concept is to be contrasted with tithēmi, which indicates a passive, horizontal setting. Resurrection states a literal upright, active position.

Life [Greek term: zōē]. This word means literal vitality. ZOE is the thing directly receiving the action or effect of the verb — in this case, PISTEUO, which is literally life-giving. In short, Belief gives Life; the verse refers to this special belief as being literally life-giving to Mankind (as opposed to not believing, which is sin and death — John 16:7-9, Romans 6:23).

Believeth [Greek term: pisteuō]. Believing isn’t simply thinking a thing as “true,” but having faith in something; to credit or to entrust. The very core/root definition of PISTEUO is “to be persuaded, give credence to.” Taken one step further, the language root for “to be persuaded” comes from the notion of convincing or assenting to. Hence, PISTEUO stresses a deep-rooted conviction of faith through evidence, an assent to such a thing being true (e.g., Hebrews 11:1-3). The Greek verb form indicates a continuing aspect — suggesting growth (“believe and keep on believing”) and not a static, one-time event (“once saved, always saved”).

Dead [Greek term: apothnēskō]. Verb, meaning “To die off.” Its root is a compound term: apo (“off,” “away” as in separation) + thnēskō (“to die, to be dead”). The combination of the two terms emphasizes death as a separation.

TAKEAWAY THOUGHT
John 11:25 speaks of the Messiah’s promise of a spiritual and literal bodily raising-up. This raising is not just of an empty body, a shell – but the promise to give that body vitality. Mankind wasn’t made to die; death is separation from YHWH. Death wasn’t part of His original plan.