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1
The Culture of Comfort
Commentators explain that the arrival of "many of the Jews" was part of a formal, multi-day Jewish mourning ritual. Detailed customs included specific days for weeping and lamentation, with community members visiting to offer comfort. This was seen as an important act of piety.
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John
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Commentaries
9
Albert Barnes
On John 11:19
18th Century
Theologian
Many of the Jews. Probably their distant relatives or their friends.
To comfort. These visits of consolation were commonly…
AT Robertson
On John 11:19
Had come (εληλυθεισαν). Past perfect of ερχομα. These Jews were probably not hostile to Jesus. There were seven days of solemn mou…
Charles Ellicott
On John 11:19
19th Century
Bishop
And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary.—Better, and many of the Jews had come...—They had come before our Lord’s arrival. T…
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Charles Spurgeon
On John 11:19–20
19th Century
Preacher
And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming…
Expositor's Bible Commentary
On John 11:19
The family at Bethany must have been well known in Jerusalem, since many “Jews” came to comfort Martha and Mary over the loss of Lazarus. A process…
John Calvin
On John 11:19
16th Century
Theologian
To comfort them concerning their brother. This was, no doubt, the object they had in view, but God had another object to accomplish, as we…
John Gill
On John 11:19
17th Century
Pastor
And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary
Or "to those that were about Martha and Mary"; in order to have access …
Matthew Henry
On John 11:17–32
17th Century
Minister
Here was a house where the fear of God was, and on which his blessing rested; yet it was made a house of mourning. Grace will keep sorrow from the …