John 11:20

KJV

Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat [still] in the house.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G3767} Martha {G3136}, as soon as {G5613} she heard {G191} that {G3754} Jesus {G2424} was coming {G2064}, went and met {G5221} him {G846}: but {G1161} Mary {G3137} sat {G2516} still in {G1722} the house {G3624}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So when Marta heard that Yeshua was coming, she went out to meet him; but Miryam continued sitting shiv‘ah in the house.

Berean Standard Bible

So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet Him; but Mary stayed at home.

American Standard Version

Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary still sat in the house.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Martha and Mary's Reactions sets the stage for the dramatic climax of Lazarus's resurrection by immediately contrasting the reactions of his two sisters, Martha and Mary, upon hearing of Jesus's long-awaited arrival in Bethany. Martha, characterized by her active and proactive nature, promptly goes out to meet the Lord, driven by a mix of hope and urgency, while Mary, known for her contemplative and perhaps more deeply sorrowful disposition, remains quietly seated within the confines of their grieving home. This verse subtly yet powerfully highlights their distinct personalities and sets the tone for their individual encounters with Jesus in the face of profound loss.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the pivotal narrative of Lazarus's death and resurrection in [John 11](/john/11 "John 11 - The Resurrection of Lazarus"). Preceding this verse, the reader learns of Lazarus's illness, the sisters' urgent message to Jesus, Jesus's deliberate delay, and Lazarus's subsequent death and burial, with four days having passed since his entombment. The atmosphere is one of profound grief and mounting expectation. Jesus's arrival, though delayed, is the catalyst for the sisters' reactions. [John 11:19](/john/11-19 "John 11:19 - Mourners with Martha and Mary") notes that many Jews had come from Jerusalem to comfort Martha and Mary, emphasizing the public nature of their sorrow and the community's presence. Verse 20 acts as a crucial transition, moving from the general scene of mourning to the specific, contrasting responses of the two sisters, preparing the reader for their individual dialogues with Jesus and the subsequent miracle.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Bethany, a village near Jerusalem, which was a common refuge and stopping point for travelers to the holy city. Jewish mourning customs of the time were elaborate and extended, typically lasting seven days (Shiva), during which friends and family would gather to comfort the bereaved. The presence of "many of the Jews" (John 11:19) underscores this cultural practice. The four-day period since Lazarus's death was significant; Jewish belief held that the soul hovered near the body for three days, but by the fourth day, decomposition would have begun, signifying that death was absolute and irreversible. This belief amplifies the magnitude of Jesus's impending miracle, as it would clearly be a resurrection from an undeniable state of death, not merely a revival from a coma. Martha's public action of going out to meet Jesus, while Mary remains in the house, also reflects cultural norms where women might receive visitors inside the home, but a more public encounter might involve going out.
* **Key Themes:** [John 11:20](/john/11-20 "John 11:20 - Martha and Mary's Reactions") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the Gospel of John and this chapter specifically. Firstly, it highlights the **diversity of human response to crisis and faith**. Martha's active, immediate engagement contrasts sharply with Mary's quiet, perhaps overwhelmed, stillness, demonstrating that genuine faith can manifest in varied ways. Secondly, it reinforces the theme of **Jesus's sovereignty over life and death**, as His arrival, though delayed, is the ultimate hope for the grieving sisters. Their differing reactions set the stage for their individual confessions of faith and Jesus's subsequent declarations, such as "I am the resurrection and the life" in [John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life"). Finally, this verse further develops the **characterization of Martha and Mary**, building upon their earlier portrayal in [Luke 10:38-42](/luke/10-38-42 "Luke 10:38-42 - Martha and Mary at Bethany"), where Martha is seen as practical and busy, while Mary is contemplative and focused on Jesus's words. This consistency in their personalities adds depth to their roles in the narrative.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **heard (Greek, _akoúō'_ G191):** This primary verb signifies the act of perceiving sound or receiving information. In this context, it emphasizes that Martha's action was a direct, immediate response to the news of Jesus's approach. It implies not just physical hearing, but an understanding and processing of the significant news that prompted her to act.
* **went and met (Greek, _hypantáō'_ G5221):** This verb describes a deliberate and active movement to encounter someone, often with the implication of going out to greet or intercept. Martha's "going out to meet" Jesus underscores her proactive nature and urgency, distinguishing her from Mary's stationary position. It suggests an intentional seeking of interaction and perhaps a desire to express her grief and questions directly.
* **sat (Greek, _kathézomai'_ G2516):** Derived from words meaning "down" and "seat," this verb simply means "to sit down" or "to remain seated." In contrast to Martha's movement, Mary's "sitting" denotes a state of rest or stillness. Coupled with "in the house," it conveys her passive, perhaps overwhelmed or deeply sorrowful, posture, indicating she did not immediately engage in the same outward action as her sister.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him:"** This clause vividly portrays Martha's characteristic energy and initiative. Upon receiving the news of Jesus's arrival, her response is immediate and decisive. She does not hesitate but actively goes out to intercept Him. This action reveals her hope, her desire for an explanation, and perhaps her readiness to appeal to Jesus, even in her grief. Her proactive approach sets a clear contrast with her sister.
* **"but Mary sat in the house."** This contrasting clause highlights Mary's distinct personality and her chosen response to the news. While Martha rushes out, Mary remains stationary within the confines of their home, perhaps absorbed in her grief, overwhelmed by sorrow, or simply more contemplative by nature. The KJV's interpretive addition of "[still]" rightly captures the essence of her inaction relative to Martha's movement, emphasizing her quiet, internal processing of the situation.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in [John 11:20](/john/11-20 "John 11:20 - Martha and Mary's Reactions") is **Contrast**. The verse deliberately juxtaposes the reactions of Martha and Mary to the same piece of news—Jesus's arrival. Martha's active "went and met him" is set against Mary's passive "sat in the house." This contrast serves to highlight their distinct personalities, which are consistent with their previous portrayal in the Gospels (e.g., [Luke 10:38-42](/luke/10-38-42 "Luke 10:38-42 - Martha and Mary at Bethany")). This immediate differentiation not only provides vivid **Characterization** but also subtly **Foreshadows** their subsequent individual interactions with Jesus, where Martha engages in a theological dialogue and Mary expresses her grief more through tears and silent devotion. The contrast also underscores the diverse ways individuals respond to crisis and the presence of the divine.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[John 11:20](/john/11-20 "John 11:20 - Martha and Mary's Reactions") beautifully illustrates the diverse ways human beings respond to profound grief and the presence of the divine. The contrasting reactions of Martha and Mary are not presented as one being "better" than the other, but rather as authentic expressions of their individual personalities and coping mechanisms. Theologically, this highlights Jesus's profound empathy and His ability to meet individuals precisely where they are, validating their unique emotional and spiritual states. He does not condemn Martha's active seeking nor Mary's quiet despair; rather, He engages with each sister according to her need, ultimately leading both to a deeper encounter with His identity as the Resurrection and the Life. This verse underscores that there is no single "right" way to approach God in times of crisis, but that genuine faith, whether expressed actively or contemplatively, always seeks His presence.

