Tarrying Himself outside the village (Jn. xi. 30), the Lord suffered the tidings of His arrival to go before Him, and no sooner did Martha become aware of it, than she hurried forth to meet Him, while Mary remained in the house. In few and touching words Martha revealed the anguish of her heart. _Lord_, said she, _if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died_, but added, shewing that even now she had not abandoned every hope, _I know that even now, whatsoever Thou wilt ask of God, God will give it Thee_ (Jn. xi. 22). In reply the Holy One assured her that her brother would rise again, and when she answered that she knew he would _rise again at the last day_ (Jn. xi. 24), proceeded to declare Himself to be the _Resurrection and the life_, in whom whosoever believed should live though he died, and whosoever lived and believed should never die (Jn. xi. 25, 26). Having spoken of Himself in these solemn and momentous words, He enquired whether Martha herself believed He was what He thus claimed to be. _Yea, Lord_, was her reply: _I believe that Thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world_ (Jn. xi. 27), and with this assurance hastened away, and secretly called her sister. Informed of her Lord’s arrival Mary also hurried to meet Him, and was quickly followed by a large number of the Jews, who took for granted that, according to the usual custom[426], she was proceeding to the grave to weep there. Arrived at the spot where Jesus was, Mary could only fall down before His feet (Jn. xi. 32), and falter out the words her sister had already uttered, and then gave way to passionate grief. The spectacle of her deep sorrow deeply affected many of the Jews also, and they mingled their tears with hers, while the Lord Himself _groaned in spirit and was troubled_, and enquired where they had laid the dead (Jn. xi. 33). With the words _come and see_, they conducted Him to the sepulchre, and on the road[427] He Himself, borne away by the “great tide of sorrow[428]” around, joined His tears with theirs (Jn. xi. 35).