John 11 30

John 11:30 kjv

Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.

John 11:30 nkjv

Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met Him.

John 11:30 niv

Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him.

John 11:30 esv

Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him.

John 11:30 nlt

Jesus had stayed outside the village, at the place where Martha met him.

John 11 verses

John 11 30 Meaning

John 11:30 signifies Jesus' precise location upon arriving near Bethany. He had not yet entered the actual village dwellings but was in a specific, known spot just outside, which served as the designated meeting point where Martha had already gone out to encounter Him. This verse establishes a deliberate pause in Jesus' journey, setting the stage for crucial, intimate conversations before his full engagement with the grieving community.

John 11 30 Context

Chapter Context: John 11 details the profound narrative of Lazarus' sickness, death, and resurrection. Jesus deliberately delays His arrival in Bethany for two days after hearing of Lazarus' illness, stating it is "for the glory of God." This delay leads to Lazarus' death. When Jesus finally travels towards Bethany, Martha, overcome with grief but still holding onto faith, hurries out to meet Him. Verse 30 directly precedes Jesus' powerful declaration to Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life," and His subsequent encounter with Mary and the weeping community, culminating in Lazarus' miraculous raising. Jesus' not entering the village immediately highlights a conscious decision, setting the stage for a private and impactful initial interaction.

Historical/Cultural Context: Bethany was a small village, about two miles east of Jerusalem. It was a place of familiar hospitality for Jesus, particularly with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. In Jewish mourning customs of the time, close family and friends would typically gather at the house of the deceased for a period of intense lamentation (shiva). For a respected figure like Jesus, his arrival in the village would likely draw immediate attention from the many mourners gathered there. His choice to stay outside suggests a strategic and sensitive approach, possibly allowing for a more intimate exchange with Martha before being enveloped by the general lamentation, or perhaps for his own preparation for the miraculous demonstration to come.

John 11 30 Word analysis

• Now (Greek: De - δέ): A coordinating conjunction, here functions to continue the narrative smoothly. It signifies a transition, "and," or "but," connecting this detail to the preceding description of Martha's meeting with Jesus. It's not just a time marker but a narrative linker.
• Jesus (Greek: Iēsous - Ἰησοῦς): The specific person, emphasizing that it is Christ himself, with full divine and human understanding, who is making this deliberate move.
• was not yet come (Greek: oudepō - οὐδέπω, elelythei - ἐληλύθει):
  • oudepō: "not yet," a negative adverb intensifying the "not." It stresses that His entry into the village proper was still pending.
  • elelythei: The pluperfect active indicative of erchomai (to come). This tense indicates an action completed in the past relative to another past action, but here it suggests a state that continued up to a point, meaning "had not (yet) come." It implies a purposeful and controlled movement on Jesus' part; He chose not to be fully within the village boundaries at that moment.
• into the village (Greek: eis tēn kōmēn - εἰς τὴν κώμην):
  • eis: A preposition meaning "into," indicating motion toward and penetration of.
  • kōmēn: "village," specifically Bethany, the cluster of dwellings. Jesus had not yet reached the populated, central part of the village where Lazarus's home was, and where the intense mourning would be taking place. This shows a distinction between the outskirts and the inhabited area.
• but (Greek: alla - ἀλλά): A strong adversative conjunction. It marks a sharp contrast or exception to the previous statement. Jesus wasn't in the village, but rather, He was in a different specified location.
• was (Greek: ēn - ἦν): The imperfect active indicative of eimi (to be). It describes a continuous state or a past action of being, indicating Jesus' current stationary position.
• in that place (Greek: en tō topō - ἐν τῷ τόπῳ):
  • en: "in," a preposition denoting location.
  • topō: "place." This refers to a specific, identifiable, but unnamed spot. It was outside the core village but presumably close enough for Martha to readily go out and meet Him. The specificity suggests it was a memorable or strategically chosen point.
• where (Greek: hopou - ὅπου): A relative adverb of place, pointing to "that place."
• Martha (Greek: hē Martha - ἡ Μάρθα): One of the sisters, personally identified. Her name anchors the location by her recent action.
• met him (Greek: hupēntēsen auton - ὑπήντησεν αὐτῷ): The aorist active indicative of hypantaō (to meet, come to meet). This highlights Martha's completed action of going out to greet Jesus, establishing "that place" as their previous meeting spot. It signifies an intentional and initiated encounter.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Now Jesus was not yet come into the village": This phrase establishes the physical boundary and Jesus' strategic positioning. It conveys that Jesus deliberately maintained a slight distance, allowing for control over his initial interactions upon arriving. His non-entry into the public space of the village speaks to a calculated approach.
• "but was in that place": This clarifies his actual whereabouts. Instead of a general description of his vicinity, it pinpoints a distinct location, emphasizing that he was deliberately positioned there, rather than still "on the road." This place holds significance due to the subsequent interaction.
• "where Martha met him": This clause provides an immediate and unambiguous identification of "that place." It retrospectively grounds the location by referencing the recent encounter with Martha, solidifying it as a significant meeting point for a crucial private dialogue.

John 11 30 Bonus section

• Purposeful Staging: Jesus often controlled His entry and public appearances, as seen when He instructs the disciples on acquiring a donkey for His triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matt 21:1-3). Here, He controls His proximity to the place of mourning, serving a specific narrative and spiritual purpose.
• Theological Implication of "Place": The unnamed "place" becomes sacred through the profound declaration and faith shared there. It is not just a geographical point but a divinely chosen stage for revealing Jesus' identity as Lord of life and death, even before the physical resurrection takes place. This location sets the tone for an intimate confession of faith.
• Contrast to Other Healing Narratives: Often, Jesus goes directly into homes to heal or resurrect (e.g., Jairus' daughter, Mark 5:38-42). Here, He remains outside, creating a different dynamic that foregrounds personal faith over immediate, public intervention.
• Jesus as the Strategic Comforter: By not immediately entering the village, Jesus allows Martha a space for raw, honest conversation (John 11:21) before the pressures of public lamentation intensify. This highlights His discernment in ministering to individual needs.

John 11 30 Commentary

John 11:30, though brief, provides critical insight into Jesus' measured and deliberate approach to one of His most profound miracles. By remaining "in that place" outside the village, Jesus orchestrates a setting for a private and personal encounter with Martha, rather than being immediately swept into the collective grief within Lazarus's home. This controlled arrival allows for a foundational theological dialogue with Martha, culminating in the "I am the resurrection and the life" declaration (John 11:25). It shows His wisdom and sensitivity, first addressing the individual's faith and sorrow away from the overwhelming public display, and preparing them for the public display of God's glory. This momentary pause underscores His divine timing and strategic intent before facing the broader mourning and demonstrating His power over death.