Farewell Service

Hymns, readings and a printed program for a Christian funeral

John 11:17–27

A Catholic funeral reading (Gospel), with the full text in the King James Version and the Douay-Rheims.

Reads in about 1 minute11 versesCatholic: Gospel

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King James Version

  1. 17Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.
  2. 18Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:
  3. 19And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
  4. 20Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
  5. 21Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
  6. 22But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
  7. 23Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
  8. 24Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
  9. 25Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
  10. 26And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
  11. 27She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

Douay-Rheims

  1. 17Jesus therefore came: and found that he had been four days already in the grave.
  2. 18(Now Bethania was near Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off.)
  3. 19And many of the Jews were come to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
  4. 20Martha therefore, as soon as she heard that Jesus was come, went to meet him: but Mary sat at home.
  5. 21Martha therefore said to Jesus: Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
  6. 22But now also I know that whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
  7. 23Jesus saith to her: Thy brother shall rise again.
  8. 24Martha saith to him: I know that he shall rise again, in the resurrection at the last day.
  9. 25Jesus said to her: I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, although he be dead, shall live:
  10. 26And every one that liveth and believeth in me shall not die for ever. Believest thou this?
  11. 27She saith to him: Yea, Lord, I have believed that thou art Christ, the Son of the living God, who art come into this world.

Most Catholic parishes in the US read the New American Bible. Read John 11 in the NABRE at usccb.org.

Where this reading is used

  • Catholic: Gospel (Lectionary for Mass, no. 1016)
  • Protestant: a common funeral reading

Scripture: King James Version (1769 text) and Douay-Rheims Bible, Challoner revision (Project Gutenberg #1581); both public domain. Citation as listed in the Lectionary for Mass.