When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The most striking thing here is that the crowd's primary draw wasn't just Jesus, but Lazarus himself – a living testament to Jesus' power. This shows how Jesus' miracles weren't just fleeting events, but tangible proof that captivated people and drew them in, making them witnesses to the extraordinary.
When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.
English Standard Version (ESV)
As Jesus arrives in Bethany for a dinner in His honor, the news spreads, drawing a large crowd from Jerusalem. These people are eager to see not only Jesus but also Lazarus, the man He dramatically raised from the dead, highlighting the impact of this miracle. This public spectacle intensifies the opposition, as the chief priests plot to kill both Jesus and Lazarus, fearing the growing belief in Jesus fueled by Lazarus's living testimony.
Why did the crowds flock to Bethany? It wasn't just Jesus they were after. Something else, something tangible and impossible, had captured their attention.
The verse tells us that many Jews came to Bethany not only for Jesus' sake, but also to see Lazarus. This highlights a fascinating aspect of human nature and faith: the power of the astonishing, the tangible proof of the divine.
The Power of the Visible
While Jesus was the main event, the resurrection of Lazarus was a recent, dramatic miracle that had generated significant buzz. People weren't just hearing about it; they wanted to see the evidence with their own eyes. Lazarus was living proof of Jesus' power, a walking, breathing testament to the extraordinary.
A Different Kind of Faith
This curiosity for Lazarus suggests a crowd drawn by a mix of genuine interest and perhaps even disbelief. They came to witness the impossible made possible. It's a reminder that sometimes, even in our spiritual journey, we need to see the tangible impact of God's work to move our hearts and minds.
A single act of divine power doesn't just impact one person; it creates waves that draw attention, stir belief, and even incite opposition.
The resurrection of Lazarus wasn't a private event. Its effects rippled outwards, drawing crowds and influencing people's faith. This verse shows the immediate consequence of such a profound miracle:
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A Magnet for the Curious
News of Jesus being in the vicinity, coupled with the astonishing news of Lazarus's resurrection, acted like a powerful magnet. People who might have otherwise just been passing through or coming for the feast were compelled to see this man who had defied death. It shows how extraordinary divine interventions capture public attention.
The Birth of New Beliefs
More significantly, the verse implies that seeing Lazarus was a catalyst for belief. The commentaries suggest that many who saw Lazarus were convinced of Jesus' divinity. This wasn't just about seeing a resurrected man; it was about seeing the power of God demonstrated through Jesus, leading to genuine faith.
Understand the original words
ochlos · Greek Noun
A large group or gathering of people; in the Gospels, this often refers to the common people who follow Jesus and are frequently contrasted with the religious leadership.
Ioudaios · Greek Noun/Adjective
Individuals belonging to the chosen people of Israel; in John, this term is often used to designate those who are spiritually or politically opposed to Jesus' ministry.
egeirō · Greek Verb
To be restored to life after death; a miraculous act that demonstrates God’s sovereign power over death and serves as a sign of the messianic age.
The crowds' intense curiosity about Lazarus, a man literally brought back from the dead, highlights the undeniable power of Jesus's miracle, even as it intensifies the opposition from religious leaders.
c. AD 30
Resurrection of Lazarus
Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead in Bethany, a miracle that deeply impacts many witnesses and spreads his fame.
c. AD 30— this verse
Crowds Flock to Bethany
News of Jesus and the recently resurrected Lazarus spreads, drawing large crowds from Jerusalem to Bethany to see both.
c. AD 30
Chief Priests Plot Against Lazarus
Alarmed by the growing belief in Jesus fueled by Lazarus's resurrection, the chief priests secretly plot to kill Lazarus as well.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Triumphal Entry
Jesus makes his dramatic entrance into Jerusalem on a donkey, hailed by crowds with palm branches as the King of Israel, fulfilling prophecy.
c. AD 30
Passover Feast Begins
Jerusalem swells with pilgrims for the Passover, creating an environment where Jesus's actions and the stir surrounding Lazarus are intensely observed.
This verse directly precedes John 12:9 and explains that the very miracle of raising Lazarus caused many Jews to believe in Jesus, setting the stage for the crowd's curiosity in the current passage.
John 11:47-48This passage shows the chief priests' reaction to Lazarus's resurrection, revealing their fear of Jesus's growing influence due to the miracle. Their conspiracy to kill Lazarus highlights the significant impact of his resurrection, which fuels the crowds' interest in John 12:9.
Matthew 21:8-9This passage describes the crowds' enthusiastic reception of Jesus as king entering Jerusalem, shouting 'Hosanna.' It parallels the excitement and public attention surrounding Jesus in John 12, where the miracle of Lazarus is a major draw for the crowds.
Luke 16:31In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Abraham states, 'If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.' This highlights the profound impact of a resurrection as a sign, making the crowd's desire to see Lazarus understandable.
vincentJohn 12:9: "Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead."
Much people (ὄχλος πολὺς)The best texts insert the article, which converts the expression into the current phrase, the common people. So Rev.Knew (ἔγνω)Rev., more correctly, learned. They came to know.
calvinJohn 12:9-15: "Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead."
- Then a great multitude of the Jews knew that he was there, and came, not on account of Jesus only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. 10. Now the chief priests consulted, that they might put Lazarus also to death; 11. For many of the Jews on his account went away, and beli…
The most striking thing here is that the crowd's primary draw wasn't just Jesus, but Lazarus himself – a living testament to Jesus' power. This shows how Jesus' miracles weren't just fleeting events, but tangible proof that captivated people and drew them in, making them witnesses to the extraordinary.
As Jesus arrives in Bethany for a dinner in His honor, the news spreads, drawing a large crowd from Jerusalem. These people are eager to see not only Jesus but also Lazarus, the man He dramatically raised from the dead, highlighting the impact of this miracle. This public spectacle intensifies the opposition, as the chief priests plot to kill both Jesus and Lazarus, fearing the growing belief in Jesus fueled by Lazarus's living testimony.
As Jesus arrives in Bethany for a dinner in His honor, the news spreads, drawing a large crowd from Jerusalem. These people are eager to see not only Jesus but also Lazarus, the man He dramatically raised from the dead, highlighting the impact of this miracle. This public spectacle intensifies the opposition, as the chief priests plot to kill both Jesus and Lazarus, fearing the growing belief in Jesus fueled by Lazarus's living testimony.
"When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead." — The most striking thing here is that the crowd's primary draw wasn't just Jesus, but Lazarus himself – a living testament to Jesus' power. This shows how Jesus' miracles weren't just fleeting events,…
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Last reviewed October 2026