Lazarus
So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet Him, but Mary stayed at home. John 11:20 · Berean Standard Bible
When Martha hears Jesus is coming, she rushes out to meet Him. Mary stays at home.
Martha is always the doer. Even in grief, she can't sit still. She goes straight to Jesus.
The narrator shows Martha's characteristic initiative as she goes out to meet Jesus.
Martha doesn't wait for Jesus to come to her. She goes to Him. That's who she is—even in the middle of her worst grief, she's moving toward Jesus.
Martha goes out to meet Jesus while Mary remains (ekathezeto) at home—a characterization consistent with Luke's portrayal of Martha as the active, initiative-taking sister (Luke 10:38-40).
The verb 'ekathezeto' suggests Mary was sitting in mourning posture. Martha's going out reflects both her temperament and possibly her role as older sister and primary host.
The narrator contrasts the two sisters' responses to news of Jesus' arrival.
The narrative splits to follow each sister individually, beginning with Martha's characteristic initiative in going to meet Jesus before He even enters the village.
18Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, a little less than two miles away,
19and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them in the loss of their brother.
20So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet Him, but Mary stayed at home.
21Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.
22But even now I know that God will give You whatever You ask of Him.”
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