George Hutcheson
THis Chapter contains the history of Christs returne into Judea, from which he had retired himselfe Ch, 10 39 40. and a famous miracle, of raising Lazarus from the dead, wrought at his returne together with some effects and consequents that followed thereupon. The Chapter may be taken up in three parts. 1. The Antecedents of the miracle, some whereof are privious to his return to Judea, ver. 1. — 16. some of them fell forth after he came near to Bethany, and before he came to Lazarus grave, ver. 17.—37. and some of them, at the grave, before the miracle was wrought, ver. 38. — 42. 2. The miracle it selfe, ver. 43, 14. 3. The effects and consequents thereof, both in the spectatours, and in the chiefe Rulers of the Jewes, and in Christ himselfe, ver. 45.—57.
1 NOw a certaine man was sicke, named Lazarus of Bethany, the towne of Mary, and her sister Martha.
2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with oyntment, and wiped his feet with her haire, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
This being one of the greatest and most famous miracles, and being one of the last wrought by Christ, upon occasion whereof many passages of divine providence are manifested, and much precious doctrine published; Therefore the Antecedents thereof are so largely insisted on. And the Antecedents previous to his returne, may be taken up in these, 1. A remote occasion of his return, and Antecedent of the miracle which is Lazarus sicknesse, ver. 1, 2. 2. A nearer occasion of his returne, which was a message sent to Christ in behalfe of sick Lazarus, ver. 3. 3. Christs present return to this message, both in word, ver. 4. and action, ver. 5, 6. 4. is preparation at last to return, with his conference with, and trial of the disciples in that matter, verse 7. — 16.
In these verses (which contain a remote occasion of his return, and antecedent of the miracle) we have a description of the person on whom it was wrought, 1. From his name Lazarus, the same, as appears, with, Eleazar. 2. From his condition, he was sick, or infirme, as the Word imports. 3. From the place of his habitation, and friends; He was of Bethany, a village near to Jerusalem, ver. 18. and Mary and Martha, (of whom Luk. 10.38, 39) were his sisters, as afterward appears. This village is called Mary and Martha’s town, because they were born there, as Joh. 1.44. or, because indeed it was Lazarus and their property, and so they are afterward visited by them of Jerusalem, as persons of respect; and the sisters get the name of it, because they have been spoken of before, Luk 10.38. and so are better known in this history, then Lazarus yet was. Or, the reason of this designation is, rather because whoever was Master of this village, yet they are most eminent of any in it, in Christs account, they being godly, and he having been entertained there. 4. To make this description more clear, and because there are several Maries mentioned in the Gospel; therefore John describes this Mary the sister of Lazarus from a particular practice of hers, ver. 2. Which doth not relate to that history, Luk. 7.37 38. which was done by another woman, but to that which is afterward mentioned, Joh. 12.3, &c. And albeit that was done after Lazarus sicknesse and restitution, in order of time; Yet John who wrote the History long after, doth here record it by way of anticipation. Doctrine 1. As the Lords children are not exempted from ordinary trials, and are never well but when they have some exercise or other: So, their being under exercise is a mean to make both their honesty, and Gods love to them, not our; for, Lazarus, a friend of Christ, was sick, and albeit he was a good man, yet there is no mention of him in the former history, Luk. 10. but only of his sisters, till now that he is sick, and then he is taken notice of, and Christs love to him registrate. 2. Whatever [bulk] Saints do bear in the world, yet they be ratifie the place where they dwell, and their house who entertain Christ, is most eminent in his account, were it never so mean otherwise; for, this is the character Christ gives of Bethany, it is the town of Mary, and her sister Martha. It is needlesse to assert that Martha, who it seems was the eldest, Luk 10.38. is named after Mary the youngest, because Mary was most eminent in piety, which Christ respects above all; for in the 5th. ver. we finde this order inverted, and Martha placed first. 3. Christian friends, especially if they be also near in relation, are useful helps in a day of trial; Therefore is mention made of Mary and Martha, upon occasion of Lazarus sicknesse, because they were useful and eminent in the following passages, relating to their brothers recovery. See Eccles. 4.9, 10, 11, 12. 4 As for that practice of Mary, recorded ver. 2. seeing it is only mentioned here to distinguish her from others, I shall remit it to the proper place, Chap. 12. Only we may gather from it. 1. The Lord will not suffer mens actions to die with them; and particularly, A good turn done to Christ, will not be forgotten of him; Therefore, according to that promise, Matth. 26.13. that this should be told of her, John doth here, on this occasion, record it. 2. Love to Christ is that which God takes especial notice of, and which doth commend them who have it; for, it was an act of Maries love, which is so diligently recorded. 3. It is the will of God, that posterity take notice of the eminent graces that have shined in Saints, that they may imitate them; for, this is recorded not only to her commendation, but that Christs commending it, and the savour thereof, may invite others to imitate her.
