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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 11:20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet Him; but Mary stayed at home.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/11-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/43_Jhn_11_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 11:20 - Jesus Comforts Martha and Mary" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet Him; but Mary stayed at home." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/john/11-20.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/john/11-20.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/john/">John</a> > <a href="/john/11.htm">Chapter 11</a> > Verse 20</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad20.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/john/11-19.htm" title="John 11:19">◄</a> John 11:20 <a href="/john/11-21.htm" title="John 11:21">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/john/11.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/john/11.htm">New International Version</a> When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. <a href="/nlt/john/11.htm">New Living Translation</a> When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. But Mary stayed in the house. <a href="/esv/john/11.htm">English Standard Version</a> So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. <a href="/bsb/john/11.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet Him, but Mary stayed at home. <a href="/blb/john/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Therefore Martha, when she heard that Jesus is coming, met Him; but Mary was sitting in the house. <a href="/kjv/john/11.htm">King James Bible</a> Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. <a href="/nkjv/john/11.htm">New King James Version</a> Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. <a href="/nasb_/john/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> So then Martha, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet Him, but Mary stayed in the house. <a href="/nasb/john/11.htm">NASB 1995</a> Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet Him, but Mary stayed at the house. <a href="/nasb77/john/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet Him; but Mary still sat in the house. <a href="/lsb/john/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. <a href="/amp/john/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a> So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet Him, while Mary remained sitting in the house. <a href="/csb/john/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> As soon as Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him, but Mary remained seated in the house. <a href="/hcsb/john/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> As soon as Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet Him. But Mary remained seated in the house. <a href="/asv/john/11.htm">American Standard Version</a> Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary still sat in the house. <a href="/cev/john/11.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> When Martha heard that Jesus had arrived, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed in the house. <a href="/erv/john/11.htm">English Revised Version</a> Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary still sat in the house. <a href="/gwt/john/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. Mary stayed at home. <a href="/gnt/john/11.htm">Good News Translation</a> When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed in the house. <a href="/isv/john/11.htm">International Standard Version</a> As soon as Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. <a href="/net/john/11.htm">NET Bible</a> So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary was sitting in the house. <a href="/nheb/john/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Then when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary stayed in the house. <a href="/wbt/john/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat in the house. <a href="/wey/john/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Martha, however, as soon as she heard the tidings, "Jesus is coming," went to meet Him; but Mary remained sitting in the house.<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/john/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet Him, but Mary stayed at home. <a href="/web/john/11.htm">World English Bible</a> Then when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary stayed in the house. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Martha, therefore, when she heard that Jesus comes, met Him, and Mary kept sitting in the house. <a href="/blb/john/11.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Therefore Martha, when she heard that Jesus is coming, met Him; but Mary was sitting in the house. <a href="/ylt/john/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Martha, therefore, when she heard that Jesus doth come, met him, and Mary kept sitting in the house. <a href="/slt/john/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Then Martha, when she heard that Jesus comes, met him: and Mary sat in the house.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Martha therefore, as soon as she heard that Jesus had come, went to meet him: but Mary sat at home. <a href="/cpdv/john/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Therefore, Martha, when she heard that Jesus was arriving, went out to meet him. But Mary was sitting at home. <a href="/nabre/john/11.htm">New American Bible</a> When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home. <a href="/nrsvce/john/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> When Martha heard that Jesus had come, she went out to meet him; but Mary sat in the house. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/11.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But when Martha heard that Yeshua had come, she went out to meet him; but Maryam was sitting in the house.