John 11:20

Translations

King James Version (KJV)

Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.

American King James Version (AKJV)

Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.

American Standard Version (ASV)

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

Basic English Translation (BBE)

When Martha had the news that Jesus was on the way, she went out to him, but Mary did not go from the house.

Webster's Revision

Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat in the house.

World English Bible

Then when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary stayed in the house.

English Revised Version (ERV)

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

Clarke's John 11:20 Bible Commentary

Martha - went and met him - Some suppose she was the eldest of the two sisters - she seems to have had the management of the house. See Luke 10:40.

Mary sat still in the house - It is likely that by this circumstance the evangelist intended to convey the idea of her sorrow and distress; because anciently afflicted persons were accustomed to put themselves in this posture, as expressive of their distress; their grief having rendered them as it were immovable. See Ezra 9:3, Ezra 9:4; Nehemiah 1:4; Psalm 137:1; Isaiah 47:1; Luke 1:79; and Matthew 27:61.

Barnes's John 11:20 Bible Commentary

Then Martha ... - To Martha was intrusted the management of the affairs of the family, Luke 10:40. It is probable that she first heard of his coming, and, without waiting to inform her sister, went immediately out to meet him. See John 11:28.

Sat still in the house - The word "still" is not in the original. It means that she remained sitting in the house. The common posture of grief among the Jews was that of sitting, Job 2:8; Ezekiel 8:14. Often this grief was so excessive as to fix the person in astonishment, and render him immovable, or prevent his being affected by any external objects. It is possible that the evangelist meant to intimate this of Mary's grief. Compare Ezra 9:3-4; Nehemiah 1:4; Isaiah 47:1.

Wesley's John 11:20 Bible Commentary

11:20 Mary sat in the house - Probably not hearing what was said.