John 11:13 (KJV)

Passage

Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.

Nearby Context

John 11:11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.

John 11:12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.

John 11:13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.

John 11:14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.

John 11:15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "howbeit", "jesus", "spake", "death", "thought", "spoken", "taking", and "rest". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "howbeit" and "jesus", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 12's "Then said his disciples Lord if he..." into verse 14's "Then said Jesus unto them plainly Lazarus...", so "howbeit" and "jesus" belong inside that flow. In John context, the local focus is the identity of Jesus, new birth, eternal life, and belief and unbelief.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "howbeit" and "jesus" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.