<p>11:20 <i>Martha, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him</i>- This is all very much the language of the Lord's second coming especially as described in Mt. 25:6: &quot;Look The bridegroom Come out to meet him&quot;. John's Gospel continually repeats the Synoptic material, but presents it differently. And the similarity of language in this case leads us to think that the connection is intentional. That Mary 'stayed' would therefore appear to reflect badly upon her. The parable of Mt. 25:6 is about the response of different groups of <i>young women</i>, and both Martha and Mary were presumably young, unmarried women. Perhaps Mary simply plays the role of the foolish virgins who didn't respond immediately, but came later. The resurrection of Lazarus was clearly a foretaste of the resurrection at the last day: &quot;Jesus said to her: Your brother shall rise again. Martha said to him: I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said to her: I am the resurrection and the life. He that believes on me, though he die, yet shall he live&quot;. The similarities with the last day judgment scenario are so many that it's difficult to avoid the conclusion that they are being consciously referred to.</p><p><i>Jesus was coming</i>- Literally, &quot;Jesus is coming&quot;. The present tense suggests this is to be read as reported speech. Again, the perspective of the Gospel writers can be seen to change very quickly.</p><p><i>But Mary stayed in the house</i>- Luke notes the tension between Martha and Mary over domestic issues. She perhaps remained in the house because she wished to meet the Lord without her dominant sister. Or perhaps the whole incident is being recorded as a foretaste of the Lord's resurrection; some disciples ran out to see the risen Lord whilst some remained in the house.</p>