John 11:18,19

Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem,— The evangelist mentions the vicinity of Bethany to Jerusalem, and speaks of the company of friends that were with the two sisters, to shew that, by the direction of divine providence, this great miracle had many witnesses, some of whom were persons of note, and inhabitants of Jerusalem. See on ch. John 12:5. Our Saviour might have delayed his coming, amongst other reasons, in order to meet a greater number of persons assembled to condole with the sisters; and as these guests had met for that purpose, it is evident that they could not be any parties with Jesus in raising Lazarus from the dead: for the very end of their coming shewed that they had no apprehension of his being recalled to life; and the place whence they came, makes it probable, that they were rather enemies than friends to Jesus; and the sequel of the narrative shews, that many of them atleast were really so. The general time of mourning for deceased relations, both among Jews and Gentiles, was seven days: during these days of mourning, the friends and neighbours of the mourners visited them, to condole with and comfort them. Many therefore, in so populous a part of the country, must have been going to and coming from the sisters, while the days of their mourning for Lazarus lasted. The concourse too would be the greater, as it was the time of the passover; and besides, a great multitude now attended Jesus in his journey.