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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - John 11:1 - 11:1
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Was sick (ēn asthenōn). Periphrastic imperfect active of astheneō, old verb (from asthenēs, a privative, and sthenos, strength).
Lazarus (Lazaros). See note on Luk 16:20 for the name of another man in the parable, a shortened form of Eleazer, only other N.T. use, but in Josephus and rabbinical writings. No connexion between this Lazarus and the one in the parable.
Of Bethany (apo Bēthanias). Use of apo as in Joh 1:44 Philip of Bethsaida and Joh 1:45 Joseph of Nazareth. This Bethany is about two miles (Joh 11:18) east of Jerusalem on the south-east slope of Olivet and is now called El Azariyeh, from the name Lazarus. Jesus is still apparently at the other Bethany beyond Jordan (Joh 10:40). It is doubtful if a distinction is meant here by apo and ek between Bethany as the residence and some other village (ek tēs kōmēs) as the birthplace of Lazarus and the sisters.
Of Mary and Martha (Marias kai Marthas). Note Marthas, not Marthēs for the genitive. Elsewhere (Joh 11:19; Luk 10:38) Martha comes first as the mistress and hostess. The two sisters are named for further identification of Lazarus. Martha was apparently the elder sister (Joh 11:5, Joh 11:19; Luk 10:38.). “The identification of Mary with Mary Magdalene is a mere conjecture supported by no direct evidence, and opposed to the general tenor of the Gospels” (Westcott).