John 11:19
And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
John 11:19
This verse notes that many Jews came to comfort Martha and Mary concerning their brother. In Jewish culture, mourning and communal lament are central practices; the arrival of mourners signals empathy and solidarity. The presence of a crowd also sets the stage for the public proclamation of faith and for Jesus to reveal his power in a dramatic way. The scene is thick with shared sorrow, yet it also opens a doorway for witness: those gathered who may be turned toward belief by the coming manifestation of Jesus’ glory.
The gathering of mourners emphasizes the universal human experience of grief and the Christian claim that Jesus meets us in our sorrow. It also reinforces the testimony environment in which Jesus often works: a community in need of revelation becomes a scene for divine intervention and belief.
- When grieving someone you love, invite others into your pain and witness, while remaining open to God’s shaping work in the midst.
- Use communal mourning as an opportunity to share hope in Christ and to invite others to trust him with their own sorrow.
Cross-References: Romans 12:15; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; 1 Thessalonians 4:13; Philippians 4:6-7