John 11:20 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Then Martha, as soon as she heard— It seems the news of our Lord's coming reached Bethany before him; for Martha, having heard of it, went out to meet him, being of a more active disposition than her sister, who continued in the house: being absorbed in grief, and perhaps retired to an inner apartment. Mary was not so much in the way to be informed of the arrival of Jesus, as her sister was; who, being busied in the management of the family, must naturally have been the first person to hear the joyful news. Compare Job 2:8. Ezekiel 8:14 and Matthew 27:61.