John 11:20

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

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}.

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

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

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

John 11:20 sets the scene for one of the most poignant and powerful moments in the Gospels: the resurrection of Lazarus. This verse immediately draws a contrast between the reactions of Martha and Mary, Lazarus's sisters, upon hearing of Jesus's arrival in Bethany.

Context and Setting

This verse is situated within the profound narrative of Lazarus's death and Jesus's subsequent journey to Bethany. Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary, had fallen ill and died, despite the sisters having sent word to Jesus. By the time Jesus arrives, Lazarus has been in the tomb for four days. The village of Bethany, just outside Jerusalem, is filled with mourners. Upon hearing that Jesus, their long-awaited hope, was finally approaching, the two sisters exhibit their distinct personalities through their immediate reactions.

Key Themes and Personalities

  • Differing Responses to Grief: Martha, characterized by her active and often practical nature, immediately goes out to meet Jesus. Her action shows a proactive spirit, perhaps a mix of hope, urgency, and a desire to confront Him with her sorrow. In contrast, Mary, known for her contemplative and devotional disposition, remains "still" (or simply "sat") in the house, engrossed in her grief or perhaps overwhelmed. This distinction in their personalities is also evident in the account of their hospitality towards Jesus in Luke 10:38-42.
  • Faith and Expectation: While both sisters harbored faith in Jesus, their initial expressions of it differed. Martha's immediate departure suggests an expectation of interaction and perhaps even an appeal for intervention, leading to her powerful declaration of faith in John 11:27. Mary's quietness might indicate a deeper initial despair, or a more reserved approach to her sorrow.

Linguistic Insight

The King James Version adds the word "still" in brackets for Mary's action, indicating it's an interpretive addition to the original Greek text. The Greek word used, kathēmai (καθῆμαι), simply means "to sit" or "to remain seated." The implication that Mary "sat still" or remained in the house is understood by her not performing the action Martha did. This subtle addition by the KJV translators emphasizes her state of not going out, contrasting sharply with Martha's immediate movement, highlighting their individual responses to Jesus's arrival amidst their profound grief.

Practical Application

This verse offers a valuable insight into human nature and our varied responses to crisis and sorrow. There isn't a single "right" way to grieve or to approach difficult situations. Martha's active seeking and Mary's quiet reflection both eventually lead them to the presence of Jesus. The passage reminds us that no matter our personality or our immediate reaction to pain, our ultimate hope and comfort are found in coming to Christ. He meets us where we are, whether we rush to Him or wait for Him to come to us, and offers the promise of resurrection and life.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, 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. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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