John 11:19
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
American King James Version (AKJV)
And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
American Standard Version (ASV)
and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to console them concerning their brother.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
And a number of Jews had come to Martha and Mary to give them comfort about their brother.
Webster's Revision
And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
World English Bible
Many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to console them concerning their brother.
English Revised Version (ERV)
and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to console them concerning their brother.
Clarke's John 11:19 Bible Commentary
Many of the Jews came - Bethany being so nigh to Jerusalem, many of the relatives and friends of the family came, according to the Jewish custom, to mourn with the afflicted sisters. Mourning, among the Jews, lasted about thirty days: the three first days were termed days of weeping: then followed seven of lamentation. During the three days, the mourner did no servile work; and, if any one saluted him, he did not return the salutation. During the seven days, he did no servile work, except in private - lay with his bed on the floor - did not put on his sandals - did not wash nor anoint himself - had his head covered - and neither read in the law, the Mishnah, nor the Talmud. All the thirty days he continued unshaven, wore no white or new clothes, and did not sew up the rents which he had made in his garments. See Lightfoot, and see on John 11:31 (note).
Barnes's John 11:19 Bible Commentary
Many of the Jews - Probably their distant relatives or their friends.
To comfort - These visits of consolation were commonly extended to seven clays (Grotius; Lightfoot).