John 11:19 – “And many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother.”

Extended Explanation

This verse describes the scene in Bethany after the death of Lazarus. Martha and Mary, the sisters of Lazarus, were mourning their brother’s passing, and many Jews from nearby Jerusalem had come to console them.

Jewish mourning customs were deeply ingrained in their culture. When someone died, friends, family, and even community members would gather at the home of the grieving family to offer comfort and support. In this case, the large number of mourners suggests that Lazarus’ family was well-respected and likely had a significant social status.

This verse also sets the stage for what is about to happen. Because so many people had come to mourn, there would be many witnesses to the miracle of Lazarus’ resurrection. This event was not going to happen in secret—it was about to become a well-known and undeniable display of Jesus’ power over death.

Historical Context

In Jewish culture, mourning was not a private event—it was a communal experience. The first seven days after a death were known as “sitting shiva”, where mourners would gather in the home of the deceased’s family. It was customary for family, friends, and neighbors to visit, bring food, and sit in sorrow with the grieving family. Some mourners would even weep loudly as an expression of shared grief.

Because Bethany was only two miles from Jerusalem (John 11:18), many people from the city would have come to comfort Martha and Mary. This means that there were many eyewitnesses who could later testify to what Jesus did when He raised Lazarus from the dead.

This also adds another layer of risk for Jesus. His enemies in Jerusalem were already plotting against Him (John 11:8, 11:53), and now He was stepping into a public setting where His actions would draw attention.

Theological Implications

1. Jesus’ miracle was meant to be seen. God did not plan for Lazarus’ resurrection to be a private moment. The presence of so many mourners ensured that this miracle would spread quickly and force people to confront who Jesus really was.
2. God often works in ways that impact entire communities, not just individuals. This event did not just affect Martha and Mary—it deeply impacted the many Jews who came to mourn and later saw Lazarus alive again.
3. Jesus entered into human suffering. The fact that many came to comfort Martha and Mary shows that grief was real, and it was shared. Jesus Himself would soon weep for Lazarus (John 11:35), showing His deep compassion for human pain.
4. Suffering creates an opportunity for people to witness God’s power. The very thing that caused sorrow—the death of Lazarus—became the backdrop for one of the greatest miracles of Jesus’ ministry.

Literary Analysis

John, the writer of this Gospel, includes specific details that highlight both the emotional weight of the moment and the public nature of the miracle.

• The mention of “many Jews” emphasizes that this was not a private household mourning—it was a well-attended event, making what happens next impossible to ignore.
• The wording focuses on the grief of Martha and Mary, setting up the contrast between their sorrow and the joy that Jesus will soon bring.
• This verse also acts as a transition—it moves the focus from Lazarus’ death to the reaction of the people, which becomes central to the events that follow.

This verse also foreshadows the growing division among the Jewish people—some would believe in Jesus after this miracle, while others would go report it to the Pharisees, leading directly to Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion (John 11:45-53).

Relevant Biblical Cross-References

• Romans 12:15 – “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” (A call to share in the sorrows of others, just as these mourners did.)
• Psalm 34:18 – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (A reminder that God is present in grief.)
• 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – “The God of all comfort… comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble.” (God uses our experiences of sorrow to help us comfort others.)
• John 11:45 – “Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in Him.” (Shows how the presence of many mourners led to more people believing in Jesus.)

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

1. God meets us in our grief. The fact that so many people gathered to comfort Martha and Mary reminds us that God understands our pain and surrounds us with others to help carry the burden.
2. God often uses suffering to reveal His glory. Just as the mourning for Lazarus became the setting for a miracle, our hardest moments can become opportunities for God to work in ways we never expected.
3. We are called to comfort others. The mourners came to be with Mary and Martha in their sorrow. As Christians, we are called to show compassion to those who are hurting (Galatians 6:2).
4. God’s work in our lives is meant to be seen by others. Lazarus’ resurrection was witnessed by many. In the same way, when God works in our lives, it is not just for us—it is meant to be a testimony that draws others to Him.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

Some people struggle with the question: If God loves us, why does He allow us to go through grief? This verse helps us understand that God’s love does not always prevent suffering, but He does provide comfort in it.

• God did not leave Martha and Mary to grieve alone. He provided friends, neighbors, and even strangers to support them.
• Jesus Himself was about to join them in their grief. In John 11:35, we see the shortest verse in the Bible—”Jesus wept.” This reminds us that God is not distant from our pain—He steps into it with us.

This verse also shows that God’s love is big enough to reach entire communities. The presence of so many Jews at Lazarus’ house meant that many more people would be touched by the miracle Jesus was about to perform.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

This verse is part of the lead-up to one of Jesus’ most powerful miracles. The raising of Lazarus:

1. Proves Jesus’ power over death – This was a foreshadowing of His own resurrection, showing that He is the source of eternal life.
2. Brings people to faith – Many of the mourners who witnessed the miracle believed in Jesus (John 11:45).
3. Pushes the religious leaders to act – The Pharisees saw this miracle as a threat, and it led directly to their decision to put Jesus to death (John 11:53).

In this way, the mourning of Lazarus was not just about one man’s death—it was part of the journey leading to the cross, where Jesus would conquer death once and for all.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. How does this verse challenge the way you think about grief and mourning?
2. What does this passage teach us about the importance of community during difficult times?
3. How can we be better at comforting those who are hurting?
4. Have you ever seen God use a difficult situation to bring about something greater?
5. What does this passage reveal about Jesus’ power over life and death?