* [Luke 10:38-42](/luke/10-38-42 "Luke 10:38-42 - Martha and Mary at Bethany")
* [John 11:21-27](/john/11-21-27 "John 11:21-27 - Martha's Confession of Faith")
* [John 11:32-33](/john/11-32-33 "John 11:32-33 - Mary's Grief and Jesus's Compassion")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene in [John 11:20](/john/11-20 "John 11:20 - Martha and Mary's Reactions") offers profound insights for our own lives, particularly in moments of distress, disappointment, or grief. We often find ourselves identifying with either Martha's proactive, "do something" approach or Mary's more withdrawn, contemplative posture. This verse reminds us that both responses are valid and that Jesus meets us in our authentic selves. When faced with difficult news or unanswered prayers, are we quick to rush to Him with our questions and demands, like Martha, or do we retreat into quiet sorrow, waiting for Him to come to us, like Mary? The beauty of this narrative is that Jesus engages with both sisters, addressing their unique needs and expressions of faith. This encourages us to bring our whole selves—our active faith, our doubts, our anxieties, our quiet despair—to Christ, knowing that He understands and ministers to us individually. Our ultimate comfort and hope are found not in a prescribed method of response, but in His compassionate presence and sovereign power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I typically respond to difficult news or crises? Am I more like Martha, who immediately goes out to meet the challenge, or Mary, who remains in quiet reflection or grief?**
* **In what ways can I bring my authentic self—my active faith, my questions, my quiet despair, or my contemplative spirit—to Jesus in times of need?**
* **How does the knowledge that Jesus understands and meets us in our individual responses encourage me in my walk with Him, especially when my reaction might differ from others?**

