Verse 38. A certain village. Bethany. See Joh 11:1. It was on the eastern declivity of the Mount of Olives. See Barnes "Mt 21:1".

Received him. Received him kindly and hospitably. From this it would seem that Martha was properly the mistress of the house. Possibly she was a widow, and her brother Lazarus and younger sister Mary lived with her; and as she had the care of the household, this will also show why she was so diligently employed about domestic affairs.

{p} "Martha" Joh 11:1; 12:2,3