John Calvin Commentary John 11:20

"Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary still sat in the house." — John 11:20 (ASV)

Martha having heard that Jesus was coming. Martha travels beyond the village, as we will see later, not only perhaps because of the reverence she had for Christ, but so that she might meet him more secretly. For the danger he faced was fresh in his memory, and the rage of his enemies had not fully subsided, which had been somewhat abated by Christ’s departure into Galilee, but might, when they heard of his arrival, break out again with greater violence.