Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 11:45

"Many therefore of the Jews, who came to Mary and beheld that which he did, believed on him." — John 11:45 (ASV)

The response to the sign was twofold. “Many” of the Jews believed on the basis of the evidence they had seen, for the fact of Lazarus’s restoration was incontrovertible. In contrast, others went to inform the religious leaders of Jesus’ action, apparently as a gesture of disapproval. It seems unlikely that any of the believing Jews made up the delegation that went to the Pharisees.