John 11:20 Meaning and Explanation
“Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Hearing that Jesus is coming, Martha goes out to meet him, while Mary remains sitting in the house.
What Does John 11:20 Mean?
The sisters answer the same news in opposite ways, true to their portraits in Luke 10:38-42: Martha the woman of action strides up the road, while Mary keeps the mourner's posture, seated at home among the comforters.
Grief has no single faithful shape. One heart runs toward the Lord with its questions; another cannot rise until he calls for her by name (v. 28). Jesus meets each sister in turn, on her own ground and in her own manner. He does not require us to grieve alike — only to come to him, or to let him come to us.
Frequently Asked Questions About John 11:20
What does John 11:20 mean?
Hearing that Jesus is coming, Martha goes out to meet him, while Mary remains sitting in the house.