Bible Strands
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator reports the immediate aftermath of Jesus’ arrival in Bethany, as news of His presence reaches Jerusalem. A large group of Jewish visitors arrives at the site to witness the event firsthand.
The words — The phrase ὄχλος πολὺς ἐκ τῶν Ἰουδαίων (ochlos polus ek tōn Ioudaiōn) literally translates to "a great crowd out of the Jews." The verb Ἔγνω (Egnō) records the crowd's factual awareness that Jesus had entered the area.
The thread — The crowd's desire to see Lazarus directly follows the resurrection account in John 11:43 and parallels how physical evidence prompted recognition in Acts 3:10 and Acts 4:14.
Why it lands — The text states that the crowd came for two distinct reasons: to see Jesus and to verify Lazarus's survival. Readers must acknowledge that physical miracles can generate widespread attention without automatically producing faithful obedience.
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
Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.
Cross-references
- Acts 4:14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing there with them, they had nothing to say in response.
- John 11:43 After Jesus had said this, He called out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”
- Acts 3:10 they recognized him as the man who used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.