John 11 20

John 11:20 kjv

Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.

John 11:20 nkjv

Now Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house.

John 11:20 niv

When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

John 11:20 esv

So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house.

John 11:20 nlt

When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. But Mary stayed in the house.

John 11 verses

John 11 20 Meaning

John 11:20 captures the initial, contrasting reactions of Martha and Mary to Jesus' arrival in Bethany following their brother Lazarus' death. Martha, upon hearing that Jesus was approaching, immediately left her house to greet and confront Him, reflecting her characteristic active and proactive nature. In stark contrast, Mary, overwhelmed by her grief, remained indoors, seated in a posture that signified deep mourning and potentially a more internal, contemplative way of processing her sorrow. This verse serves as a concise portrayal of their distinct temperaments and sets the stage for their individual interactions with Jesus during this moment of profound loss.

John 11 20 Context

John chapter 11 narrates the dramatic events surrounding the death and resurrection of Lazarus, who was the beloved brother of Martha and Mary of Bethany. Jesus, informed of Lazarus' severe illness, deliberately delayed His arrival, declaring that the sickness would ultimately bring glory to God (John 11:4). By the time Jesus began His journey to Bethany, Lazarus had been dead and in the tomb for four days (John 11:17). The verse under analysis, John 11:20, captures the immediate moment of Jesus' approach to the village, just outside the house where the sisters and numerous mourners were observing the traditional seven-day period of grief, setting the stage for Jesus' direct encounter with each sister amidst their profound sorrow. Culturally, extended mourning involved friends and relatives offering comfort, and sitting within the house was a customary posture of lament.

John 11 20 Word analysis

• Then Martha: The Greek word οὖν (oun) here indicates a causal or sequential link, implying Martha's action is a direct consequence of the news. Martha is characterized throughout the Gospels (Lk 10:38-42) by her active, hospitable, and often pragmatic disposition. Her immediate response reflects her personality and perhaps her role as the manager of the household.
• as soon as she heard: This phrase emphasizes her quick and decisive reaction. The Greek verb ἀκούω (akouō), "to hear," here implies understanding the significance of the news—Jesus' presence. Her attentiveness highlights her urgent expectation.
• that Jesus was coming: The news of Jesus' arrival (ἔρχομαι - erchomai) represents a shift in the immediate tragedy, offering a glimmer of hope or, at the very least, a much-anticipated presence. His "coming" had been long awaited by the distressed family.
• went and met Him: The verb ὑπαντάω (hypantaō), "to go to meet," signifies an intentional, proactive movement to greet or intercept. It implies urgency, honor, and a direct engagement. Martha did not wait for Jesus to enter; she actively sought Him out, demonstrating her drive and her need to speak with Him.
• but Mary: The conjunction δὲ (de), "but," introduces a sharp contrast to Martha’s action, highlighting Mary's distinctly different temperament. Mary, known for her contemplative and devoted nature (Lk 10:38-42), exhibits a different response to crisis and grief.
• remained seated: The Greek word for "seated" (καθήμενη - kathēmenē, a present participle from κάθημαι, kathēmai, "to sit") indicates her current state or posture. Sitting was a customary posture for intense grief and mourning in Jewish culture (e.g., Job 2:8; Ps 137:1). It could indicate deep sorrow, immobility, or adherence to mourning traditions.
• in the house: Staying "in the house" (ἐν τῇ οἰκίᾳ - en tē oikia) confines Mary to the immediate scene of her grief. While Martha went out to confront the new reality, Mary stayed within the space of lament and the social expectations for one in deep mourning.

• Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him: This whole phrase paints a vivid picture of Martha’s characteristic energy and initiative. Driven by the news of Jesus' approach, she acts immediately, leaving the conventional bounds of mourning to seek Him out. Her eagerness to meet Jesus directly shows her proactive faith, even in profound sorrow, and her longing for intervention or explanation. This quick movement underscores her engaged and forthright personality.
• but Mary remained seated in the house: This phrase starkly contrasts Mary's disposition and current state. Her continued inaction signifies deep, perhaps overwhelming, sorrow, aligning with the traditional customs of grief that dictated remaining secluded indoors. Her posture could reflect a more internal, contemplative processing of loss, or simply being incapacitated by the weight of her sadness, differing significantly from her sister's outward dynamism.

John 11 20 Bonus section

The narrative of Martha and Mary's distinct reactions (John 11:20-37) serves as a profound biblical typology of how individuals respond to grief, crisis, and the divine. Martha's active pursuit and direct verbal confrontation with Jesus ("Lord, if you had been here...") represent a faith that is articulate, questioning, and engaged in theological discourse even in distress. Mary's quiet sorrow, followed by her prostrate lament at Jesus' feet upon being called ("Lord, if you had been here..."), embodies a more profound, emotional, and physical expression of devotion and pain, often leading to immediate and powerful spiritual release. These complementary responses highlight Jesus’ ability to engage with and minister to both the "Marthas" who actively seek dialogue and the "Marys" who pour out their hearts in silent adoration or overwhelming grief. Neither response is deemed superior; instead, they both serve as valid, personal expressions of faith and sorrow before the Christ, who uniquely comprehends and responds to each.

John 11 20 Commentary

John 11:20 presents a pivotal moment, succinctly illustrating the inherent differences in temperament between Martha and Mary, differences that surface vividly in their response to the shared tragedy of Lazarus’s death and Jesus’ belated arrival. Martha, ever the doer and problem-solver, immediately takes the initiative to meet Jesus, her action stemming from her hope and perhaps her desperate need for explanation or intervention. Her swift movement and directness reveal her active faith, wrestling with the "if only" of the situation. Mary, by contrast, is found in a state of quiet, perhaps internalized, grief, adhering to traditional mourning customs by remaining seated within the house. Her stillness portrays a different dimension of sorrow—one that is profound, somber, and deeply absorbing. This verse is not about a "better" or "worse" way to respond to Jesus or grief, but rather a profound recognition of human diversity in approaching both divine presence and personal suffering. It sets the stage for Jesus to minister to each sister according to her unique needs and personality, revealing His intimate understanding and compassion for individual human experience.