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/11.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Then Martha, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went out to meet him; but Mary sat still in the house. <a href="/godbey/john/11.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Then Martha, when she heard that Jesus comes, went to meet Him: and Mary sat in the house. <a href="/haweis/john/11.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Then Martha, when she heard that Jesus was coming, met him: but Mary sat in the house. <a href="/mace/john/11.htm">Mace New Testament</a> Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet him: but Mary stay'd at home. <a href="/wey/john/11.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Martha, however, as soon as she heard the tidings, "Jesus is coming," went to meet Him; but Mary remained sitting in the house. <a href="/worrell/john/11.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Martha, therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, met Him; but Mary was sitting in the house. <a href="/worsley/john/11.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Therefore Martha, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet Him: but Mary was sitting in the house. <a href="/parallel/john/11-20.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=4001" 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/11.htm">Jesus Comforts Martha and Mary</a> …19and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them in the loss of their brother. 20<a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.">So</a> <a href="/greek/5613.htm" title="5613: hōs (Adv) -- Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.">when</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/191.htm" title="191: ēkousen (V-AIA-3S) -- To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.">heard</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">that</a> <a href="/greek/2424.htm" title="2424: Iēsous (N-NMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.">Jesus</a> <a href="/greek/2064.htm" title="2064: erchetai (V-PIM/P-3S) -- To come, go. ">was coming,</a> <a href="/greek/5221.htm" title="5221: hypēntēsen (V-AIA-3S) -- To meet, go to meet. From hupo and a derivative of anti; to go opposite under, i.e. To encounter, fall in with.">she went out to meet</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> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">but</a> <a href="/greek/3137.htm" title="3137: Mariam (N-NFS) -- Or Mariam of Hebrew origin; Maria or Mariam, the name of six Christian females.">Mary</a> <a href="/greek/2516.htm" title="2516: ekathezeto (V-IIM/P-3S) -- To be sitting, sit down, be seated. From kata and the base of hedraios; to sit down.">stayed</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">at</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3624.htm" title="3624: oikō (N-DMS) -- A dwelling; by implication, a family.">home.</a> 21Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.…<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="/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="/john/20-1.htm">John 20:1-2</a> Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. / So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb,” she said, “and we do not know where they have put Him!” <a href="/john/19-25.htm">John 19:25</a> Near the cross of Jesus stood His mother and her sister, as well as Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene. <a href="/john/12-1.htm">John 12:1-3</a> Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, the hometown of Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. / So they hosted a dinner for Jesus there. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Him. / Then 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. <a href="/luke/8-2.htm">Luke 8:2</a> as well as some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, <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="/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="/john/1-40.htm">John 1:40-42</a> Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John’s testimony and followed Jesus. / He first found his brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated as Christ). / Andrew brought him to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which is translated as Peter). <a href="/john/4-28.htm">John 4:28-30</a> Then the woman left her water jar, went back into the town, and said to the people, / “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” / So they left the town and made their way toward Jesus. <a href="/john/20-11.htm">John 20:11-18</a> But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent down to look into the tomb, / and she saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and the other at the feet. / “Woman, why are you weeping?” they asked. “Because they have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I do not know where they have put Him.” ... <a href="/luke/24-10.htm">Luke 24:10</a> It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. <a href="/matthew/27-55.htm">Matthew 27:55-56</a> And many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to minister to Him. / Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons. <a href="/mark/15-40.htm">Mark 15:40-41</a> And there were also women watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. / These women had followed Jesus and ministered to Him while He was in Galilee, and there were many other women who had come up to Jerusalem with Him. <a href="/acts/1-14.htm">Acts 1:14</a> With one accord they all continued in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. <a href="/acts/12-12.htm">Acts 12:12</a> And when he had realized this, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered together and were praying.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.as soon.<a href="/john/11-30.htm">John 11:30</a> Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.