John Calvin Commentary John 11:36

"The Jews therefore said, Behold how he loved him!" — John 11:36 (ASV)

Behold, how he loved him! The Evangelist John here describes to us two different opinions which were formed about Christ. As to the former, who said, Behold, how he loved him!, though they think less highly of Christ than they should have, since they ascribe to him nothing but what may belong to a man, yet they speak of him with greater candor and modesty than the latter, who maliciously slander him for not having hindered Lazarus from dying.

For, though they applaud the power of Christ, of which the former said nothing, yet they do so, not without bringing against him some reproach. It is evident enough from their words, that the miracles Christ had performed were not unknown to them; but their ingratitude is all the more base, in that they do not hesitate to complain because now, in a single instance, he abstained from working. Men have always been ungrateful to God in the same manner, and continue to be so. If he does not grant all our wishes, we immediately launch into complaints: “Since he has been accustomed to aid us until now, why does he now forsake and disappoint us?”

There is here a twofold disease.

1. Though we rashly desire what is not expedient for us, yet we wish to subject God to the perverse desires of the flesh.
2. We are rude in our demands, and the ardor of impatience hurries us before the time.