John 11:20

“Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, etc.] Which she might hear of, either by a messenger sent by Christ to her, to acquaint her of it; or rather by some of the people of the town, who knew him, and ran and told her of it; and she being an active person, and stirring about house, might receive the report unknown to her sister, as it seems she did; and as soon as she had the hint, without staying to communicate it to her sister, went and met him; either through her great affection to him, and eager desire of seeing him; or to consult his safety, and let him know what number of Jews were in their house, that he might consider whether it would be safe for him to be at their…”

“Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him--true to the energy and activity of her character, as seen in Luk 10:38-42. (See on Luk 10:38-42). but Mary sat . . . in the house--equally true to her placid character. These undesigned touches not only charmingly illustrate the minute historic fidelity of both narratives, but their inner harmony.”

“Then Martha ... - To Martha was intrusted the management of the affairs of the family, Luke 10:40. It is probable that she first heard of his coming, and, without waiting to inform her sister, went immediately out to meet him. See John 11:28. Sat still in the house - The word “still” is not in the original. It means that she remained sitting in the house. The common posture of grief among the Jews was that of sitting, Job 2:8; Ezekiel 8:14. Often this grief was so excessive as to fix the person in astonishment, and render him immovable, or prevent his being affected by any external objects. It is possible that the evangelist meant to intimate this of Mary’s grief. Compare Ezra 9:3-4;…”

“Mary sat in the house - Probably not hearing what was said. John 11:22”

“as soon: Joh 11:30; Mat 25:1, Mat 25:6; Act 10:25, Act 28:15; Th1 4:17 John 11:21”