<a href="/matthew/25-1.htm">Matthew 25:1,6</a> Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom… <a href="/acts/10-25.htm">Acts 10:25</a> And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/11-6.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/john/9-7.htm">Home</a> <a href="/john/8-38.htm">House</a> <a href="/john/11-13.htm">However</a> <a href="/john/11-17.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/john/10-24.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/john/11-19.htm">Martha</a> <a href="/john/11-19.htm">Mary</a> <a href="/luke/22-10.htm">Meet</a> <a href="/john/4-51.htm">Met</a> <a href="/john/11-6.htm">News</a> <a href="/john/9-8.htm">Sat</a> <a href="/john/9-8.htm">Sitting</a> <a href="/john/4-1.htm">Soon</a> <a href="/luke/16-16.htm">Tidings</a> <a href="/john/10-23.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/11-29.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/john/14-23.htm">Home</a> <a href="/john/11-31.htm">House</a> <a href="/john/11-38.htm">However</a> <a href="/john/11-21.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/john/11-37.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/john/11-21.htm">Martha</a> <a href="/john/11-28.htm">Mary</a> <a href="/john/11-30.htm">Meet</a> <a href="/john/11-30.htm">Met</a> <a href="/john/11-46.htm">News</a> <a href="/john/12-2.htm">Sat</a> <a href="/john/12-15.htm">Sitting</a> <a href="/john/11-29.htm">Soon</a> <a href="/acts/5-42.htm">Tidings</a> <a href="/john/11-28.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">John 11</div>1. <a href="/john/11-1.htm">Jesus raises Lazarus, four days buried.</a> 45. <a href="/john/11-45.htm">Many Jews believe.</a> 47. <a href="/john/11-47.htm">The high priests and Pharisees gather a council against Jesus.</a> 49. <a href="/john/11-49.htm">Caiaphas prophesies.</a> 54. <a href="/john/11-54.htm">Jesus hides himself.</a> 55. <a href="/john/11-55.htm">At the Passover they enquire after him, and lay wait for him.</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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/11.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/11.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming Martha's immediate response upon hearing of Jesus' approach reflects her proactive nature, as seen in other Gospel accounts (<a href="/luke/10-38.htm">Luke 10:38-42</a>). Her eagerness to meet Jesus demonstrates her faith and hope in His power, even in the face of her brother Lazarus's death. This action can be seen as a reflection of the Jewish custom of going out to meet a respected teacher or rabbi. The anticipation of Jesus' arrival also highlights the close relationship between Jesus and the family of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, who lived in Bethany, a village near Jerusalem (<a href="/john/11.htm">John 11:1</a>).she went out to meet Him Martha's decision to go out to meet Jesus signifies her active faith and willingness to seek Him in times of distress. This act of going out can be seen as a metaphor for seeking divine intervention and comfort. It also reflects the cultural practice of showing hospitality and respect by meeting guests before they reach one's home. Martha's actions contrast with those of her sister Mary, indicating different ways of expressing faith and grief.but Mary stayed at home Mary's choice to remain at home may indicate a different expression of grief or a contemplative nature, as seen in her previous interactions with Jesus (<a href="/luke/10-39.htm">Luke 10:39</a>). This contrast between Martha and Mary highlights the individuality in their responses to Jesus' presence and the situation at hand. It also sets the stage for Mary's later encounter with Jesus, where she expresses her sorrow and faith in a more emotional manner (<a href="/john/11-32.htm">John 11:32</a>). The cultural context of mourning, where family members would stay at home to receive comforters, may also explain Mary's initial decision to stay.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/m/martha.htm">Martha</a> The sister of Mary and Lazarus, known for her active and service-oriented nature. In this passage, she demonstrates her proactive faith by going out to meet Jesus. 2. <a href="/topical/m/mary.htm">Mary</a> The sister of Martha and Lazarus, known for her contemplative and reflective nature. She remains seated in the house, possibly indicating a different approach to grief and faith. 3. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> The central figure of the Gospel, whose arrival brings hope and the promise of resurrection. His coming is a pivotal moment in the account. 4. <a href="/topical/l/lazarus.htm">Lazarus</a> The brother of Mary and Martha, whose death and subsequent resurrection by Jesus is the central event of <a href="/bsb/john/11.htm">John 11</a>. 5. <a href="/topical/b/bethany.htm">Bethany</a> The village where Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived, located near Jerusalem. It serves as the setting for this significant miracle.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/a/active_faith_vs._contemplative_faith.htm">Active Faith vs. Contemplative Faith</a> Martha's action in going to meet Jesus contrasts with Mary's stillness. Both responses have value and reflect different aspects of faith. Believers can learn to balance action and contemplation in their spiritual lives. <a href="/topical/r/responding_to_jesus'_presence.htm">Responding to Jesus' Presence</a> Martha's immediate response to Jesus' arrival shows her eagerness and faith. We should be ready to meet Jesus in our daily lives, seeking His presence actively. <a href="/topical/u/understanding_grief_and_hope.htm">Understanding Grief and Hope</a> The sisters' different responses to Lazarus' death remind us that people grieve differently. Jesus meets us in our grief, offering hope and resurrection. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_community.htm">The Importance of Community</a> Martha and Mary, though responding differently, are part of a community of faith. Believers should support one another, respecting diverse expressions of faith and grief.