ὁ ὄχλος πολύς. Large caravans would be coming up for the Passover, and the news would spread quickly through the shifting crowds, who were already on the alert (John 11:55) about Jesus, and were now anxious to see Lazarus. It is the ‘large multitude of the Jews’ who come; i. e. of Christ’s usual opponents. This again (comp. John 11:45-47) excites the hierarchy to take decisive measures. See on John 12:12. But perhaps here and in John 12:12 ὄχλος πολύς is virtually a compound word, the common people of the Jews, as distinct from the leaders. Ὄχλος, in Cretan πόλχος, seems to be akin to vulgus and ‘folk.’

ὃν ἤγειρεν. See on John 12:1. These repeated references to the raising of Lazarus (John 11:45; John 11:47; John 12:1; John 12:9-10; John 12:17) greatly strengthen the historical evidence for the miracle. They are quite inconsistent with the theory either of a misunderstanding or of deliberate fraud.

Continues after advertising
Continues after advertising

Old Testament