John 11:11-15
 
John 11:11 (KJB)
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.
 
Jesus now knows that Lazarus was dead and tells His disciples that Lazarus is sleeping and that He is going to wake Lazarus up. The disciples were probably wondering because they knew that the Jews wanted to stone Jesus and the reason that Jesus is returning to Judaea is to wake Lazarus up out of sleep. They probably thought to themselves, is it worth getting stoned just to wake someone out of sleep?
 
John 11:12 (KJB)
Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
 
The disciples had thought if Lazarus was sleeping that means his body would rejuvenate and he will be getting better. The disciples did not understand that Jesus was pointing to the fact that Lazarus had died. A true believer does not die even when their physical body dies. The Bible calls it sleep. The disciples were to learn that very soon.
 
John 11:13 (KJB)
Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
 
From the point of Jesus who is a giver of life, physical death of the believer was only considered sleep. When one wakes up in the morning, they are actually experiencing a type of resurrection. God is the one who wakes us up each morning to give us another day. Jesus was about to wake Lazarus to give him another day on earth.
 
John 11:14 (KJB)
Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
 
Finally, Jesus knew they were not understanding Him so He told them plainly that Lazarus was dead. Now the disciples would have known that the Jews buried their dead the same day. So if Lazarus died, then how could he be awakened?
 
John 11:15 (KJB)
And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
 
I am glad - I rejoice
To the intent - In order that
 
Jesus is not rejoicing over the fact that Lazarus had died because He knows that there is much sorrow in that home. What Jesus is rejoicing over is the fact what was going to happen concerning Lazarus, was going to make the disciples believe, all except Judas. Jesus knew that He was about to perform the greatest miracle and that it would have an impact not only on the disciples but on all those who would witness it. The Glory of God is about to be revealed in His Son.

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