The messenger from the sisters is apparently sent back to them by Jesus with this reply. The interesting thing is that Lazarus was probably dead by this time. We find in the verse after the next one that Jesus waited 2 days before returning to Bethany. In verse 17 we see that Lazurus had lain in the grave for 4 days by the time Jesus gets to Bethany. Current customs were such that Lazarus would have been buried on the same day as his death. That coupled with the fact that Bethany was a one day journey by foot from where Jesus was, helps us to make the above determination. The messenger must have left Lazarus and the sisters and taken one day to travel to Jesus, Who then waited 2 days before setting out on His own one day journey to Bethany, a total of 4 days, to find Lazarus had been dead 4 days. He must have died shortly after the messenger departed on his way to Jesus. And yet Jesus, knowing this, said that this sickness would not end in death and that it would glorify God by glorifying the Son.  The sickness does result in death but it does not end there. The end is Lazarus being alive again and his life bringing glory to God.

John 11:6  Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.

John 11:17  On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.

The listening disciples, the messenger, and the sisters to whom the messenger reported Jesus’ response, would have all taken this literally. To their credit, the sisters did not waver in their faith.

“glory” = What is Jesus talking about when He is speaking of Himself and thus God being glorified? In a small way, He will gain honor and glory through the coming miracle, but ultimately, Jesus will be glorified through the cross. That is His glorification and it is ours (Gal 6:14). What this means is that Jesus was fully aware of what was going to happen to Him if He went to Bethany to help Lazarus, and yet He did go. He was willing to pay the cost in order to help His friend, and He loves you no less than He did Lazarus.

Galatians 6:14  May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.