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Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. <a href="/nlt/john/12.htm">New Living Translation</a> A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him. <a href="/esv/john/12.htm">English Standard Version</a> So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. <a href="/bsb/john/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> So they hosted a dinner for Jesus there. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Him. <a href="/blb/john/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Therefore they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with Him. <a href="/kjv/john/12.htm">King James Bible</a> There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. <a href="/nkjv/john/12.htm">New King James Version</a> There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. <a href="/nasb_/john/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> So they made Him a dinner there, and Martha was serving; and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. <a href="/nasb/john/12.htm">NASB 1995</a> So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; but Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. <a href="/nasb77/john/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a> So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; but Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. <a href="/lsb/john/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. <a href="/amp/john/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a> So they gave a supper for Him there. Martha was serving, and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. <a href="/csb/john/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> So they gave a dinner for him there; Martha was serving them, and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with him. <a href="/hcsb/john/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> So they gave a dinner for Him there; Martha was serving them, and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. <a href="/asv/john/12.htm">American Standard Version</a> So they made him a supper there: and Martha served; but Lazarus was one of them that sat at meat with him. <a href="/cev/john/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> A meal had been prepared for Jesus. Martha was doing the serving, and Lazarus himself was there. <a href="/erv/john/12.htm">English Revised Version</a> So they made him a supper there: and Martha served; but Lazarus was one of them that sat at meat with him. <a href="/gwt/john/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Dinner was prepared for Jesus in Bethany. Martha served the dinner, and Lazarus was one of the people eating with Jesus. <a href="/gnt/john/12.htm">Good News Translation</a> They prepared a dinner for him there, which Martha helped serve; Lazarus was one of those who were sitting at the table with Jesus. <a href="/isv/john/12.htm">International Standard Version</a> There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. <a href="/msb/john/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> So they hosted a dinner for Jesus there. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Him. <a href="/net/john/12.htm">NET Bible</a> So they prepared a dinner for Jesus there. Martha was serving, and Lazarus was among those present at the table with him. <a href="/nheb/john/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> So they prepared a dinner for him there; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with him. <a href="/wbt/john/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. <a href="/wey/john/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> So they gave a dinner there in honour of Jesus, at which Martha waited at table, but Lazarus was one of the guests who were with Him. <a href="/web/john/12.htm">World English Bible</a> So they made him a supper there. Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with him. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> they made, therefore, a dinner to Him there, and Martha was ministering, and Lazarus was one of those reclining together with Him; <a href="/blb/john/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Therefore they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with Him. <a href="/ylt/john/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> they made, therefore, to him a supper there, and Martha was ministering, and Lazarus was one of those reclining together (at meat) with him; <a href="/slt/john/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Then made they him a supper there, and Martha served; and Lazarus was one of them reclining at table with him.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And they made him a supper there: and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that were at table with him. <a href="/cpdv/john/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And they made a dinner for him there. And Martha was ministering. And truly, Lazarus was one of those who were sitting at table with him. <a href="/nabre/john/12.htm">New American Bible</a> They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served, while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him. <a href="/nrsvce/john/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And they gave him a banquet there; Martha served; but Lazarus was one of the guests who were with him. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/12.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And they made a supper for him there and Martha was serving and Lazar was one of the guests with him.