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Therefore Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you would have been here, my brother wouldn`t have died.

Verse Takeaways

1

Faith Mixed with Flaws

Commentators observe that Martha's statement reveals a faith that is both genuine and imperfect. While she expresses strong belief in Jesus's power, scholars like Calvin and Gill note a weakness: she wrongly assumed His physical presence was necessary for healing. Her words contain a mix of deep trust, human disappointment, and even a 'tinge of reproach,' showing that even sincere faith can be messy and limited by our understanding.

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John

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Commentaries

8

AT Robertson

AT Robertson

On John 11:21

Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died (Κυριε, ε ης ωδε ουκ αν απεθανεν ο αδελφος μου). Condition of the second cl…

Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott

On John 11:21

19th Century

Bishop

Lord, if you had been here, my brother had not died.—We have exactly the same words spoken by Mary in John 11:32. They are the utterance o…

Charles Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon

On John 11:21

19th Century

Preacher

Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

There seems to have been just a tinge of repro…

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Expositor's Bible Commentary

Expositor's Bible Commentary

On John 11:21

The words Martha addressed to Jesus express both a repressed reproach and a persistent faith. She was disappointed that Jesus had not responded to …

John Calvin

John Calvin

On John 11:21

16th Century

Theologian

Lord, if you had been here. She begins with a complaint, though in doing so she modestly expresses her wish. Her meaning may be expressed …

John Gill

John Gill

On John 11:21

17th Century

Pastor

When said Martha unto Jesus
When she was come to him,

Lord, if you had been here my brother had n…

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Matthew Henry

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 …