John 11:20

20 Martha assone as she hearde yt Iesus was comynge went and met him: but Mary sate still in the housse.

John 11:20 Meaning and Commentary

John 11:20

Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming,
&c.] Which she might hear of, either by a messenger sent by Christ to her, to acquaint her of it; or rather by some of the people of the town, who knew him, and ran and told her of it; and she being an active person, and stirring about house, might receive the report unknown to her sister, as it seems she did; and as soon as she had the hint, without staying to communicate it to her sister,

went and met him;
either through her great affection to him, and eager desire of seeing him; or to consult his safety, and let him know what number of Jews were in their house, that he might consider whether it would be safe for him to be at their house or not.

But Mary sat [still] in the house;
not out of disrespect to Jesus, or through want of affection to him, or through any indifference and sloth, but because she knew not that Jesus was coming; see ( John 11:28 John 11:29 ) .

John 11:20 In-Context

18 Bethanie was nye vnto Ierusalem aboute. xv. furlonges of

19 and many of the Iewes were come to Martha and Mary to comforte them over their brother.

20 Martha assone as she hearde yt Iesus was comynge went and met him: but Mary sate still in the housse.

21 Then sayde Martha vnto Iesus: Lorde yf thou haddest bene here my brother had not bene deed:

22 but neverthelesse I knowe that whatsoever thou axest of God God will geve it the.