John 11:5

Now Jesus loved Martha The English Version loses much here, and still more in John 21:15-17, by using the same word -love" to translate two different Greek words: nor can the loss be remedied satisfactorily. The word used in John 11:3, philein(Lat. amare), denotes a passionate, emotional warmth, which loves and cares not to ask why; the affection of lovers, parents, and the like. The word used here agapân, (Lat. diligere), denotes a calm, discriminating attachment, which loves because of the excellence of the loved object; the affection of friends. Phileinis the stronger, but less reasoning; agapânthe more earnest, but less intense. The sisters naturally use the more emotional word, describing their own feeling towards their brother; the Evangelist equally naturally uses the loftier and less impulsive word. The fact that the sisters are here included is not the reason for the change of expression.

Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus The names are probably in order of age. This and John 11:19 confirm what is almost certain from Luke 10:38, that Martha is the elder sister.