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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 11:17-32

The matter being determined, that Christ will go to Judea, and his disciples with him, they address themselves to their journey; in this journey some circumstances happened which the other evangelists record, as the healing of the blind man at Jericho, and the conversion of Zaccheus. We must not reckon ourselves out of our way, while we are in the way of doing good; nor be so intent upon one good office as to neglect another. At length, he comes near to Bethany, which is said to be about... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 11:1-44

We have tried to expound the raising of Lazarus simply as the story stands written. But we can not evade the fact that of all the miracles of Jesus this presents the greatest problem. Let us honestly face the difficulties. (i) In the other three gospels there are accounts of people being raised from the dead. There is the story of the raising of Jairus' daughter ( Matthew 9:18-26 ; Mark 5:21-43 ; Luke 8:40-56 ). There is the story of the raising of the widow's son at Nain ( Luke... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 11:17-19

11:17-19 So, when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Bethany was near Jerusalem, less than two miles away. Many of the Jews had gone to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother. In order to visualize this scene we must first see what a Jewish house of mourning was like. Normally in Palestine, because of the climate, burial followed death as quickly as possible. There was a time when a funeral was an exceedingly costly thing. The finest... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 11:19

And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary ,.... Or "to those that were about Martha and Mary"; in order to have access to them, they came to them, and to the rest of the family; though the phrase may design them only, as the Vulgate Latin, and all the Oriental versions read: these Jews, as appears from the context, John 11:18 , came from Jerusalem, and might be some of the principal inhabitants; and it may be concluded, that these persons, Lazarus, Martha, and Mary, were people of note... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 11:19

Many of the Jews came - Bethany being so nigh to Jerusalem, many of the relatives and friends of the family came, according to the Jewish custom, to mourn with the afflicted sisters. Mourning, among the Jews, lasted about thirty days: the three first days were termed days of weeping: then followed seven of lamentation. During the three days, the mourner did no servile work; and, if any one saluted him, he did not return the salutation. During the seven days, he did no servile work, except in... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 11:19

Verse 19 19.To comfort them concerning their brother. This was, no doubt, the object which they had in view, but God had another object to accomplish, as we have stated. It is evident from what is here mentioned, that the house of Lazarus and his sisters was greatly respected and honored. Again, as it is natural that the death of friends should occasion grief and mourning to men, this duty, which the Evangelist mentions, ought not to be blamed, unless on this ground, that sinful excess, which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:1-57

7. Christ the Antagonist of death—a victory of love and power . The narrative of this chapter is a further advance in the proof that the unbelief of the Jews was aggravated by the greatness of the revelation. The issue of his sublime and culminating act of power, of his supreme and self-revealing work of transcendent tenderness and beauty, was a deeper and wilder passion of hatred. The evangelist completes his series of seven great miracles with one that in true and believing minds,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:15-21

Good in apparent evil. Notice— I. THAT ALL THE MOVEMENTS OF CHRIST ON EARTH HAD AN IMMEDIATE REGARD TO OTHERS . 1. His life on earth was purely vicarious . "For your sakes." Not only his death was vicarious, but his life was equally so. Not only he died for others, but he lived for them as well. His vicarious death was only the natural outcome of his vicarious life. All his movements, his actions, his miracles, his teaching and utterances, the fact... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:17-27

Jesus and Martha. Our Lord had at last come to the neighborhood of Bethany, but not to the village itself. I. THE CONDOLENCE OF THE JEWS WITH THE BEREAVED SISTERS . "And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary to comfort them concerning their brother." 1. This visit of sympathy implies that the family at Bethany was well known and highly respected by the Jews of Jerusalem . 2. It afforded a providential opportunity to Jesus for the working of his last... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:17-32

(2) Human affection drawing from Christ the assertion and promise , "I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE ." read more

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