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/12.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> There they made him a supper, and Martha served; but Lazarus was one of those who reclined at table with him.<CM> <a href="/godbey/john/12.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Then they made a supper for Him there: and Martha was serving; and Lazarus was one of those sitting at the table with Him. <a href="/haweis/john/12.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Therefore they made him a supper there; and Martha waited: but Lazarus was one of those who sat at table with him. <a href="/mace/john/12.htm">Mace New Testament</a> there a supper was provided for him; Martha was in waiting: but Lazarus was one of the guests that sat at table with him. <a href="/wey/john/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> So they gave a dinner there in honour of Jesus, at which Martha waited at table, but Lazarus was one of the guests who were with Him. <a href="/worrell/john/12.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> They, therefore, made Him a supper there; and Martha was serving; but Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with Him. <a href="/worsley/john/12.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Therefore they made Him a supper there, and Martha waited at table, but Lazarus was one of them that sat down with Him. <a href="/parallel/john/12-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=4331" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/12.htm">Mary Anoints Jesus</a> 1Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, the hometown of Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. 2<a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.">So</a> <a href="/greek/4160.htm" title="4160: epoiēsan (V-AIA-3P) -- (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.">they hosted</a> <a href="/greek/1173.htm" title="1173: deipnon (N-ANS) -- A dinner, an afternoon or evening meal. From the same as dapane; dinner, i.e. The chief meal.">a dinner</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">for Jesus</a> <a href="/greek/1563.htm" title="1563: ekei (Adv) -- (a) there, yonder, in that place, (b) thither, there. Of uncertain affinity; there; by extension, thither.">there.</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3136.htm" title="3136: Martha (N-NFS) -- Martha, sister of Mary and Lazarus of Bethany. Probably of Chaldee origin; Martha, a Christian woman.">Martha</a> <a href="/greek/1247.htm" title="1247: diēkonei (V-IIA-3S) -- From diakonos; to be an attendant, i.e. Wait upon (figuratively) teacher; technically, to act as a Christian deacon.">served,</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">and</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2976.htm" title="2976: Lazaros (N-NMS) -- Probably of Hebrew origin; Lazarus, the name of two Israelites.">Lazarus</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ēn (V-IIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">was</a> <a href="/greek/1520.htm" title="1520: heis (Adj-NMS) -- One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.">among</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">those</a> <a href="/greek/345.htm" title="345: anakeimenōn (V-PPM/P-GMP) -- To recline, especially at a dinner-table. From ana and keimai; to recline.">reclining at the table</a> <a href="/greek/4862.htm" title="4862: syn (Prep) -- With. A primary preposition denoting union; with or together.">with</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">Him.</a> 3Then Mary took about a pint of expensive perfume, made of pure nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/john/11-43.htm">John 11:43-44</a> After Jesus had said this, He called out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” / The man who had been dead came out with his hands and feet bound in strips of linen, and his face wrapped in a cloth. “Unwrap him and let him go,” Jesus told them. <a href="/luke/10-38.htm">Luke 10:38-42</a> As they traveled along, Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. / She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to His message. / But Martha was distracted by all the preparations to be made. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me!” ... <a href="/mark/14-3.htm">Mark 14:3-9</a> While Jesus was in Bethany reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke open the jar and poured it on Jesus’ head. / Some of those present, however, expressed their indignation to one another: “Why this waste of perfume? / It could have been sold for over three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her. ... <a href="/matthew/26-6.htm">Matthew 26:6-13</a> While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, / a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He reclined at the table. / When the disciples saw this, they were indignant and asked, “Why this waste? ... <a href="/john/11-1.htm">John 11:1-2</a> At this time a man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. / (Mary, whose brother Lazarus was sick, was to anoint the Lord with perfume and wipe His feet with her hair.) <a href="/john/11-5.htm">John 11:5</a> Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. <a href="/john/11-20.htm">John 11:20-21</a> So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet Him, but Mary stayed at home. / Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. <a href="/john/11-31.htm">John 11:31-32</a> When the Jews who were in the