Contradiction with Mark 5:39
While John 11:12 refers to death as sleep when Lazarus' disciples misunderstand, Mark 5:39 uses the same metaphor when Jesus declares a dead girl is only sleeping, indicating death's temporary nature.
Mark 5:39: And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.
Contradiction with John 11:13
John 11:12 expresses the disciples' misunderstanding of "sleep" as literal rest, whereas John 11:13 clarifies Jesus spoke of Lazarus' death, contradicting their interpretation.
John 11:13: Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
Contradiction with 1 Thessalonians 4:14
John 11:12 presents a misunderstanding of death as sleep, while 1 Thessalonians 4:14 equates sleep directly with death in the context of resurrection belief.
1 Thessalonians 4:14: For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
Contradiction with Matthew 9:24
Christ describing the sleeping girl as dead contradicts the disciple's misunderstanding in John 11:12 of sleep as natural rest.
Matthew 9:24: He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.
Contradiction with Daniel 12:2
"Sleep in the dust" metaphorically represents death and awakening to eternal destiny, contrasting the disciples' literal sleep interpretation in John 11:12.
Daniel 12:2: And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame [and] everlasting contempt.