John 11 29

John 11:29 kjv

As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.

John 11:29 nkjv

As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him.

John 11:29 niv

When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him.

John 11:29 esv

And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him.

John 11:29 nlt

So Mary immediately went to him.

John 11 verses

John 11 29 Meaning

John 11:29 describes Mary's swift and immediate response to hearing Jesus' call. Upon receiving Martha's message that "The Teacher is here and is calling for you," Mary rose quickly from her mourning and went directly to Jesus. This action signifies her eagerness, devotion, and hopeful anticipation of Jesus' presence, demonstrating a profound personal faith in Him as her Teacher and Lord, even amidst deep sorrow.

John 11 29 Context

John chapter 11 narrates the climactic event of Lazarus' death and resurrection, one of Jesus' most significant miracles. Leading up to verse 29, Jesus intentionally delayed His arrival, allowing Lazarus to die and be buried for four days. Upon His arrival in Bethany, Martha first met Him, expressing her sorrow but also her enduring faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God (v. 20-27). Jesus then delivered the profound declaration, "I am the resurrection and the life." Subsequently, in verse 28, Martha quietly conveyed Jesus' personal call to her sister Mary: "The Teacher is here and is calling for you." This verse (29) details Mary's immediate, intense reaction to this private summons, moving from a state of deep mourning in the house to actively seeking Jesus. Historically, Jewish mourners typically sat on the ground for seven days; Mary's rising quickly disrupts this customary practice due to the urgency of Jesus' call.

John 11 29 Word analysis

• When she heard this: (Greek: hōs ēkousen tauta)
  • hōs (ὡς): "As, when, after." Denotes immediate temporal connection, showing the swift causality between hearing and acting.
  • ēkousen (ἤκουσεν): Aorist active indicative of akouō, "to hear, listen." Emphasizes the definite act of hearing and internalizing the message, rather than a prolonged process. It was a message directed at her and taken to heart.
  • tauta (ταῦτα): "These things." Refers directly to Martha's whispered message in v. 28, specifically "The Teacher is here and is calling for you." This highlights the personal and authoritative nature of the call, even when relayed by another. The act of "hearing" implies an understanding of the gravity and importance of Jesus' summon.
• she got up quickly: (Greek: ēgerthē tachy)
  • ēgerthē (ἠγέρθη): Aorist passive indicative of egeirō, "to raise, rouse, awaken, rise." Here, in passive form with Mary as the subject, it means "she was raised/got up." This word choice, related to rising from sleep or death, carries a subtle but profound resonance with the chapter's overarching theme of resurrection, hinting at the life-giving power inherent in Jesus' call. It signifies a decisive, active break from her static position of mourning.
  • tachy (ταχύ): Adverb, "quickly, swiftly, without delay." Emphasizes the immediacy and urgency of Mary's response. It conveys an eagerness and readiness, rather than reluctance or hesitation, underscoring her devotion to Jesus above conventional mourning customs. This rapid action demonstrates a deep reverence for the "Teacher's" authority and a longing for His presence.
• and went to him: (Greek: kai ērcheto pros auton)
  • kai (καί): "And." Connects her physical rising with her onward movement.
  • ērcheto (ἤρχετο): Imperfect active indicative of erchomai, "to come, go." The imperfect tense can suggest a setting out in motion, or an action in progress, emphasizing her movement towards Jesus immediately after rising. It indicates not just an intention but an active trajectory.
  • pros (πρός): Preposition, "to, toward, with." Specifies direction, emphasizing that her movement was directly and purposefully towards Jesus. He was the focus and destination of her hope and urgent need.
  • auton (αὐτόν): Accusative masculine singular pronoun, "him," referring unmistakably to Jesus. Her entire attention and motion are directed singularly to Him.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• When she heard this, she got up quickly: This phrase captures the immediate and decisive nature of Mary's faith-response. The act of hearing Jesus' indirect call instantly moved her from deep sorrow (implied by her sitting in mourning) to swift, hopeful action. Her "rising" can be seen as a spiritual stirring, echoing how one rises to spiritual life when hearing Jesus' voice, foreshadowing Lazarus' own literal rising from the dead. It illustrates an unreserved obedience to the Master’s summons.
• and went to him: This signifies not merely a physical relocation, but a deeply personal, focused act of drawing near to the one in whom she placed her hope and trust. In her grief, her ultimate destination was Jesus, believing He held the answer or the comfort she sought. Her direct movement underscores her recognition of Jesus' unique authority and power, especially in the face of death.

John 11 29 Bonus section

• The immediacy of Mary's action ("got up quickly") highlights the transformative power of Jesus' call. Her position in the house was likely a conventional mourning posture (sitting on the ground), symbolizing despair and immobility. Jesus' call shattered this inertia.
• Mary's quiet departure from the house in verse 29, unnoticed by others at first, might suggest an intimate, personal aspect of responding to Jesus' summons, distinct from public display. The mourners' later follow-up in v. 31, assuming she was going to the tomb, highlights her profound sorrow and expectation that only the dead could now command her attention – but Jesus commands it instead.
• The title "The Teacher" (Didaskalos), as conveyed by Martha, emphasizes Mary's reverent perception of Jesus as an authoritative figure, not just a friend, whose word commands immediate attention and obedience. This contrasts with later Jewish resistance to Jesus' claims of divinity.
• The subtle imagery of "rising" (ēgerthē) connecting to resurrection foreshadows Jesus' ultimate declaration and demonstration of His power over death with Lazarus. It hints that all who "hear His voice" will "rise" in various ways—physically (Lazarus), spiritually (believers), or ultimately (resurrection of the dead).
• Mary’s decision reflects prioritizing the Living Word over conventional customs, teaching the value of singular devotion to Jesus' voice above all earthly ties and practices, especially in moments of great sorrow and questioning.

John 11 29 Commentary

John 11:29 is a powerful, concise vignette showcasing immediate and devoted responsiveness to Jesus' call. Mary's swift action, disrupting her state of deep mourning, illustrates that genuine faith is active and urgent, overriding social conventions or personal distress when the Master calls. Her movement "to him" is not merely physical, but spiritual; it symbolizes turning directly to Christ in our greatest need, with an expectation that His presence holds significance and power beyond human understanding. This verse provides a practical example of a receptive heart, ready to act on Jesus' word without delay, offering solace or intervention. Mary’s quick rise from the posture of death-induced despair to seek life and comfort in Jesus serves as a profound testimony to her devotion and confidence in His divine authority.