John 12:9-11
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. So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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It's easy to read this and think the crowd was just curious about Lazarus. But the text subtly highlights that they came because Jesus was there, and Lazarus's resurrection was a huge testament to Jesus's power. They weren't just sightseeing; they were drawn by the sheer force of Christ's divine authority made visible through Lazarus.
As Jesus arrives in Bethany near Jerusalem, a large crowd of Jews learns of his presence. They are drawn not only by Jesus himself but also by an intense curiosity to see Lazarus, the man Jesus famously raised from the dead, a miracle that has stirred significant buzz. This event sets the stage for Jesus' triumphant, yet ultimately tragic, entry into Jerusalem the following day, a stark contrast to the religious leaders' dark plot to silence the miracle's impact by killing both Jesus and Lazarus.
The news of Jesus' arrival drew a crowd, but their interest wasn't solely focused on Him. Something else, a recent and astonishing event, had captured their attention.
The people who came to Bethany weren't just coming for Jesus; they were also drawn by the incredible spectacle of Lazarus, the man raised from the dead.
A Double Attraction
This shows that even in a crowd drawn to Jesus, there can be mixed motives and levels of spiritual engagement.
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The crowd's journey to Bethany wasn't just a passive spectacle; it was an active step toward understanding and, for some, toward faith.
The verse implies a process of discovery and decision. The people "learned" Jesus was there, and their coming was an act of seeking.
From Curiosity to Conviction
This illustrates how encountering the reality of God's work can be a catalyst for 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.
archiereus · Greek Noun
The leaders of the Jewish temple hierarchy; they held significant political and religious authority and were the primary instigators in the plot to execute Jesus.
Ioudaioi · Greek Noun
Refers to the Jewish people as an ethnic or religious group, often used in John's Gospel to represent those who are either struggling to understand Jesus' identity or are in opposition to His ministry.
pisteuontes · Greek Verb
A fundamental spiritual response to the Gospel, involving personal trust, reliance, and commitment to Jesus Christ as the Savior and Son of God, leading to eternal life.
c. AD 30
Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead
Jesus performs one of his most dramatic miracles, raising his friend Lazarus from the dead after he had been buried for several days. This event greatly increased Jesus' fame and also incited the opposition of the religious authorities.
c. AD 30
Jesus arrives in Bethany
Jesus comes to Bethany, near Jerusalem, six days before the Passover feast, staying at the home of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary.
c. AD 30— this verse
Crowds flock to Bethany
News of Jesus' presence spreads, and many Jews, both from Jerusalem and the surrounding area, come to see Jesus and the man he raised from the dead.
c. AD 30
Chief priests plot to kill Lazarus
Alarmed by the growing belief in Jesus sparked by Lazarus's resurrection, the chief priests plot to kill Lazarus as well, fearing he would be a living testament to Jesus' power.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
The day after the events in Bethany, a large crowd greets Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem with palm branches and shouts of 'Hosanna,' celebrating him as their king.
This verse immediately precedes the account of Lazarus's resurrection, showing how witnessing the miracle directly led many Jews to believe in Jesus.
John 11:47-48This passage highlights the concern of the chief priests and Pharisees, who feared Jesus's growing influence, particularly evidenced by the crowd drawn by Lazarus's resurrection, showing the 'why' behind their animosity.
Matthew 21:10-11This passage describes the crowd's reaction upon Jesus's arrival in Jerusalem, mirroring the excitement seen in Bethany and indicating a widespread interest in Jesus and the miracles associated with him.
Acts 4:13-14This passage shows Peter and John boldly proclaiming Jesus after healing a man, and the authorities' reaction, demonstrating that miraculous signs continued to draw attention and lead to belief, even in the face of opposition.
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…
It's easy to read this and think the crowd was just curious about Lazarus. But the text subtly highlights that they came because Jesus was there, and Lazarus's resurrection was a huge testament to Jesus's power. They weren't just sightseeing; they were drawn by the sheer force of Christ's divine authority made visible through Lazarus.
As Jesus arrives in Bethany near Jerusalem, a large crowd of Jews learns of his presence. They are drawn not only by Jesus himself but also by an intense curiosity to see Lazarus, the man Jesus famously raised from the dead, a miracle that has stirred significant buzz. This event sets the stage for Jesus' triumphant, yet ultimately tragic, entry into Jerusalem the following day, a stark contrast to the religious leaders' dark plot to silence the miracle's impact by killing both Jesus and Lazarus.
As Jesus arrives in Bethany near Jerusalem, a large crowd of Jews learns of his presence. They are drawn not only by Jesus himself but also by an intense curiosity to see Lazarus, the man Jesus famously raised from the dead, a miracle that has stirred significant buzz. This event sets the stage for Jesus' triumphant, yet ultimately tragic, entry into Jerusalem the following day, a stark contrast to the religious leaders' dark plot to silence the miracle's impact by killing both Jesus and Lazarus.
"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. So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on acc…" — It's easy to read this and think the crowd was just curious about Lazarus. But the text subtly highlights that they came because Jesus was there, and Lazarus's resurrection was a huge testament t…
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