Chapter 6: Mary

Martha returned to the house and found Mary still sitting inside with the mourners. She leaned close and spoke quietly.

MARTHA“The Teacher is here and is calling for you.”— John 11:28

Mary got up immediately and went to Him. Jesus was still outside the village.

The mourners saw her leave and followed her, assuming she was going to the tomb to weep. That was the custom. When a mourner rose suddenly and left, you followed to offer support.

Mary reached Jesus, fell at His feet, and said the same words her sister had said.

MARY“Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”— John 11:32

Same sentence. But where Martha's version ended in faith, Mary's ended in tears. She was not standing and speaking. She was on the ground, weeping. And all the mourners who had followed her were weeping too.

Jesus saw all of it. And He was deeply moved. The original Greek word used here describes something closer to a groan from deep inside, not a gentle sadness but something that shook Him. He looked at the crowd and asked a simple question.

JESUS“Where have you laid him?”— John 11:34

MOURNERS“Lord, come and see.”— John 11:34

They began walking toward the tomb. And on that road, before He even arrived, Jesus wept.

The crowd watched Him weeping as they walked and some were moved.

MOURNER“See how He loved him.”— John 11:36

But others were not convinced.

ANOTHER MOURNER“Could not He who opened the eyes of the blind have kept this man from dying?”— John 11:37