Albert Barnes on John 11:11

Lazarus sleepeth. Is dead. The word sleep is applied to death,

1st. Because of the resemblance between them, as sleep is the "kinsman of death." In this sense it is often used by pagan writers. But,

2nd. In the Scriptures it is used to intimate that death will not be final: that there will be an awaking out of this sleep, or a resurrection. It is a beautiful and tender expression, removing all that is dreadful in death, and filling the mind with the idea of calm repose after a life of toil, with a reference to a future resurrection in increased rigour and renovated powers. In this sense it is applied in the Scriptures usually to the saints, 1Cor 11:30, 15:51; 1Thes 4:14, 5:10, Mt 9:24.

(i) "sleepeth" De 31:16, Acts 7:60, 1Cor 15:18,51