• John 11:39
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 39 λέγει Is saying ὁ the Ἰησοῦς Jesus Ἄρατε Lift up YOU τὸν the λίθον. stone. λέγει Is saying αὐτῷ to him ἡ the ἀδελφὴ sister τοῦ of the (one) τετελευτηκότος having deceased Μάρθα Martha Κύριε, Lord, ἤδη already ὄζει, he is smelling, τεταρταῖος fourth [day] γάρ for ἐστιν. is.

  • John 11:39
    American Standard Version

    • 39 Jesus saith, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time the body decayeth; for he hath been dead four days.

  • John 11:39
    King James Version

    • 39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.

  • John Study Notes—Chapter 11
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 11:39

      by now he must smell: Martha’s comment shows that Jewish custom did not involve an elaborate embalming process designed to preserve the body for a long time. She would not have expected the body to smell if Lazarus had actually been embalmed. Lazarus’ feet and hands were bound with wrappings and “his face was wrapped with a cloth,” but most likely not with the intention of preserving his body from decay.​—Joh 11:44.

      it has been four days: Lit., “it is fourth.” The Greek word is simply an ordinal number, with “day” being understood from the context. Apparently three full days plus a portion of a fourth day had passed.