John 12:2

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.

Complete Jewish Bible:

so they gave a dinner there in his honor. Marta served the meal, and El‘azar was among those at the table with him.

Berean Standard Bible:

So they hosted a dinner for Jesus there. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Him.

American Standard Version:

So they made him a supper there: and Martha served; but Lazarus was one of them that sat at meat with him.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

There^{{G1563}{G3767}} they made^{G4160} him^{G846} a supper^{G1173}; and^{G2532} Martha^{G3136} served^{G1247}: but^{G1161} Lazarus^{G2976} was^{G2258} one^{G1520} of them that sat at the table^{G4873} with him^{G846}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for John 12:2

John 12:2, "There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him," is set in the context of the later part of Jesus' ministry, shortly before his crucifixion. The verse takes place in Bethany, a village near Jerusalem, and is part of a narrative that illustrates the close relationship between Jesus and the siblings Martha, Mary, and Lazarus.

In this verse, Martha is depicted serving a meal, which is consistent with her characterization in the Gospel of Luke as a woman concerned with hospitality (Luke 10:38-42). The supper is likely a gesture of gratitude and affection towards Jesus, who had recently raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-44). This miraculous event had a profound impact on the community and had intensified both the devotion of Jesus' followers and the opposition of the religious leaders.

The presence of Lazarus at the table is significant because it not only demonstrates the reality of the resurrection but also highlights the intimacy of the moment. Lazarus' resurrection had caused many to believe in Jesus (John 11:45), and his participation in this meal serves as a living testament to Jesus' power over death. The table fellowship between Jesus and Lazarus symbolizes the hope of eternal life that Jesus offers to his followers.

The themes present in this verse include hospitality, gratitude, the power of Jesus over death, and the anticipation of the coming Passion of Christ. Historically, the meal reflects the cultural norms of the time, where sharing a meal was a sign of deep friendship and communal solidarity. Theologically, this verse foreshadows the Last Supper and the Eucharistic meals that would become central to Christian worship, emphasizing Jesus' role as the host of a new covenant.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1563
   There are 98 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐκεῖ
   Transliteration: ekeî
   Pronunciation: ek-i'
   Description: of uncertain affinity; there; by extension, thither:--there, thither(-ward), (to) yonder (place).
   
2. Strong's Number: G3767
   There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὖν
   Transliteration: oûn
   Pronunciation: oon
   Description: apparently a primary word; (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly:--and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore.
   
3. Strong's Number: G4160
   There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ποιέω
   Transliteration: poiéō
   Pronunciation: poy-eh'-o
   Description: apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct):--abide, + agree, appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, + bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do(-ing), execute, exercise, fulfil, gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, + lighten the ship, make, X mean, + none of these things move me, observe, ordain, perform, provide, + have purged, purpose, put, + raising up, X secure, shew, X shoot out, spend, take, tarry, + transgress the law, work, yield. Compare πράσσω.
   
4. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
5. Strong's Number: G1173
   There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δεῖπνον
   Transliteration: deîpnon
   Pronunciation: dipe'-non
   Description: from the same as δαπάνη; dinner, i.e. the chief meal (usually in the evening):--feast, supper.
   
6. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
7. Strong's Number: G3136
   There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Μάρθα
   Transliteration: Mártha
   Pronunciation: mar'-thah
   Description: probably of Chaldee origin (meaning mistress); Martha, a Christian woman:--Martha.
   
8. Strong's Number: G1247
   There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: διακονέω
   Transliteration: diakonéō
   Pronunciation: dee-ak-on-eh'-o
   Description: from διάκονος; to be an attendant, i.e. wait upon (menially or as a host, friend, or (figuratively) teacher); technically, to act as a Christian deacon:--(ad-)minister (unto), serve, use the office of a deacon.
   
9. Strong's Number: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
10. Strong's Number: G2976
    There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: Λάζαρος
    Transliteration: Lázaros
    Pronunciation: lad'-zar-os
    Description: probably of Hebrew origin (אֶלְעָזָר); Lazarus (i.e. Elazar), the name of two Israelites (one imaginary):--Lazarus.
    
11. Strong's Number: G2258
    There are 416 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἦν
    Transliteration: ēn
    Pronunciation: ane
    Description: imperfect of εἰμί; I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were):--+ agree, be, X have (+ charge of), hold, use, was(-t), were.
    
12. Strong's Number: G1520
    There are 235 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: εἷς
    Transliteration: heîs
    Pronunciation: hice
    Description: a primary numeral; one:--a(-n, -ny, certain), + abundantly, man, one (another), only, other, some. See also εἷς καθ’ εἷς, μηδείς, μία, οὐδείς.
    
13. Strong's Number: G4873
    There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: συνανάκειμαι
    Transliteration: synanákeimai
    Pronunciation: soon-an-ak'-i-mahee
    Description: from σύν and ἀνακεῖμαι; to recline in company with (at a meal):--sit (down, at the table, together) with (at meat).