John 11:20

"Many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to console them concerning their brother."

Key Reflection

This verse highlights the communal nature of grief in Jewish culture, showing that news of Lazarus's illness quickly spread among both men and women. Their presence signifies a collective support system, where community members rallied to comfort those in mourning, reflecting the importance of social bonds and mutual care during times of bereavement.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 20. Then Martha, &c. To Martha was intrusted the management of the affairs of the family, Lu 10:40. It is probable that she first heard of his coming, and, without waiting to inform her sister, went immediately out to meet him. See Joh 11:28. Sat still in the house. The word still is not in the original. It means that she remained sitting in the house. The common posture of grief among the Jews was that of sitting, Job 2:8; Eze 8:14. Often this grief was so excessive as to fix the person in astonishment, and render him immovable, or prevent his being affected by any external objects. It is possible that the evangelist meant to intimate this of Mary's grief. Comp.

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