John 11:1

Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.

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Interpretation

It is no new thing for those whom Christ loves, to be sick; bodily distempers correct the corruption, and try the graces of God's people.

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This thought runs through John 11:1-3.

Bethany Place: House of dates. (1. ) The Revised Version in John 1:28 has this word instead of Bethabara, on the authority of the oldest manuscripts. It appears to have been the name of a place on the east of Jordan. Modern identification: Al Eizariya.
Lazarus Person: An abbreviation of Eleazar, whom God helps. (1. ) The brother of Mary and Martha of Bethany. He was raised from the dead after he had lain four days in the tomb ( John 11:1-44 ).
Martha Person: Bitterness, the sister of Lazarus and Mary, and probably the eldest of the family, who all resided at Bethany ( Luke 10:38 , 40, 41; John 11:1-39 ).
Mary Person: Hebrew Miriam. (1. ) The wife of Joseph, the mother of Jesus, called the “Virgin Mary,” though never so designated in Scripture ( Matt. 2:11 ; Acts 1:14 ). Little is known of her personal history.