### FAQ

**Why did Martha go out to meet Jesus, but Mary stayed in the house?**

Answer: The differing reactions of Martha and Mary in [John 11:20](/john/11-20 "John 11:20 - Martha and Mary's Reactions") are consistent with their established personalities throughout the Gospels. Martha is often portrayed as the active, practical, and somewhat anxious sister, as seen in [Luke 10:38-42](/luke/10-38-42 "Luke 10:38-42 - Martha and Mary's Hospitality"), where she is "distracted with much serving." Her immediate action of going out to meet Jesus reflects her proactive nature, her desire to engage directly, and perhaps her need for answers or intervention. Mary, on the other hand, is depicted as more contemplative, devotional, and perhaps more deeply affected by her grief. Her choice to remain "in the house" suggests a more internal processing of sorrow, or perhaps a sense of being overwhelmed, waiting for Jesus to come to her. Neither response is presented as superior; rather, they highlight the diverse ways individuals express faith and cope with loss.

**Does the KJV's addition of "[still]" for Mary's action change the meaning?**

Answer: The King James Version's inclusion of "[still]" in brackets for Mary's action ("Mary sat [still] in the house") indicates that this word is an interpretive addition by the translators, not present in the original Greek text. The Greek word used, `kathézomai` (G2516), simply means "to sit" or "to remain seated." While the addition of "still" emphasizes the contrast with Martha's active movement, it does not fundamentally alter the core meaning of Mary's stationary position. The implication that she remained in the house, not going out to meet Jesus, is clear from the context and the direct contrast with Martha's action. The KJV translators likely added it to make the contrast more explicit and to convey Mary's state of not moving from her place of grief.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[John 11:20](/john/11-20 "John 11:20 - Martha and Mary's Reactions") serves as a poignant prelude to one of Jesus's most profound self-revelations and demonstrations of divine power, ultimately pointing to His central role in God's redemptive plan. The arrival of Jesus in Bethany, met by the contrasting responses of Martha and Mary, underscores humanity's universal experience of grief and the desperate need for a Savior who can conquer death. Jesus's presence, though delayed, is the ultimate hope for the grieving sisters, foreshadowing His identity as the [Resurrection and the Life](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life"). He does not merely offer comfort but embodies the victory over death itself. This narrative prefigures His own death and resurrection, through which He would definitively overcome the power of the grave, offering eternal life to all who believe. Just as He called Lazarus from the tomb, so too will all who are in Christ be raised, a promise echoed in [Romans 8:11](/romans/8-11 "Romans 8:11 - The Spirit of Him who raised Jesus"). The differing responses of Martha and Mary, both seeking Jesus in their unique ways, highlight that Christ is the one who meets humanity in all its brokenness and brings the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise of life, triumphing over sin and death, as celebrated in [1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54-57 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory over Death").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Thessalonians 4:17

Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Luke 10:38

¶ Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

Luke 10:42

But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

John 11:30

Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.

Acts 28:15

And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

Acts 10:25

And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped [him].

Matthew 25:1

¶ Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.