Since this verse interrupts the flow of the narrative, Good News Translation and New American Bible place it as a parenthetical statement. This verse indicates, as mentioned in verse 20, that Martha met Jesus outside the village.

In some languages a subtle but complex problem is involved in the statement Jesus had not yet arrived in the village. A literal translation would suggest that Jesus was moving very slowly, since Martha was able to go out and meet him, return home, and speak to Mary while Jesus was approaching the village. There is no indication of whether Jesus was travelling slowly or remaining somewhere outside the village, but it may be necessary in some languages to say “Jesus had not yet come into the village.” This translation would focus upon Jesus’ location, rather than his rate of travel.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .