John 12:18 Commentary - Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

1 ) "For this cause the people also met him," (dia touto kai hupentesen auto ho ochlos) "On account of this also the crowd met him," the multitude of other believing Jews from afar, who had come for the Passover and were camping nearby, went out from their camping places to meet Jesus and His disciples, as they came into the city from Bethany.

2) "For that they heard," (hoti ekousan) "Because they heard," had already heard the report of Lazarus' recent death and our Lord's raising him up, an event that had occurred only a few weeks earlier, when Jesus retreated to Ephraim, Joh 11:54.

3) "That he had done this miracle." (touto auton pepoiekenai to semeion) "That he had done this particular miracle," in the raising of Lazarus from the dead; It had been made known to the Pharisees, chief priests, and council of the Jews, who had in turn decreed the death of both Jesus and Lazarus, Joh 11:47-53; Joh 12:10-11.