Devine Scripture

John 11:19

What does John 11:19 mean?

A plain-English look at John 11:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 11:19 means

Many of the Jews had come to console Martha and Mary about their brother. This portrays the depth of communal grief and underscores the public nature of the sorrow. With many present, whatever Jesus does will be widely seen. Their presence also intensifies the emotional climate: lament fills the home, and expectations are focused on loss, not on miracle. The verse sets a backdrop of shared mourning into which Jesus will speak hope and act with authority. It also demonstrates the sisters’ respected place in their community, adding credibility to what follows.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to console them concerning their brother.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to console them concerning their brother.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And a number of Jews had come to Martha and Mary to give them comfort about their brother.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and many of the Jews had come unto Martha and Mary, that they might comfort them concerning their brother;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And many of the Jews were come to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, that they might console them concerning their brother.

Context

The closeness to Jerusalem results in a large group of mourners at the sisters’ house. This creates a gathered audience for the ensuing conversations with Jesus. The next verse will show Martha going out to meet Jesus while Mary remains seated, shaping two distinct encounters. The mourners’ presence will later bring many to witness the tomb scene and believe, while others will report to the Pharisees. This shared grief becomes the setting for revelation and division.

v.18Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off;

v.19This passage

v.20Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary still sat in the house.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Genesis 37:35

    And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down to Sheol to my son mourning. And his father wept for him.

  • John 11:31

    The Jews then who were with her in the house, and were consoling her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up quickly and went out, followed her, supposing that she was going unto the tomb to weep there.

  • Romans 12:15

    Rejoice with them that rejoice; weep with them that weep.

  • Lamentations 1:21

    They have heard that I sigh; there is none to comfort me; All mine enemies have heard of my trouble; they are glad that thou hast done it: Thou wilt bring the day that thou hast proclaimed, and they shall be like unto me.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:11

    Wherefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as also ye do.

  • Lamentations 1:9

    Her filthiness was in her skirts; she remembered not her latter end; Therefore is she come down wonderfully; she hath no comforter: Behold, O Jehovah, my affliction; for the enemy hath magnified himself.

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