Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 11:19

"and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to console them concerning their brother." — John 11:19 (ASV)

The family at Bethany must have been well known in Jerusalem, since many “Jews” came to comfort Martha and Mary over the loss of Lazarus. A procession composed of relatives, friends, and sometimes hired mourners accompanied a body to the grave; and mourning usually lasted for several days afterward.