20. — [Then Martha. ..heard.. .Jesus.. .coming. ..met him.'] The Greek word for " was coming," would have been more literally trans- lated, " is coming," or, "comes," in the present tense. It then gives the idea that Martha received from some friend, servant, or watchman, who was on the lookout on the road from Jor- dan, the message long looked for, "Jesus is in sight:" " He is coming." She then hurried out, and met our Lord outside the village. The Greek is simply, "met Him;" and "went" is needless.
Bullinger thinks that Martha, with characteristic activity, was bustling after domestic duties, and heard from some one that Jesus was coming, and ran to meet Him, without going to tell Mary.
[But Mary sat still... house.'] While Martha hurried out to meet Jesus, Mary continued sitting in the house. Martha's " met" is a perfect tense ; Mary's " sat" is an imperfect. It is impossible not to see the characteristic temperament of each sister coming out here, and doubtless it is written for our learn- ing. Martha — active, stirring, busy, demonstrative — cannot wait, but runs impulsively to meet Jesus. Mary — quiet, gentle, pensive, meditative, contemplative, meek — sits passively at home. Yet I venture to think that of the two sisters, Martha here appears to most advantage. There is such a thing as being so crushed and stunned by our affliction that we do not adorn our profession under it. Is there not something of this in Mary's conduct throughout this chapter? There is a time to stir, as well as to sit still ; and here, by not stirring, Mary cer- tainly missed hearing our Lord's glorious declaration about Himself. I would not be mistaken in saying this. Both these holy women were true disciples; yet if Mary showed more grace on a former occasion than Martha, I think Martha here showed more than Mary.
Let us never forget that there are differences of temperament among believers, and let us make, due allowance for others if they are not quite like ourselves. There are believers who are quiet, passive, silent, and meditative; and believers who are active, stirring, and demonstrative. The well-ordered Church must find room, place, and work for all. We need Marys as well as Marthas, and Marthas as well as Marys.
Nothing brings out character so much as sickness and affliction. If we would know how much grace believers have, we should see them in trouble.
Let us remember that "sitting" was the attitude of a mourner, among the Jews. Thus Job's friends " sat down with him on the ground." (Job ii. 13.)
Henry remarks: "In the day of affliction Mary's contem- plative and reserved temper proved a snare to her, made her less able to grapple wi*h grief, and disposed her to melancholy.