Bible Strands
John 12:2
So they hosted a dinner for Jesus there. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Him.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records a meal prepared in Bethany six days before the Passover, with Jesus as the honored guest and Lazarus among those reclining. Martha performs the function of server while the host and other guests occupy the table.
The words — ἐποίησαν (epoiēsan) means "they made," and δεῖπνον (deipnon) translates as "a supper." These terms denote the deliberate preparation and timing of the formal meal for Jesus.
The thread — The dynamics of hosting Jesus and the tension between serving and reclining appear in Luke 10:38 and Luke 22:27, while the motif of Christ dining with believers is stated in Revelation 3:20.
Why it lands — The text places a man raised from the dead at a dinner table alongside his sister, requiring the reader to note the concrete arrangement of host, server, and guest. It asks the reader to observe how ordinary hospitality functions in the physical presence of Jesus without adding theological commentary.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
Cross-references
- Luke 22:27 For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines? But I am among you as one who serves.
- Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.
- Luke 10:38 As they traveled along, Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.
- Mark 14:3 While Jesus was in Bethany reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke open the jar and poured it on Jesus’ head.
- John 12:9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews learned that Jesus was there. And they came not only because of Him, but also to see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.
- Matthew 26:6 While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper,
- Luke 12:37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds on watch when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve and will have them recline at the table, and he himself will come and wait on them.
- John 11:43 After Jesus had said this, He called out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”
- Luke 5:29 Then Levi hosted a great banquet for Jesus at his house. A large crowd of tax collectors was there, along with others who were eating with them.
- Luke 14:12 Then Jesus said to the man who had invited Him, “When you host a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or brothers or relatives or rich neighbors. Otherwise, they may invite you in return, and you will be repaid.