The danger attaching to this expedition into Judea was great, since the Jews were determined to kill Jesus. Finding it was impossible to dissuade him from going, Thomas proposed to the disciples that they should all accompany their Master, saying, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” Therefore the twelve accompanied the Saviour. On the way, Jesus labored for the needy, relieving the suffering and healing the sick as was his custom. When he reached Bethany he heard from several persons that Lazarus was dead, and had been buried four days. While still at a distance from the house, he heard the wailing of the mourners. When a Hebrew died it was customary for the relatives to give up all business for several days, and live on the coarsest food while they mourned for the dead. Professional mourners were also hired, and it was they whom Jesus heard wailing and shrieking in that house which had once been his quiet, pleasant resting place. {2SP 361.3}

Der var megen fare forbundet med denne rejse til Judæa, eftersom jøderne havde fast besluttet at dræbe Jesus. Men da disciplen fandt, at det var umuligt at (362) overtale ham til at opsætte rejsen, foreslog Thomas, at disciplene skulle alle ledsage deres Mester, idet han sagde: "Så lad os gå med, for at vi kan dø sammen med ham!" (16.vers) De tolv disciple ledsagede derfor Frelseren. På vejen arbejdede Jesus for de trængende; han hjalp de lidende og helbredte de syge efter deres sædvane. Da han kom til Betanien, fortalte flere ham, at Lazarus var død og havde været begravet fire dage. Medens han endnu var langt borte fra huset, hørte han kvindernes klage. Når en hebræer døde, var det skik og brug, at slægtninge ophørte med alle forretninger flere dage og levede på den simpleste kost, medens de klagede over den døde. Desuden lejede man også sådanne, hvis forretning var at klage, og det var deres råb og skrig, som Jesus hørte fra det hus, som engang havde været hans stille, behagelige hvilested.