John 12:9 · Bible study
John 12:9 Commentary: Mixed Motives and the Miracle of Lazarus
Greek · 9 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why did the crowd come to see Lazarus? This study examines mixed motives, the growing opposition, and what this reveals about belief.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The crowd came out of curiosity to see both Jesus and Lazarus, revealing mixed motives that lead to faith or opposition.
- Key words: “learned” (ἔγνω), acquired knowledge; “crowd” (ὄχλος), the common people; “see” (ἴδωσιν), perceive with a purpose.
- Main debate: Whether the crowd’s curiosity was a stepping stone to faith or merely a fascination with the miraculous.
- Theological theme: The power of resurrection signs to gather and divide.
- Best use: A pastoral reflection on the motives behind our pursuit of God.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews learned that Jesus was there. And they came not only because of Him, but also to see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.
WEB World English Bible 2000
A large crowd therefore of the Jews learned that he was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.
KJV King James Version 1769
Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
The common people therefore of the Jews learned that he was there: and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
A great multitude, therefore, of the Jews knew that he is there, and they came, not because of Jesus only, but that Lazarus also they may see, whom he raised out of the dead;
Darby Darby Bible 1890
A great crowd therefore of the Jews knew that he was there; and they came, not because of Jesus only, but also that they might see Lazarus whom he raised from among [the] dead.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
A great multitude therefore of the Jews knew that he was there; and they came, not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Entonces mucha gente de los Judíos entendió que él estaba allí; y vinieron no solamente por causa de Jesús, mas también por ver á Lázaro, al cual había resucitado de los muertos.
Muita gente dos judeus soube pois, que ele estava ali; e vieram, não somente por causa de Jesus, mas também para verem a Lázaro, a quem ressuscitara dos mortos.
Une grande multitude de Juifs apprirent que Jésus était à Béthanie; et ils y vinrent, non pas seulement à cause de lui, mais aussi pour voir Lazare, qu’ il avait ressuscité des morts.
Da erfuhr viel Volks der Juden, daß er daselbst war; und sie kamen nicht um Jesu willen allein, sondern daß sie auch Lazarus sähen, welchen er von den Toten auferweckt hatte.
Een grote schare dan der Joden verstond, dat Hij aldaar was; en zij kwamen, niet alleen om Jezus' wil, maar opdat zij ook Lazarus zouden zien, dien Hij uit de doden opgewekt had.
La gran folla dei Giudei seppe dunque ch’egli era quivi; e vennero non solo a motivo di Gesù, ma anche per vedere Lazzaro che egli avea risuscitato dai morti.
Dowiedział się tedy lud wielki z Żydów, iż tam był, i przyszli nie tylko dla Jezusa, ale też aby Łazarza widzieli, którego był wzbudził od umarłych.
Многие из Иудеев узнали, что Он там, и пришли не только для Иисуса, но чтобы видеть и Лазаря, которого Он воскресил из мертвых.
有許多 猶太 人 知道 耶穌在 那裡， 就來了，不 但 是為 耶穌的緣故，也 是 要看 他從 死 裡所復活 的拉撒路。
Then a great number of the Jews had news that he was there: and they came, not only because of Jesus, but so that they might see Lazarus who had been dead and to whom he had given life.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · John 12:9
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators broadly agree that the crowd in this verse came with mixed motives. Calvin notes that the raising of Lazarus “had acquired great celebrity” and that God intended it to have many witnesses. Gill observes that many Jerusalem Jews came “not for Jesus’ sake only” but also to see Lazarus firsthand. The Cambridge Bible adds that this crowd consisted of Christ’s “usual opponents,” yet their curiosity drove them to Bethany. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown emphasize that they came to see “dead Lazarus alive,” which led to greater faith for some and hardened opposition from the chief priests. The consensus is that this verse sits at a turning point: the miracle draws attention, but the motives of the crowd reveal a mix of genuine interest and mere spectacle. Vincent’s note on the article, the best texts read “the common people”, suggests that this was no elite group but the ordinary populace, stirred by rumor and wonder.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Curiosity seekers: They came not only for Jesus but to see Lazarus, indicating mixed motives (v.9).
- Potential believers: Many of the Jews believed in Jesus because of Lazarus (v.11).
- Opponents in disguise: The Cambridge Bible identifies them as Christ’s usual opponents.
What is clear: The crowd’s arrival and the subsequent belief and opposition show that the resurrection of Lazarus was a dividing point.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| The crowd’s identity | They were from Jerusalem, ordinary people. | Whether they were hostile to Jesus (Cambridge says “usual opponents”) or open (many believed, John 12:11). |
| The motive for coming | Curiosity about Lazarus. | Whether this curiosity was genuine interest in Jesus or just sensationalism. |
| The role of the miracle | The raising of Lazarus drew attention. | Whether this led to saving faith or merely temporary excitement. |
| The opposition’s reaction | The chief priests conspired to kill Lazarus. | Whether this was purely political or also spiritual hatred. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Jerusalem was filling with Passover pilgrims. Gill reminds us that Bethany was only about two miles from the city, so news traveled quickly. When the crowd “learned” (ἔγνω, a verb Vincent says means “came to know”) that Jesus was there, they set out from Jerusalem. Clarke notes that John, a Galilean, often uses “Jews” to refer to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. These were locals who had heard about Lazarus. The Cambridge Bible explains that large caravans coming up for the Passover made news spread fast.