house consoling Mary saw how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. / When Mary came to Jesus and saw Him, she fell at His feet and said, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” <a href="/john/11-45.htm">John 11:45-46</a> Therefore many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in Him. / But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. <a href="/john/11-55.htm">John 11:55-57</a> Now the Jewish Passover was near, and many people went up from the country to Jerusalem to purify themselves before the Passover. / They kept looking for Jesus and asking one another as they stood in the temple courts, “What do you think? Will He come to the feast at all?” / But the chief priests and Pharisees had given orders that anyone who knew where He was must report it, so that they could arrest Him. <a href="/luke/7-36.htm">Luke 7:36-38</a> Then one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to eat with him, and He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. / When a sinful woman from that town learned that Jesus was dining there, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume. / As she stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears and wipe them with her hair. Then she kissed His feet and anointed them with the perfume. <a href="/matthew/9-10.htm">Matthew 9:10</a> Later, as Jesus was dining at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with Him and His disciples. <a href="/mark/2-15.htm">Mark 2:15</a> While Jesus was dining at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with Him and His disciples—for there were many who followed Him. <a href="/luke/5-29.htm">Luke 5:29</a> Then Levi hosted a great banquet for Jesus at his house. A large crowd of tax collectors was there, along with others who were eating with them. <a href="/psalms/23-5.htm">Psalm 23:5</a> You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.they made.<a href="/songs/4-16.htm">Song of Solomon 4:16</a> Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.<a href="/songs/5-1.htm">Song of Solomon 5:1</a> I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.<a href="/luke/5-29.htm">Luke 5:29</a> And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.Martha.<a href="/matthew/26-6.htm">Matthew 26:6</a> Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,<a href="/mark/14-3.htm">Mark 14:3</a> And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.<a href="/luke/10-38.htm">Luke 10:38-42</a> 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… Lazarus.<a href="/john/12-9.htm">John 12:9,10</a> Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead… <a href="/john/11-43.htm">John 11:43,44</a> And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/20-46.htm">Dinner</a> <a href="/john/2-10.htm">Guests</a> <a href="/john/8-54.htm">Honor</a> <a href="/john/8-54.htm">Honour</a> <a href="/john/12-1.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/john/12-1.htm">Lazarus</a> <a href="/john/11-39.htm">Martha</a> <a href="/john/6-7.htm">Meal</a> <a href="/john/6-55.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/luke/22-27.htm">Ministering</a> <a href="/john/6-11.htm">Reclining</a> <a href="/john/11-20.htm">Sat</a> <a href="/john/8-2.htm">Seated</a> <a href="/luke/15-29.htm">Served</a> <a href="/luke/15-29.htm">Serving</a> <a href="/luke/22-20.htm">Supper</a> <a href="/luke/24-30.htm">Table</a> <a href="/john/11-53.htm">Together</a> <a href="/luke/23-51.htm">Waited</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_corinthians/10-27.htm">Dinner</a> <a href="/acts/10-23.htm">Guests</a> <a href="/john/12-26.htm">Honor</a> <a href="/john/12-26.htm">Honour</a> <a href="/john/12-3.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/john/12-10.htm">Lazarus</a> <a href="/luke/10-38.htm">Martha</a> <a href="/john/13-2.htm">Meal</a> <a href="/john/13-12.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/acts/13-2.htm">Ministering</a> <a href="/john/13-23.htm">Reclining</a> <a href="/john/12-14.htm">Sat</a> <a href="/john/12-15.htm">Seated</a> <a href="/john/13-2.htm">Served</a> <a href="/acts/6-1.htm">Serving</a> <a href="/john/13-2.htm">Supper</a> <a href="/john/13-4.htm">Table</a> <a href="/john/12-10.htm">Together</a> <a href="/acts/3-5.htm">Waited</a><div class="vheading2">John 12</div>1. <a href="/john/12-1.htm">Jesus excuses Mary anointing his feet.</a> 9. <a href="/john/12-9.htm">The people flock to see Lazarus.</a> 10. <a href="/john/12-10.htm">The chief priests consult to kill him.</a> 12. <a href="/john/12-12.htm">Jesus rides into Jerusalem.</a> 20. <a href="/john/12-20.htm">Greeks desire to see Jesus.</a> 23. <a href="/john/12-23.htm">He foretells his death.</a> 37. <a href="/john/12-37.htm">The people are generally blinded;</a> 42. <a href="/john/12-42.htm">yet many chief rulers believe, but do not confess him;</a> 44. <a href="/john/12-44.htm">therefore Jesus calls earnestly for confession of faith.