Discovery BoxJohn 12:2 
Context12:2 So they prepared a dinner for Jesus 1 there. Martha 2 was serving, and Lazarus was among those present at the table 3 with him.
John 12:9
Context12:9 Now a large crowd of Judeans 4 learned 5 that Jesus 6 was there, and so they came not only because of him 7 but also to see Lazarus whom he had raised from the dead.
John 12:17
Context12:17 So the crowd who had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead were continuing to testify about it. 8
1 tn Grk “him”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity and to conform with contemporary English style.
2 tn Grk “And Martha.” The connective καί (kai, “and”) has been omitted in the translation because it would produce a run-on sentence in English.
3 tn Grk “reclining at the table.”
sn 1st century middle eastern meals were not eaten while sitting at a table, but while reclining on one’s side on the floor with the head closest to the low table and the feet farthest away.
4 tn Grk “of the Jews.” In NT usage the term ᾿Ιουδαῖοι (Ioudaioi) may refer to the entire Jewish people, the residents of Jerusalem and surrounding territory (“Judeans”; cf. BDAG 479 s.v. ᾿Ιουδαῖος 2.e), the authorities in Jerusalem, or merely those who were hostile to Jesus. (For further information see R. G. Bratcher, “‘The Jews’ in the Gospel of John,” BT 26 [1975]: 401-9.) Here the phrase refers to the residents of Jerusalem and the surrounding area who by this time had heard about the resurrection of Lazarus and were curious to see him.
5 tn Grk “knew.”
6 tn Grk “he”; normal English clause structure specifies the referent first and substitutes the pronoun in subsequent references to the same individual, so the referent (Jesus) has been specified here.
7 tn Grk “Jesus”; normal English clause structure specifies the referent first and substitutes the pronoun in subsequent references to the same individual, so the pronoun (“him”) has been substituted here.
8 tn The word “it” is not included in the Greek text. Direct objects in Greek were often omitted when clear from the context.
