Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 12:2

"So they made him a supper there: and Martha served; but Lazarus was one of them that sat at meat with him." — John 12:2 (ASV)

At this point Jesus’ time schedule becomes more definite than previously in this gospel. Martha and Mary gave a dinner for Jesus. The notation that Lazarus was among the guests seems unnecessary at first reading. If the dinner was an expression of gratitude for the restoration of Lazarus (ch. 11), he would naturally be expected to attend it. Perhaps the writer is suggesting that after Lazarus’s restoration to life he retired from any public appearance since he did not want to be an object of curiosity (cf. v.9). On this occasion he may have come out of seclusion to honor Jesus.