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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This event takes place in Bethany, a village near Jerusalem, known as the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Hosting a dinner for Jesus signifies a gesture of honor and gratitude, especially following the miraculous raising of Lazarus from the dead (John 11). In Jewish culture, hosting a meal was a significant act of hospitality and fellowship, often used to honor a guest. This dinner also foreshadows the Last Supper, highlighting the importance of communal meals in Jesus' ministry.Martha served, Martha is consistently portrayed in the Gospels as a diligent and hospitable woman, often taking on the role of serving (<a href="/luke/10-38.htm">Luke 10:38-42</a>). Her service here reflects her character and dedication to Jesus. This act of service is emblematic of Christian discipleship, emphasizing the importance of serving others as a form of worship and devotion to Christ.and Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Him. Lazarus, recently raised from the dead by Jesus, is now a living testimony to Jesus' power over death. Reclining at the table was a common practice in Jewish and Greco-Roman culture during meals, indicating a relaxed and intimate setting. Lazarus' presence at the table symbolizes the new life believers have in Christ and serves as a foreshadowing of the resurrection hope for all who believe. This scene also prefigures the eschatological banquet in the Kingdom of God, where believers will dine with Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> Central figure of the New Testament, the Son of God, who is being honored with a dinner. 2. <a href="/topical/m/martha.htm">Martha</a> Sister of Lazarus and Mary, known for her service and hospitality, as seen in this passage where she serves the meal. 3. <a href="/topical/l/lazarus.htm">Lazarus</a> Recently raised from the dead by Jesus, he is present at the dinner, symbolizing the power of Jesus over death. 4. <a href="/topical/m/mary.htm">Mary</a> Although not mentioned in this specific verse, she is part of the household and plays a significant role in the following verses. 5. <a href="/topical/b/bethany.htm">Bethany</a> The village where this event takes place, located near Jerusalem, and the home of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_service.htm">The Importance of Service</a> Martha's role in serving the meal highlights the value of service in the Christian life. Serving others is a practical expression of love and hospitality. <a href="/topical/f/fellowship_with_jesus.htm">Fellowship with Jesus</a> Lazarus reclining at the table with Jesus symbolizes the intimate fellowship believers are invited to have with Christ. It is a reminder of the relational aspect of our faith. <a href="/topical/w/witness_to_jesus'_power.htm">Witness to Jesus' Power</a> Lazarus' presence is a testament to Jesus' miraculous power and serves as a witness to others. Our lives should similarly testify to the transformative power of Christ. <a href="/topical/b/balancing_service_and_worship.htm">Balancing Service and Worship</a> While Martha serves, Mary later anoints Jesus, illustrating the balance between active service and worshipful devotion. Both are essential aspects of a healthy spiritual life.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 12</a> <a href="/q/does_life_continue_after_death.htm">Does life continue after death?</a> <a href="/q/how_did_mary_show_devotion_to_jesus.htm">How did Mary of Bethany show devotion to Jesus?</a> <a href="/q/what's_the_essence_of_god's_love.htm">What occurred to Lazarus post-resurrection?</a> <a href="/q/what_happened_to_lazarus_after_rising.htm">What occurred to Lazarus post-resurrection?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) There they made him a supper.--Comp. Notes on <a href="/matthew/26-6.htm" title="Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,">Matthew 26:6</a> et seq., and <a href="/mark/14-3.htm" title="And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she broke the box, and poured it on his head.">Mark 14:3</a> et seq., which are clearly accounts of the same supper. Here the details peculiar to St. John, who was an eyewitness, will be noted. St. Matthew gives no indication of the day. St. Mark seems to place it two days before the Passover; but comp. Notes on <a href="/context/mark/16-1.htm" title="And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.">Mark 16:1-2</a>. Both the other accounts tell us that the supper was in the house of Simon the leper. St. John docs not define the place more definitely than to say that it was in Bethany; but he alone adds the facts that Martha was still serving, and that Lazarus was present as a guest.And Martha served.--The tense of this verb differs from that of the others in the verse, and implies the continued act of serving, whilst "made a feast" is the statement of the fact as a whole. (Comp. <a href="/luke/10-40.htm" title="But Martha was encumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.">Luke 10:40</a>.)Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.--This is a natural touch answering to the impression that the fact made. It is closely connected with the statement of the preceding verse, "Lazarus had been dead, whom he raised from the dead." Here was one sitting at meat with them who had lain in the sepulchre four days. The meal is in his case, as afterwards in that of our Lord Himself (<a href="/context/luke/24-41.htm" title="And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said to them, Have you here any meat?">Luke 24:41-43</a>), a physical proof of the Resurrection; and his presence by the side of our Lord calls forth from Mary the anointing, which testifies to her gratitude and love. