Funeral reading
John 11:21–27
King James Bible
“John 11:21–27” (King James Bible) is a scripture reading read at a funeral or memorial service. It takes about 55 seconds read aloud, usually by a guest reader. It is in the public domain, so the full text is printed on this page and goes straight into a ceremony script.
The full text
Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
Public domain, so these words can be printed in a ceremony script or an order of service.
Where it comes from
In John 11 these words are a conversation between Jesus and Martha, whose brother Lazarus had been in the grave four days when Jesus arrived. The burial service in the Church of England’s Book of Common Prayer opens with Jesus’ words from this passage, “I am the resurrection and the life”.
What it says
Martha meets Jesus on the road and says what grieving people say: if you had been here, my brother would not have died. Jesus tells her that her brother will rise again, and she answers that she knows he will rise at the last day. Then Jesus says: I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, though dead, will live. Do you believe this? And Martha answers yes.
Martha says the thing everyone is thinking: you could have stopped this. Read at a funeral or memorial service. Themes: resurrection and life · Martha · if you had been here · anger at God · gospel reading.
Who it suits
Christian funerals of every tradition, especially for a brother or sibling, and families who feel the “if only” of a death that came too soon.
Where it goes in the ceremony
Often the Gospel reading, read by the minister or priest. It can also be read by a sibling of the person who has died.
Reading it aloud
The text on this page is 120 words. At a ceremony pace of about 130 words a minute, which is slower than conversation, that comes to about 55 seconds of reading.
- It is a dialogue. Make Martha and Jesus sound like two different people without acting.
- Martha’s first line is reproachful and grieving. Do not soften it.
- “I am the resurrection, and the life” is the center. Pause before it, and read it with quiet confidence.
Questions about reading it aloud
How long does “John 11:21–27” take to read aloud?
“John 11:21–27” takes about 55 seconds read aloud at a ceremony pace, which is slower than conversation — roughly 130 words a minute. That is the figure the run-sheet uses when it works out the timing for the whole service.
Who usually reads “John 11:21–27”?
Usually a guest reader rather than the officiant. “John 11:21–27” runs about 55 seconds, which is a manageable amount to hand to a friend or family member. Give them a printed copy of their own, in a size they can read without their glasses, and tell them where to stand and how you will introduce them.
Can “John 11:21–27” be printed in a ceremony script?
Yes. It is in the public domain, so the full text is on this page and can be printed in a script or an order of service.
Where this text was checked
Checked word for word against a full-text edition that is itself the authority — a Project Gutenberg or Wikisource transcription, a publisher’s own edition, or the issuing body’s page.
Checked
A reading is two minutes of the hour.
The rest is the welcome, the life, the remembrances, the committal — and knowing what comes next. Answer some questions about them and get the whole service, written out, with this reading in its place.
Other readings that suit the same service
- John 14:1–6, 27a minute and a halfIn my Father’s house are many mansions
- Job 19:23–2740 secondsI know that my redeemer liveth
- Romans 6:3–9a minute and a halfRaised to walk in newness of life
- Matthew 5:1–12 — the Beatitudesa minute and a halfKing James Bible
- Ruth 1:16–17a30 secondsKing James Bible
- 1 John 4:7–12a minute and a halfKing James Bible