John 11:5

5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.

John 11:5 Meaning and Commentary

John 11:5

Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
] Not only with an everlasting love, a love of complacency and delight, an unchangeable one, and which never varies, nor will ever end, with which he loves all his people alike; but with a very great human affection, and which was very singular and peculiar to them: these were the intimate friends, and familiar acquaintance of Christ, whom he often visited, at whose house he frequently was when in those parts; they were very hospitable to him; they kindly received him into their houses, and generously entertained him, and which he returned in love to them: hence Nonnus paraphrases the words,

``Jesus loved the women, (filoxeinouv) , "who were lovers of hospitality", by the law of kindness.''

John 11:5 In-Context

3 So the sisters sent to Him to say, "Master, he whom you hold dear is ill."

4 Jesus received the message and said, "This illness is not to end in death, but is to promote the glory of God, in order that the Son of God may be glorified by it."

5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.

6 When, however, He heard that Lazarus was ill, He still remained two days in that same place.

7 Then, after that, He said to the disciples, "Let us return to Judaea."