John Calvin Commentary John 11:1

"Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister Martha." — John 11:1 (ASV)

And one named Lazarus was sick. The Evangelist passes on to another narrative, which contains a miracle eminently worthy of being recorded. For not only did Christ give a remarkable proof of his divine power in raising Lazarus, but he likewise placed before our eyes a lively image of our future resurrection.

This might indeed be said to be the latest and concluding action of his life, for the time of his death was already near. We should not wonder, therefore, if he illustrated his own glory in an extraordinary manner in that work, the memory of which he wished to be deeply impressed on their minds, so that it might seal, in some respects, all that had gone before.

There were others whom Christ had raised from the dead, but he now displays his power on a rotting corpse. But the circumstances which tend to magnify the glory of God in this miracle will be pointed out in their proper place and order.

Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. The probable reason why this circumstance is mentioned is that Lazarus had not acquired as much renown among believers as his sisters had; for these holy women were accustomed to entertain Christ with their hospitality, as is evident from what is related by the Evangelist Luke (Luke 10:38). It is truly too ridiculous a blunder to suppose that monks, and such paltry groups as the Papists have, made this small town or village a castle.