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 2. - There, therefore, they made him a supper, and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. John does not tell us in whose house "they made the dinner" or supper, and unless Simon the leper (<a href="/matthew/26-6.htm">Matthew 26:6</a> and <a href="/mark/14-3.htm">Mark 14:3</a>) is a member of the family (or, as some suggest, the husband of Martha), we cannot suppose that it was in the quiet home of Bethany that this feast in honor of Jesus was held, but that it took place, as the synoptists positively declare, "in the house of Simon the leper." Simon may easily have been one of the many lepers whom our Lord had healed, and whose soul was filled with accordant gratitude. At that table there would be seated two transcendent; proofs of the power of Jesus to save, not only from the semblance but from the reality of death (see Meyer; <a href="/matthew/26-6.htm">Matthew 26:6</a>). We wonder, with Godet, that Meyer should reject this simple supposition as "spurious harmony." All that is here stated is in agreement with it: (1) that Martha should have shown her reverence by serving her Lord, according to her wont, not necessarily as hostess (Hengstenberg and Lange), but as the expression of her devoted thankfulness; (2) that Lazarus should have been one of those who sat at meat, reclined at table, with him, i.e. took a position as a guest, like himself; and (3) that Mary should have poured forth her costly spikenard, in royal self-forgetting love. The conduct of all the three thus mentioned is compatible with the fact stated in the synoptic narrative, that the festival was celebrated in the house of Simon the leper. Our Lord had commented, in the house of Simon the Pharisee (<a href="/luke/7-44.htm">Luke 7:44</a>, etc.), on the absence of the customary anointing with oil. Mary knew of this, and resolved that, whatever the woman who was a sinner had done, no similar act of neglect should occur on that memorable evening. A chronological discrepancy renders an identification of the synoptic narrative of Matthew with this story perplexing. In <a href="/matthew/26-2.htm">Matthew 26:2</a> we are brought to within two days of the Passover, whereas here we cannot well be less than five days before it. However, there is nothing in <a href="/matthew/26-6.htm">Matthew 26:6-13</a> which indubitably declares the date of the supper The "two days" may refer to the date of Judas's treachery, after mentioning which he goes back to an event which furnished occasion and temptation to the avaricious mind of Judas. <a href="/commentaries/john/12-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>So οὖν (oun) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3767.htm">Strong's 3767: </a> Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly. they hosted ἐποίησαν (epoiēsan) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4160.htm">Strong's 4160: </a> (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do. a dinner δεῖπνον (deipnon) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1173.htm">Strong's 1173: </a> A dinner, an afternoon or evening meal. From the same as dapane; dinner, i.e. The chief meal. for [Jesus] αὐτῷ (autō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. there. ἐκεῖ (ekei) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_1563.htm">Strong's 1563: </a> (a) there, yonder, in that place, (b) thither, there. Of uncertain affinity; there; by extension, thither. Martha Μάρθα (Martha) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3136.htm">Strong's 3136: </a> Martha, sister of Mary and Lazarus of Bethany. Probably of Chaldee origin; Martha, a Christian woman. served, διηκόνει (diēkonei) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1247.htm">Strong's 1247: </a> From diakonos; to be an attendant, i.e. Wait upon (figuratively) teacher; technically, to act as a Christian deacon. and δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. Lazarus Λάζαρος (Lazaros) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2976.htm">Strong's 2976: </a> Probably of Hebrew origin; Lazarus, the name of two Israelites. was ἦν (ēn) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. among εἷς (heis) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1520.htm">Strong's 1520: </a> One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one. those τῶν (tōn) Article - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. reclining at the table ἀνακειμένων (anakeimenōn) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_345.htm">Strong's 345: </a> To recline, especially at a dinner-table. From ana and keimai; to recline. with σὺν (syn) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_4862.htm">Strong's 4862: </a> With. A primary preposition denoting union; with or together. Him. αὐτῷ (autō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/12-2.htm">John 12:2 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/12-2.htm">John 12:2 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/12-2.htm">John 12:2 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/12-2.htm">John 12:2 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/12-2.htm">John 12:2 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/12-2.htm">John 12:2 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/12-2.htm">John 12:2 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/12-2.htm">John 12:2 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/12-2.htm">John 12:2 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/12-2.htm">John 12:2 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/12-2.htm">NT Gospels: John 12:2 So they made him a supper there (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/12-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 12:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 12:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/12-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 12:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 12:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>