Now Jesus was not yet come into the town
Of Bethany, but stayed without, being nearer to Lazarus's grave, which he intended to go to, in order to raise him to life, it being usual to bury the without the towns and cities; (See Gill on Matthew 8:28), (See Gill on Luke 7:12).
but was in that place where Martha met him;
here he stopped, and here he continued: the Persic version reads, "but was sitting in the same place" waiting for the coming of Mary along with Martha; judging this to be a more suitable place to converse together in, than their own house, which was thronged with Jews; and especially he chose it for the reason above given.