The crowd’s eagerness to see Lazarus shows that the raising from the dead was not a private event, it had become a public spectacle. Acts 3:10, 11 describes a similar wonder when people recognized the healed lame man and ran together in amazement. Here too, people flocked to behold evidence of divine power. But this attention triggered the chief priests’ plot to kill Lazarus as well (John 12:10). The historical context is one of mounting tension: Jesus’ final week, an undeniable miracle, a religious establishment feeling threatened. The crowd’s mixed motives, curiosity about a miracle worker and desire to see a man raised from the dead, reflect both the excitement and the confusion of the Passover season.
Textual Notes
Vincent notes that the best Greek manuscripts include the definite article before “crowd” (ὁ ὄχλος), making it “the common people” rather than simply “much people.” This minor variant shifts the nuance: the crowd is not a faceless throng but specifically the ordinary populace, as opposed to the religious leaders. No other significant textual variants are mentioned in the supplied sources.
Reception History
Throughout church history, this verse has been read as a window into human response to the miraculous. Early preachers saw Lazarus as a living sign of Christ’s power over death. Calvin used the verse to show how God prepares faith by spreading news of a miracle, even among those who later oppose. Matthew Henry read it as a preface to Christ’s final journey to the cross. In the Wesleyan tradition, Adam Clarke sharpened the distinction between Jerusalem Jews and Galilean disciples. The verse continues to challenge readers to examine whether they are drawn by the spectacle or by the Savior himself, a tension that resonates across eras.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Curiosity draws the crowd, but curiosity alone is not faith.
- The miracle of Lazarus is a sign that demands a response, belief or rejection.
- Mixed motives reveal the state of our hearts, do we come for Jesus or for what he can do?
Five-point outline
- The crowd learns Jesus is in Bethany, news travels fast when God is at work.
- They come not only for Jesus but also to see Lazarus, genuine interest mixed with spectacle.
- Lazarus himself becomes a living testimony, a man raised from the dead.
- Many believed in Jesus because of this, the sign produces faith.
- The religious leaders respond with deadly opposition, the light exposes the darkness.
Illustration hooks
- People attending a concert not to hear the music but to see a celebrity in the audience.
- Family gatherings where some come out of duty, others for the food, and a few to truly connect.
- Church visitors who come for healing or a miracle rather than to know Jesus himself.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why do I come to church? Is it for Jesus or for the community, the music, the answers to my problems?
- What signs in my life am I ignoring because I’m more focused on the spectacle than the Savior?
- How can I move from curiosity about God to genuine faith?
Leading a Discussion
This verse captures a moment when the crowd’s curiosity is piqued by the raising of Lazarus. It invites us to examine our own motives for following Jesus. The questions below move from what happens in the text to what it means and how it applies.
Discussion questions
- What does the crowd’s motive say about human nature in approaching Jesus?
- Why do you think the chief priests wanted to kill Lazarus? (John 12:10)
- How does the presence of Lazarus as a living witness change the dynamic?
- What is the difference between coming to Jesus for what he gives and coming to Jesus for who he is?
- How can we guard against merely seeking spiritual experiences rather than the Lord himself?
- In what ways might our church community be like the crowd: drawn by miracles but not committed?
- What would it take for you to move from curiosity to true discipleship?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| John 11:43 | When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” |
| John 11:45 | Therefore many of the Jews who came to Mary and saw what Jesus did believed in him. |
| Acts 3:10 | They recognized him, that it was he who used to sit begging for gifts for the needy at the Beautiful Gate of the temple. They were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. |
| Acts 3:11 | As the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering. |
| Acts 4:14 | Seeing the man who was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke observes that John the Evangelist, being a Galilean, typically applies the title "Jews" to the inhabitants of Jerusalem specifically, not to the whole nation. In this verse, "much people of the Jews" refers to that local crowd.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin notes that the crowd came not to honor Lazarus personally, but to witness the astonishing display of Christ's power in him. As Jesus' death approached, God ensured this miracle gained wide attention, so that many witnesses would prepare believers for stronger faith after the crucifixion.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
Cambridge Bible Schools notes that the crowd described as "much people" here consists of Christ's usual opponents, not neutral onlookers. Their growing interest, stirred by news of Lazarus, forces the religious leaders to take decisive action against Jesus.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Note draws attention to the crowd’s mixed motive: they came both for Jesus and to see Lazarus, the living proof of His power. This pairing suggests that the miracle itself drew curiosity alongside devotion to Christ.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill points out that the Jerusalem Jews came to Bethany for two reasons: to see Jesus and equally to see Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised. He suggests Lazarus had likely stayed out of public view until now, so his appearance alongside Jesus drew special curiosity.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB notes that the crowds flocked to Bethany not just to see Jesus but to see the resurrected Lazarus, and their belief in Jesus drove the chief priests to plot Lazarus's death. This shows how determined the priests were to extinguish the light of Christ, even by eliminating the evidence of his power.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange emphasizes that the triumphal entry was a twofold event: Jesus freely surrendered to His people knowing it would lead to death, making it a veiled preview of His journey to Golgotha. The people's actions, including the palm branches and acclamation, unknowingly fulfilled Zechariah's prophecy, even as the disciples themselves did not understand at the time.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry sees Jesus's visit to Bethany as a deliberate prelude to the Passover, placing the raising of Lazarus at the very doorstep of Jerusalem's festival crowds. The miracle is not finished with; it now becomes the magnet drawing people to Jesus and the reason the chief priests want Lazarus dead too.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent draws attention to the Greek phrasing, noting that the best manuscripts include the definite article, so the crowd is specifically "the common people." He also observes the verb means "learned" or "came to know," indicating a gradual recognition rather than sudden knowledge.