Charles Ellicott Commentary John 12:17

"The multitude therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb, and raised him from the dead, bare witness." — John 12:17 (ASV)

When he called Lazarus … bore record.—Several manuscripts and some of the oldest versions read, “bore record that He called Lazarus out of the grave, and raised him from the dead.” The difference in the texts is only that of one letter (ὅτε and ὅτι).

If we take the reading which was adopted by our translators, and which is best supported, we must distinguish between the multitude mentioned in this verse and that mentioned in John 12:18.

The meaning of this text is that the Jews of John 12:9, John 12:11, and those from John 11:45, along with the people of Bethany, bear witness to the event, the actual occurrence of which they had themselves seen; and that this testimony was received by the multitude of pilgrims who therefore went out to receive Jesus as the Messiah .

This interpretation makes the Jews of Jerusalem themselves the witnesses whose testimony leads the multitude to receive our Lord as the Christ.

If we take the alternative, but less probable text, the multitude in both verses will be one and the same.