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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
When therefore their disposition was somewhat reluctant, He said, "He is dead." The former word He spake, desiring to prove that He loved not boasting; but since they understood not, He added, "He is dead." "And I am glad for your sakes." Why "for your sakes"? "Because I have forewarned you of his death, not being there, and because when I shall raise him again, there will be no suspicion of deceit." Seest thou how the disciples were yet imperfect in their disposition, and knew not His power as they ought? …
Theophylact of Ohrid
The Lord, seeing that His disciples still did not understand Him, says directly that Lazarus "has died." Why then did He previously express Himself not directly, but in a veiled manner, calling death "sleep"? For many reasons. Firstly, out of humility, for He did not wish to appear boastful, but in a veiled manner called the resurrection an awakening from sleep. How would He have used this expression if He had not called death a sleep? …
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
He then declares His meaning openly: Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. (Tr. xlix. 11) He had been sent for to restore Lazarus from sickness, not from death. But how could the death be hid from Him, into whose hands the soul of the dead had flown?
Thomas Aquinas
1500 Then our Lord explicitly states his intention to raise him (v 14). First, he tells them that Lazarus has died, which shows his knowledge; secondly, he mentions his attitude towards his death, which shows his providence; and thirdly, he makes known his intention to go to the place where he died, which shows his compassion or mercy. …
Bonaventure
Then Jesus said to them. Here the third point is touched upon, namely the benefit to the disciples: therefore he repeats the death of Lazarus openly, because they did not grasp it when spoken obscurely. Therefore then Jesus said to them plainly: Lazarus is dead: therefore plainly, because, as is said in Matthew 13, "to you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven."
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