John 11:45

Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. THEN MANY (OR, 'MANY THEREFORE') OF THE JEWS WHICH CAME (OR 'HAD COME') TO MARY (AS SYMPATHIZING FRIENDS), AND HAD SEEN THE THINGS WHICH JESUS DID, BELIEVED ON HIM. These were of the candid class, on whom the effect of so stupendous a miracle, done before their own eyes, could not but be resistless. See the notes at John 12:9....

45._Many therefore of the Jews believed on him. _Christ did not permit the miracle which he had wrought to be without fruit, for by means of it he drew some persons to the faith. For we ought to understand that miracles have a twofold use. They are intended either to prepare us for faith, or to confirm us in faith. The former is here denoted by the Evangelist; for he means that those of whom he speaks regarded Christ with admiration and reverence, so as to submit to be his disciples; otherwise the bare miracle could not have been sufficient to produce faith. Accordingly, by the word _believe _we must not suppose anything else to be meant than a willingness to embrace the doctrine of Christ....

33-46 Christ's tender sympathy with these afflicted friends, appeared by the troubles of his spirit. In all the afflictions of believers he is afflicted. His concern for them was shown by his kind inquiry after the remains of his deceased friend. Being found in fashion as a man, he acts in the way and manner of the sons of men. It was shown by his tears. He was a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. Tears of compassion resemble those of Christ. But Christ never approved that sensibility of which many are proud, while they weep at mere tales of distress, but are hardened to real woe. He sets us an example to withdraw from scenes of giddy mirth, that we may comfort the afflicted. And we have not a High Priest who cannot be touched with a feeling of our infirmities. It is a good step toward raising a soul to spiritual life, when the stone is taken away, when prejudices are removed, a...

Verse 45. _MANY OF THE JEWS - BELIEVED ON HIM._] They saw that the miracle was incontestable; and they were determined to resist the truth no longer. Their friendly visit to these distressed sisters became the means of their conversion. How true is the saying of the wise man, _It is better to go to the house of mourning than to_ _the house of feasting_! Ecclesiastes 7:2. God never permits men to do any thing, through a principle of kindness to others, without making it instrumental of good to themselves. _He that watereth shall be_ _watered also himself_, Proverbs 11:25. Therefore, let no man withhold good, while it is in the power of his hand to do it. Proverbs 3:27....

EXPOSITION JOHN 11:1 7. _Christ the Antagonist of death—a victory of love and power_._ _The narrative of this chapter is a further advance in the proof that the unbelief of the Jews was aggravated by the greatness of the revelation. The issue of his sublime and culminating act of power, of his supreme and self-revealing work of transcendent tenderness and beauty, was a deeper and wilder passion of hatred. The evangelist completes his series of seven great miracles with one that in true and believing minds, evokes a new sense of the glory of God. This great last sign corresponds with the first (John it.) by being enacted amid the domestic and family life of a small and insignificant town, and also by express reference to the veritable manifestation involved in it of the δόξα Θεοῦ, on which we have frequently commented. Baur

THEN MANY OF THE JEWS WHICH CAME TO MARY,.... To her house, to comfort her, and that came along with her to the grave: AND HAD SEEN THE THINGS WHICH JESUS DID; in raising the dead body of Lazarus, and causing him to walk, though bound in grave clothes: BELIEVED ON HIM; that he was the true Messiah: such an effect the miracle had on them; so that it was a happy day for them, that they came from Jerusalem to Bethany to pay this visit....

Our Lord's greatest miracles were ever the reward of faith. John 11:27. _She saith unto him, Yea, Lord I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come unto the world._ By which she as good as said, «I believe that, and I believe everything else. I have an implicit faith in thee. Whatever thou sayest, whatever thou hast said or shalt say, I am prepared to believe it all. for I believe in thee. I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.» John 11:28. _And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly,_ Because she knew that the Jews hated the Saviour, she could not tell what would come of it if they knew of his coming, so she whispers to her:...

CHAPTER 11 _ 1. The Sickness of Lazarus Announced. (John 11:1 .)_ 2. The Delayed Departure and the Death of Lazarus. (John 11:5 .) 3. The Arrival at Bethany. (John 11:17 .) 4. Weeping with Them That Weep. (John 11:28 .) 5. The Resurrection of Lazarus. (John 11:39 .) 6. The Prophecy of Caiaphas. (John 11:47 .) 7. Seeking to Kill Him. (John 11:53 .)...

THE RESULTS OF THE MIRACLE. The majority of the Jews who came to comfort the sisters were convinced, but some remained hostile, and gave information to the Pharisees. The chief priests, _i.e._ the Sadducees, always first when action is needed, and the Pharisees, summon a council. In face of the growing number of adherents their inaction is felt to be unsatisfactory. If it leads to civil disturbance, the Romans will intervene and hold them responsible for their failure to maintain order. Caiaphas, the High Priest of that year, the notable year of the Passion, demands a policy which he pretends to be necessary in the interests of the nation. One must die rather than the whole nation perish. In this the author sees an unconscious prophecy. Jesus would indeed die on behalf of the nation, and of all God's children scattered throughout the world. That the author supposed the High Priesthood to...

THE SANHEDRIM IN SESSION (JOHN 11:45-57). 45. Many of the Jews who came to Mary. Verse 19 speaks of many Jews of Jerusalem who came to the house of Martha and Mary. Verse 31 speaks of them remaining in the house with Mary and following her when she went forth; now, therefore, they are named in connection with her. BELIEVED ON HIM. They had seen what had been done and were compelled to believe that Jesus was. man of God....