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Selected Verse: John 12:2 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Joh 12:2	Strong Concordance	There [1563] [3767] they made [4160] him [846] a supper [1173]; and [2532] Martha [3136] served [1247]: but [1161] Lazarus [2976] was [2258] one [1520] of them that sat at the table [4873] with him [846].
	King James	There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
Martha served--This, with what is afterwards said of Mary's way of honoring her Lord, is so true to the character in which those two women appear in Luk 10:38-42, as to constitute one of the strongest and most delightful confirmations of the truth of both narratives. (See also on Joh 11:20). Lazarus . . . sat at the table--"Between the raised Lazarus and the healed leper (Simon, Mar 14:3), the Lord probably sits as between two trophies of His glory" [STIER].

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

Martha served--This, with what is afterwards said of Mary's way of honoring her Lord, is so true to the character in which those two women appear in Luk 10:38-42, as to constitute one of the strongest and most delightful confirmations of the truth of both narratives. (See also on Joh 11:20).

Lazarus . . . sat at the table--"Between the raised Lazarus and the healed leper (Simon, Mar 14:3), the Lord probably sits as between two trophies of His glory" [STIER].

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
See this passage explained in the notes at Mat 26:3-16. Joh 12:2 A supper - At the house of Simon the leper, Mat 26:6. Lazarus was ... - The names of Martha and Lazarus are mentioned because it was not in their own house, but in that of Simon. Lazarus is particularly mentioned, since it was so remarkable that one who had been once dead should be enjoying again the endearments of friendship. This shows, also, that his resurrection was no illusion - that he was really restored to the blessings of life and friendship. Calmet thinks that this was about two months after his resurrection, and it is the last that we hear of him. How long he lived is unknown, nor is it recorded that he made any communication about the world of spirits. It is remarkable that none who have been restored to life from the dead have made any communications respecting that world. See Luk 16:31, and the notes at Co2 12:4. Joh 12:4 Which should betray him - Greek, "who was to betray him" - that is, who would do it. Joh 12:5 Three hundred pence - About 40,00, or 8 British pounds, 10 shillings (circa 1880's). And given to the poor - The avails or value of it given to the poor. Joh 12:6 Had the bag - The word translated "bag" is compounded of two words, meaning "tongue," and "to keep or preserve." It was used to denote the bag in which musicians used to keep the tongues or reeds of their pipes when traveling. Hence, it came to mean any bag or purse in which travelers put their money or their most precious articles. The disciples appear to have had such a bag or purse in common, in which they put whatever money they had, and which was designed especially for the poor, Luk 8:3; Joh 13:29; Act 2:44. The keeping of this, it seems, was intrusted to Judas; and it is remarkable that the only one among them who appears to have been naturally avaricious should have received this appointment. It shows us that every man is tried according to his native propensity. This is the object of trial - to bring out man's native character; and every man will find opportunity to do evil according to his native disposition, if he is inclined, to it. And bare ... - The word translated "bare" means literally "to carry as a burden." Then it means "to carry away," as in Joh 20:15; "If thou hast borne him hence." Hence, it means to carry away as a thief does, and this is evidently its meaning here. It has this sense often in classic writers. Judas was a thief and stole what was put into the bag. The money he desired to be entrusted to him, that he might secretly enrich himself. It is clear, however, that the disciples did not at this time know that this was his character, or they would have remonstrated against him. They learned it afterward. We may learn here: 1. that it is not a new thing for members of the church to be covetous. Judas was so before them. 2. that such members will be those who complain of the great waste in spreading the gospel. 3. that this deadly, mean, and grovelling passion will work all evil in a church. It brought down the curse of God on the children of Israel in the case of Achan Josh. 7, and it betrayed our Lord to death. It has often since brought blighting on the church; and many a time it has betrayed the cause of Christ, and drowned men in destruction and perdition, Ti1 6:9.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

See this passage explained in the notes at Mat 26:3-16.

Joh 12:2

A supper - At the house of Simon the leper, Mat 26:6.

Lazarus was ... - The names of Martha and Lazarus are mentioned because it was not in their own house, but in that of Simon. Lazarus is particularly mentioned, since it was so remarkable that one who had been once dead should be enjoying again the endearments of friendship. This shows, also, that his resurrection was no illusion - that he was really restored to the blessings of life and friendship. Calmet thinks that this was about two months after his resurrection, and it is the last that we hear of him. How long he lived is unknown, nor is it recorded that he made any communication about the world of spirits. It is remarkable that none who have been restored to life from the dead have made any communications respecting that world. See Luk 16:31, and the notes at Co2 12:4.

Joh 12:4

Which should betray him - Greek, "who was to betray him" - that is, who would do it.

Joh 12:5

Three hundred pence - About 40,00, or 8 British pounds, 10 shillings (circa 1880's).

And given to the poor - The avails or value of it given to the poor.

