Translation commentary on John 11:20

In this verse John states that Martha went out to meet Jesus, and in verse 30 that she met him before he came into the village. One cannot say for certain how Martha heard that Jesus was coming; verse 29 seems to imply that Mary had not heard of Jesus’ arrival.

When Martha heard that Jesus was coming must be understood in terms of hearing a report that Jesus was coming. It would be wrong to translate in a way that would suggest that Martha actually heard the noise of Jesus’ approach. One may translate, for example, “when Martha heard someone say that Jesus was coming” or “… had arrived nearby.”

Stayed in the house is literally “was sitting at home.” It was customary for persons in mourning to sit (Job 2.8; Ezek 8.14), as it was for these persons who came to offer comfort (Job 2.13).

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 .

SIL Translator’s Notes on John 11:20

Paragraph 11:20–27

Martha went to meet Jesus and expressed her faith and trust in him.

11:20a

Martha heard that Jesus was coming: Martha heard someone say that Jesus was on the way to Bethany. Possibly someone told her directly, or possibly she heard other people talking to each other. The phrase does not indicate how she heard.

Jesus was coming: Jesus was on the way to Bethany but had not yet arrived. Here is another way to translate this clause:

Jesus was on his way (Revised English Bible)

In some languages it is more natural to say where Jesus was coming to. For example:

Jesus was coming ⌊to the village of Bethany⌋

11:20b

she went out to meet Him: Martha left her house and went out of the village to where she hoped to find Jesus. Here is another way to translate this expression:

she went and met him (New Revised Standard Version)

11:20c

but: This word contrasts the fact that Martha went out to meet Jesus with the fact that Mary stayed in the house.

Mary stayed at home: Mary remained in the house where they lived. The Greek text more literally says, “Mary was sitting at home.” The custom of that time was for people to sit while they were mourning. Mary was sitting because she was mourning, not because she was lazy. If this is the custom of your culture and will be understood by your readers, you may want to follow the Greek. For example:

Mary remained sitting in the house (New Jerusalem Bible)

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