John 11:19

And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

And {G2532} many {G4183} of {G1537} the Jews {G2453} came {G2064} to {G4314} Martha {G3136} and {G2532} Mary {G3137}{G4012}, to {G2443} comfort {G3888} them {G846} concerning {G4012} their {G846} brother {G80}.

and many of the Judeans had come to Marta and Miryam in order to comfort them at the loss of their brother.

and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them in the loss of their brother.

and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to console them concerning their brother.

Commentary

John 11:19 paints a poignant picture of human compassion and the deep sorrow experienced by Martha and Mary after the death of their brother, Lazarus. This verse sets the immediate scene for one of Jesus's most profound miracles.

Historical and Cultural Context

In ancient Jewish society, mourning customs were highly communal and formalized. Following a death, friends, family, and even acquaintances would visit the bereaved to offer comfort and participate in a period of intense grief, often lasting seven days (the shiva period). The presence of "many of the Jews" (Ioudaioi) at the home of Martha and Mary in Bethany highlights the family's standing in the community and the widespread respect for Lazarus. Their coming was not merely a social call but an act of empathy and solidarity, a customary demonstration of support for those experiencing loss, as the family had recently suffered the loss of Lazarus, their beloved brother.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Compassion and Solidarity: The verse powerfully illustrates the human need for comfort in times of sorrow and the importance of community support. It shows friends and neighbors fulfilling their role in weeping with those who weep.
  • Setting the Scene for Divine Intervention: This gathering of mourners creates a public stage for Jesus's impending arrival and the miraculous resurrection of Lazarus. Their collective grief underscores the hopelessness of the situation from a human perspective, thereby magnifying the power of God's intervention, which Jesus had indicated would bring glory to God.
  • Witness to the Miracle: The presence of "many of the Jews" means that when Jesus performs the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead, there will be numerous eyewitnesses to attest to its authenticity, which is crucial for John's purpose in demonstrating Jesus's divine authority.

Linguistic Insights

The term "Jews" (Greek: Ioudaioi) in John's Gospel can sometimes refer to the hostile religious authorities, but in this context, it generally denotes the people of the region who came to express sincere sympathy. Their visit was an act of genuine comfort, reflecting the communal bonds of the time. The word "comfort" (Greek: paramytheomai) implies a deep act of consolation, coming alongside someone in their grief to offer solace and encouragement.

Practical Application

John 11:19 serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of presence and empathy in times of loss. It encourages believers to:

  • Be Present: Just as the Jews came to Martha and Mary, we are called to be physically and emotionally present for those who are grieving, offering a tangible expression of care.
  • Offer Comfort: While we may not always know the "right" words, our willingness to sit with someone in their pain, to listen, and to simply be there can be a profound source of comfort. This human comfort often precedes and prepares hearts for the greater, divine comfort that only God can provide, as Jesus is about to demonstrate by declaring Himself the Resurrection and the Life.
  • Acknowledge Grief: The verse acknowledges the reality of human sorrow, even for those with faith. It shows that grief is a natural, shared experience that requires communal support.
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Job 2:11

    ¶ Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him.

  • John 11:31

    The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:11

    ¶ Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

  • 2 Corinthians 1:4

    Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:18

    Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

  • Romans 12:15

    Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

  • Lamentations 1:2

    She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears [are] on her cheeks: among all her lovers she hath none to comfort [her]: all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they are become her enemies.
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