John Calvin Commentary John 11:39

"Jesus saith, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time the body decayeth; for he hath been [dead] four days." — John 11:39 (ASV)

Lord, he already stinketh. This is an indication of distrust, for she expects less from the power of Christ than she should have. The root of the evil consists in measuring the infinite and incomprehensible power of God by her human perception. Since nothing is more inconsistent with life than putrefaction and an offensive smell, Martha infers that no remedy can be found.

Thus, when our minds are preoccupied by foolish thoughts, we banish God from us, so to speak, so that He cannot accomplish His own work in us. Certainly, it was not because of Martha that her brother did not remain continually in the tomb, for she cuts off the expectation of life for him and, at the same time, endeavors to hinder Christ from raising him; and yet nothing was further from her intention.

This arises from the weakness of faith. Distracted in various ways, we fight with ourselves, and while we stretch out one hand to ask for assistance from God, we repel, with the other hand, that very assistance as soon as it is offered. True, Martha did not speak falsely when she said, I know that whatsoever thou shalt ask from God he will give thee; but a confused faith is of little advantage, unless it is put into action when it comes to a practical test.

We may also perceive in Martha how various the effects of faith are, even in the most excellent persons. She was the first who came to meet Christ; this was no ordinary proof of her piety; and yet she does not cease to throw difficulties in His way. So that the grace of God may have access to us, let us learn to ascribe to it far greater power than our senses can comprehend. And, if the first and single promise of God does not have sufficient weight with us, let us, at least, follow the example of Martha by giving our acquiescence when He confirms us a second and third time.