John 12:9

9 A great crowd therefore of the Jews knew that he was there; and they came, not because of Jesus only, but also that they might see Lazarus whom he raised from among [the] dead.

John 12:9 Meaning and Commentary

John 12:9

Much of the people of the Jews therefore knew that he was
there
That is, many of the Jews that dwelt at Jerusalem, knew that Jesus was at Bethany; for it being but two miles from Jerusalem, the report of his being come soon reached thither:

and they came
from Jerusalem to Bethany,

not for Jesus' sake only;
to see him, and hear him, and observe what he said and did:

but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the
dead;
that is, whom Jesus had raised from the dead, as the Alexandrian copy, and the Ethiopic version express it; for it equally excited their curiosity, to see the person that had been dead, and was raised from the dead, as to see him who raised him: and it is very likely before they had no opportunity of seeing him; it may be he did not appear publicly before, but kept himself retired; but now Jesus being come, he showed himself openly; which the Jerusalem Jews being informed of, induced them to come to see both the one and the other.

John 12:9 In-Context

7 Jesus therefore said, Suffer her to have kept this for the day of my preparation for burial;

8 for ye have the poor always with you, but me ye have not always.

9 A great crowd therefore of the Jews knew that he was there; and they came, not because of Jesus only, but also that they might see Lazarus whom he raised from among [the] dead.

10 But the chief priests took counsel that they might kill Lazarus also,

11 because many of the Jews went away on his account and believed on Jesus.

Footnotes

• [a] Lit. 'is.'