was just dead ; the son of the widow of Nain was being carried to the grave ; Lazarus, the most extraordinary case of all, had been four days in the tomb.
The expression, " He found," in this . verse, must not be thought to imply any surprise. We know that our Lord begun His journey from Bethabara with a full knowledge that Lazarus was dead. What " He found " applies to Lazarus therefore, and to the precise length of time that he had been in the grave. He v.as not only dead, but buried.
We can well imagine what a sorrowful time those four days must have been to Martha and Mary, and how many thoughts must have crossed their minds as to the reason of our Lord's delay, as to the day He would come, and the like. Nothing so wears us down as suspense and uncertainty. Yet of all graces there is none so glorifying to God and sanctifying to the heart as that of patience or quietly waiting. How long Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and David were kept waiting! Jesus loves to show the world that His people can wait. Martha and Mary had to exemplify this. Well if we can do likewise !
Gomarus discusses at length the curious question, where the soul of Lazarus was during those four days. He dismisses as unscriptural the idea that it was yet in the body, and seems to hold that it was in Paradise.
The " four days " are easily accounted for, if we remember the time occupied by the messenger from Bethany, the two days' delay at Bethabara, and the journey to Bethany.
18. — [Now Bethany. ..nigh. ..Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off."] This verse shows that John wrote for readers who were not ac- quainted with Palestine. According to his manner he gives a parenthetical description of the situation of Bethany, partly to show how very near to Jerusalem the wonderful miracle he re- lates was worked, — within a walk of the temple, and almost within view ; and partly to account for the number of the Jews who came from Jerusalem to comfort Martha and Mary.
The distance, fifteen furlongs, is rather less than two miles. The use of the expression, "about," shows that the Holy Ghost condescends to use man's common form of language in describ- ing things, and that such expressions are not inconsistent with inspiration. (See John ii. 6, and vi. 19.)
19. — [And many Jews... came... Mary. ,] This sentence would be more literally rendered, u Many from among the Jews had come to those around Martha and Mary." Who these Jews were it 19 impossible to say, except that they evidently came from Jerusa- lem. One can hardly suppose that they were the leaders and rulers of the Pharisees. Such men would not be likely to care for friends of Jesus, and would hardly have condescended to visit Martha and Mary, who were doubtless known to be His
° disciples. Of course it is possible that Simon the leper, in