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Commentaries
English
John
  
28When he had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying quietly, "The teacher is here and is calling for you."29And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him.30Now Jesus had not yet come to the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him.31When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there.


Perhaps Jesus requested Martha to bring Mary to him, so that she might hear from him words of trust and comfort away from the din of the mourners. Thereby she would progress in faith through his love. Jesus conquers by the boldness of faith, not by pessimism and sorrow. He wished to bring the grieving Mary to the light of God’s presence, so that she might live and be spiritually active.
Mary may not have heard about Jesus’ coming, as she was drowning in sorrow. However, when Martha returned to her and told her that Jesus was asking for her, she rose anxiously and went to meet the Lord. So much that all those present were astonished at her conduct, asking whether she was going to the grave to weep. They all rose and followed her to the tomb, an illustration of human life that is marching on to perdition, swallowed by misery and gloom. While philosophy and religion cannot provide a correct answer to the problem of life or death, in death, the truth of the hope that a Christian has, becomes evident as well as his solid comfort.