John 11:6

Abode two days. The delay was for a purpose known to Jesus but unknown to the anxious family in Bethany. If Jesus permitted Lazarus to fall under the dominion of death, it would be possible for Him to demonstrate His divinity and to give irrefutable evidence that He was indeed the resurrection and the life. By the miracle of raising Lazarus to life Jesus aimed to give crowning evidence to the disbelieving Jews that He was the Messiah, the Saviour of the world.

From Christ’s headquarters in Peraea to Bethany in Judea, a distance of perhaps 25 mi. (40 km.), was about a day’s journey. Jesus’ journey may have been more measured, perhaps occupying two days. It was His custom to minister to those along the way (see DA 529). Lazarus was apparently still alive when the messenger returned from Jesus (see DA 526), but must have died shortly afterward, for when Jesus arrived Lazarus had been dead four days (v. 17). It is thus possible to fit the various time elements of the chapter together, and it is not necessary to conclude, as some have, that Lazarus was already dead when the messenger arrived was already to inform Jesus.