Joh 12:6

Had the bag - The word translated "bag" is compounded of two words, meaning "tongue," and "to keep or preserve." It was used to denote the bag in which musicians used to keep the tongues or reeds of their pipes when traveling. Hence, it came to mean any bag or purse in which travelers put their money or their most precious articles. The disciples appear to have had such a bag or purse in common, in which they put whatever money they had, and which was designed especially for the poor, Luk 8:3; Joh 13:29; Act 2:44. The keeping of this, it seems, was intrusted to Judas; and it is remarkable that the only one among them who appears to have been naturally avaricious should have received this appointment. It shows us that every man is tried according to his native propensity. This is the object of trial - to bring out man's native character; and every man will find opportunity to do evil according to his native disposition, if he is inclined, to it.

And bare ... - The word translated "bare" means literally "to carry as a burden." Then it means "to carry away," as in Joh 20:15; "If thou hast borne him hence." Hence, it means to carry away as a thief does, and this is evidently its meaning here. It has this sense often in classic writers. Judas was a thief and stole what was put into the bag. The money he desired to be entrusted to him, that he might secretly enrich himself. It is clear, however, that the disciples did not at this time know that this was his character, or they would have remonstrated against him. They learned it afterward. We may learn here:

1. that it is not a new thing for members of the church to be covetous. Judas was so before them.

2. that such members will be those who complain of the great waste in spreading the gospel.

3. that this deadly, mean, and grovelling passion will work all evil in a church. It brought down the curse of God on the children of Israel in the case of Achan Josh. 7, and it betrayed our Lord to death. It has often since brought blighting on the church; and many a time it has betrayed the cause of Christ, and drowned men in destruction and perdition, Ti1 6:9.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
It seems Martha was a person of some figure, from the great respect which was paid to her and her sister, in visits and condolences on Lazarus's death, as well as from the costly ointment mentioned in the next verse. And probably it was at their house our Lord and his disciples lodged, when he returned from Jerusalem to Bethany, every evening of the last week of his life, upon which he was now entered.

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³ And [2532] being [846] [5607] in [1722] Bethany [963] in [1722] the house [3614] of Simon [4613] the leper [3015], as he [846] sat at meat [2621], there came [2064] a woman [1135] having [2192] an alabaster box [211] of ointment [3464] of spikenard [3487] [4101] very precious [4185]; and [2532] she brake [4937] the box [211], and poured [2708] it on [2596] his [846] head [2776].

²⁰ Then [3767] Martha [3136], as soon as [5613] she heard [191] that [3754] Jesus [2424] was coming [2064], went and met [5221] him [846]: but [1161] Mary [3137] sat [2516] still in [1722] the house [3624].

³⁸ Now [1161] it came to pass [1096], as [1722] they [846] went [4198], that [2532] he [846] entered [1525] into [1519] a certain [5100] village [2968]: and [1161] a certain [5100] woman [1135] named [3686] Martha [3136] received [5264] him [846] into [1519] her [846] house [3624].
³⁹ And [2532] she [3592] had [2258] a sister [79] called [2564] Mary [3137], which [3739] also [2532] sat [3869] at [3844] Jesus [2424]' feet [4228], and heard [191] his [846] word [3056].
⁴⁰ But [1161] Martha [3136] was cumbered [4049] about [4012] much [4183] serving [1248], and [1161] came to him [2186], and said [2036], Lord [2962], dost [3199] thou [4671] not [3756] care [3199] that [3754] my [3450] sister [79] hath left [2641] me [3165] to serve [1247] alone [3441]? bid [2036] her [846] therefore [3767] that [2443] she help [4878] me [3427].
⁴¹ And [1161] Jesus [2424] answered [611] and said [2036] unto her [846], Martha [3136], Martha [3136], thou art careful [3309] and [2532] troubled [5182] about [4012] many things [4183]:
⁴² But [1161] one thing [1520] is [2076] needful [5532]: and [1161] Mary [3137] hath chosen [1586] that good [18] part [3310], which [3748] shall [851] not [3756] be taken away [851] from [575] her [846].

⁹ But [1161] they that will [1014] be rich [4147] fall [1706] into [1519] temptation [3986] and [2532] a snare [3803], and [2532] into many [4183] foolish [453] and [2532] hurtful [983] lusts [1939], which [3748] drown [1036] men [444] in [1519] destruction [3639] and [2532] perdition [684].

¹⁵ Jesus [2424] saith [3004] unto her [846], Woman [1135], why [5101] weepest thou [2799]? whom [5101] seekest thou [2212]? She [1565], supposing [1380] [3754] him to be [2076] the gardener [2780], saith [3004] unto him [846], Sir [2962], if [1487] thou [4771] have borne [941] him [846] hence [941], tell [2036] me [3427] where [4226] thou hast laid [5087] him [846], and I [2504] will take [142] him [846] away [142].

