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Joh_11:19. ʼΕκ τῶν Ἰουδαίων ] is generally taken as equivalent to Ἱεροσολυμιτῶν , but altogether without ground. Wherever John uses the term “the Jews,” unless it be in the purely national sense (as in Joh_2:6, Joh_2:13, Joh_3:1, Joh_4:9, and frequently), to distinguish them as a nation from other nations, he constantly means the Jewish opposition to Jesus. See on Joh_1:19. So also here (compare Brückner, Gumlich, Godet). On them, however, the miracle produced the noteworthy deep impression which will be recorded in Joh_11:45-46. The Lazarus family, which, without doubt, was a highly respected one, must—and might it not have been so, notwithstanding its friendship with Jesus?—have had many acquaintances, perhaps also relatives, among these Jews.
πρὸς τὰς περὶ Μ . κ . Μ .] is not quite identical in force with πρὸς τὴν Μ . κ . Μ . (so Lachmann after B. C. L. X. à .), but describes the two sisters with their surroundings (Bernhardy, p. 263; Kühner, ad Xen. Mem. ii. 4. 2; comp. Act_13:13). The words might also denote the sisters alone, according to later Greek usage (see Valckenaer, Schol. ad Act_13:13; Lehrs, Quaest. Ep. p. 28 ff.); this usage, however, is quite foreign to the New Testament, besides that, in the present connection, the expression employed has its special propriety, they being men who had come. It implies, moreover, that the household was one of a higher class.
ἵνα παραμ . αὐτ .] The expression of sympathy and consolation, which was connected with definite formalities, lasted usually seven days (1Sa_31:13; 1Ch_10:12; Jdt_16:23). See Lightfoot, p. 1070 ff.