John 11:38

Groaning. See on v. 33. The note of unbelief introduced by a segment of the Jews (see v. 37) contributed to the disturbance of mind.

Grave. Gr. mnemeion, literally, “a memorial,” from mnemoneuo, “to remember,” used frequently of a memorial for the dead, but mostly of the grave or grave chamber itself (Mark 16:5; etc.).

Cave. Natural caves, further prepared by hewing, were common burying places in Palestine (cf. Gen. 23:19; Isa. 22:16). The Mishnah describes what was probably a typical family tomb: “The central space of the grotto must contain [an area of] six cubits by eight. And thirteen chambers are to open out into it; four on one side, four on the other, three in front [of the entrance], and one on the right of the entrance and one on the left. Outside the entrance to the grotto is to be made a court of six [cubits] by six, [which is] the space the bier and those who bury it occupy. Two grottos are to be opened out into it; one on the one side and one on the other” (Baba Bathra 6.8, Soncino ed. of the Talmud, pp. 421, 422). Archeological discoveries show that the entrances to tombs were usually on a horizontal plane.

Stone. These stones, often circular so that they might be rolled, covered the opening of the vault. Often a buttressing stone held the circular stone securely in place (see Mishnah Oholoth 2.4, Soncino ed. of the Talmud, p. 156).