⁴⁴ And [1161] all [3956] that believed [4100] were [2258] together [1909] [846], and [2532] had [2192] all things [537] common [2839];

²⁹ For [1063] some [5100] of them thought [1380], because [1893] Judas [2455] had [2192] the bag [1101], that [3754] Jesus [2424] had said [3004] unto him [846], Buy [59] those things that [3739] we have [2192] need of [5532] against [1519] the feast [1859]; or [2228], that [2443] he should give [1325] something [5100] to the poor [4434].

³ And [2532] Joanna [2489] the wife [1135] of Chuza [5529] Herod's [2264] steward [2012], and [2532] Susanna [4677], and [2532] many [4183] others [2087], which [3748] ministered [1247] unto him [846] of [575] their [846] substance [5224].

⁶ [1161] This [5124] he said [2036], not [3756] that [3754] he [846] cared [3199] for [4012] the poor [4434]; but [235] because [3754] he was [2258] a thief [2812], and [2532] had [2192] the bag [1101], and [2532] bare [941] what was put therein [906].

⁵ Why [1302] was [4097] not [3756] this [5124] ointment [3464] sold [4097] for three hundred [5145] pence [1220], and [2532] given [1325] to the poor [4434]?

⁴ Then [3767] saith [3004] one [1520] of [1537] his [846] disciples [3101], Judas [2455] Iscariot [2469], Simon's [4613] son, which [3588] should [3195] betray [3860] him [846],

⁴ How that [3754] he was caught up [726] into [1519] paradise [3857], and [2532] heard [191] unspeakable [731] words [4487], which [3739] it is [1832] not [3756] lawful [1832] for a man [444] to utter [2980].

³¹ And [1161] he said [2036] unto him [846], If [1487] they hear [191] not [3756] Moses [3475] and [2532] the prophets [4396], neither [3761] will they be persuaded [3982], though [1437] one [5100] rose [450] from [1537] the dead [3498].

⁶ Now [1161] when Jesus [2424] was [1096] in [1722] Bethany [963], in [1722] the house [3614] of Simon [4613] the leper [3015],

² There [1563] [3767] they made [4160] him [846] a supper [1173]; and [2532] Martha [3136] served [1247]: but [1161] Lazarus [2976] was [2258] one [1520] of them that sat at the table [4873] with him [846].

³ Then [5119] assembled together [4863] the chief priests [749], and [2532] the scribes [1122], and [2532] the elders [4245] of the people [2992], unto [1519] the palace [833] of the high priest [749], who [3588] was called [3004] Caiaphas [2533],
⁴ And [2532] consulted [4823] that [2443] they might take [2902] Jesus [2424] by subtilty [1388], and [2532] kill [615] him.
⁵ But [1161] they said [3004], Not [3361] on [1722] the feast [1859] day, lest [3363] there be [1096] an uproar [2351] among [1722] the people [2992].
⁶ Now [1161] when Jesus [2424] was [1096] in [1722] Bethany [963], in [1722] the house [3614] of Simon [4613] the leper [3015],
⁷ There came [4334] unto him [846] a woman [1135] having [2192] an alabaster box [211] of very precious [927] ointment [3464], and [2532] poured it [2708] on [1909] his [846] head [2776], as he sat [345] at meat.
⁸ But [1161] when his [846] disciples [3101] saw [1492] it, they had indignation [23], saying [3004], To [1519] what purpose [5101] is this [3778] waste [684]?
⁹ For [1063] this [5124] ointment [3464] might [1410] have been sold [4097] for much [4183], and [2532] given [1325] to the poor [4434].
¹⁰ When [1161] Jesus [2424] understood [1097] it, he said [2036] unto them [846], Why [5101] trouble ye [2873] [3930] the woman [1135]? for [1063] she hath wrought [2038] a good [2570] work [2041] upon [1519] me [1691].
¹¹ For [1063] ye have [2192] the poor [4434] always [3842] with [3326] you [1438]; but [1161] me [1691] ye have [2192] not [3756] always [3842].
¹² For in that [1063] she [3778] [846] hath poured [906] this [5124] ointment [3464] on [1909] my [3450] body [4983], she did [4160] it for [4314] my [3165] burial [1779].
¹³ Verily [281] I say [3004] unto you [5213], Wheresoever [3699] [1437] this [5124] gospel [2098] shall be preached [2784] in [1722] the whole [3650] world [2889], there shall also [2532] this, that [3739] this woman [3778] [846] hath done [4160], be told [2980] for [1519] a memorial [3422] of her [846].
¹⁴ Then [5119] one [1520] of the twelve [1427], called [3004] Judas [2455] Iscariot [2469], went [4198] unto [4314] the chief priests [749],
¹⁵ And said [2036] unto them, What [5101] will ye [2309] give [1325] me [3427], and [2504] I will deliver [3860] him [846] unto you [5213]? And [1161] they covenanted [2476] with him [846] for thirty [5144] pieces of silver [694].
¹⁶ And [2532] from [575] that time [5119] he sought [2212] opportunity [2120] to [2443] betray [3860] him [846].