John 11:3 Commentary - Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

1 ) "Therefore his sister sent unto him, saying," (apesteilan oun hoi adelphai pros auton legousai) "Then the sisters (Mary and Martha) sent (a message) to him saying," directly instructing the person authorized to bear the report to Jesus who was in Bethabara (the Bethany) beyond Jordan in Perea, where He had come some thirty miles northeast from Bethany, where Lazarus lay ill, Joh 1:28; Joh 10:40.

2) "Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick." (kurie ide on phileis asthenei) "Lord look (this way) the one you love ails," is sick, exists in a physically debilitating condition. The sisters were intimate friends of Jesus and turned to Him, as "friend-to-friend,'' who "loveth at all times,'' in this hour of anxious care, Pro 17:17.

Martha, Mary, and Lazarus were three of His most devout disciples in Judea, Joh 7:3. They did not request Him to come, but the message was apparently a veiled desire that He come to them in this crisis hour, Joh 4:49; For they knew of His power of healing and power over death, Mat 8:8; Mat 9:18.