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_11.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 11</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/how_does_the_bible_guide_grief.htm">How does the Bible guide grieving a loved one's death?</a> <a href="/q/were_women_told_about_jesus'_body.htm">Were the women informed about Jesus' body's fate? Yes, by a young man/angels (Mark 16:5; Luke 24:4; Matthew 28:7). No, Mary found the tomb empty and was confused (John 20:2).</a> <a href="/q/is_there_evidence_for_lazarus's_resurrection.htm">Where is independent historical or archaeological evidence that confirms Lazarus's resurrection (John 11:45-46)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/11.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming . . .--This is partly to be explained from the position in which they stood towards Him, and partly from the fact of the presence of the Jews at the house. She goes forth to meet Him in a place where she can speak her heart's thoughts, apart from the oppressive ceremonial of the formal lamentation, and where He would not be exposed to a renewal of the attempts against His life.But Mary sat still in the house.--Better, without the word in italics, but Mary was sitting in the house. The characteristics of the two sisters, which we find in <a href="/luke/10-38.htm" title="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 10:38</a> (see Note there), are strikingly preserved in this narrative. The clause describes precisely the position of the mourner, who sat on or near the ground, while those who came to lament with her sat around. (Comp. <a href="/context/job/2-13.htm" title="So they sat down with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spoke a word to him: for they saw that his grief was very great.">Job 2:13-13</a>.)<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/11.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 20. - The οϋν points back probably to ver. 1. The type of character so beautifully contrasted in the previous reference to the family at Bethany appears again, and confirms the historical character of <a href="/luke/10-38.htm">Luke 10:38</a>, etc., as well as of the narrative before us. Thoma says that this picture is "simply painted with synoptic color." Martha is the mistress of the house. Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. Martha was a woman of impulse, energy, practical duty; like Peter, she was ready even to give advice to her Lord, and eager to put everybody in his rightful place. On the first opportunity she hastened at once to "meet" Jesus, even without at first warning her sister of his approach. Mary, contemplative, pensive, undemonstrative under ordinary circumstances, but with a great fund of love, was sitting in the house receiving the condolences of the Jews (cf. ver. 19). Weiss suggests that Jesus was well aware, from the station of the family, and from the fact that hitherto his own friendship for the sisters had not submitted them to the ban, that "many Jews" would have congregated in the house of mourning. Consequently, Jesus does not come straight to the house, but allows it to be known that he is there. <a href="/commentaries/john/11-20.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. when ὡς (hōs) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_5613.htm">Strong's 5613: </a> Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner. 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. heard ἤκουσεν (ēkousen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_191.htm">Strong's 191: </a> To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear. that ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. Jesus Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites. was coming, ἔρχεται (erchetai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2064.htm">Strong's 2064: </a> To come, go. she went out to meet ὑπήντησεν (hypēntēsen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5221.htm">Strong's 5221: </a> To meet, go to meet. From hupo and a derivative of anti; to go opposite under, i.e. To encounter, fall in with. 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. but δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. Mary Μαριὰμ (Mariam) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3137.htm">Strong's 3137: </a> Or Mariam of Hebrew origin; Maria or Mariam, the name of six Christian females. stayed ἐκαθέζετο (ekathezeto) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2516.htm">Strong's 2516: </a> To be sitting, sit down, be seated. From kata and the base of hedraios; to sit down. at ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. home. οἴκῳ (oikō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3624.htm">Strong's 3624: </a> A dwelling; by implication, a family. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/11-20.htm">John 11:20 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/11-20.htm">John 11:20 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/11-20.htm">John 11:20 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/11-20.htm">John 11:20 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/11-20.htm">John 11:20 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/11-20.htm">John 11:20 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/11-20.htm">John 11:20 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/11-20.htm">John 11:20 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/11-20.htm">John 11:20 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/11-20.htm">John 11:20 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/11-20.htm">NT Gospels: John 11:20 Then when Martha heard that Jesus was (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/11-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 11:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 11:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/11-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 11:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 11:21" /></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>