The people therefore, &c.— Because the forwardness which the multitude now shewed to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah, was altogether extraordinary, the evangelist assigns the cause thereof. The witnesses of the resurrection of Lazarus zealously bestirred themselves on this occasion; they had published the miracle far and near; they were many in number, and persons of reputation. Hence their report gained universal belief, and drew out an innumerable multitude to meet Jesus—a circumstance which gave credit to the miracle, to which they bare record, or gave their testimony, as it proved what sense the people of the age and country where it was performed had of it. Some would render these verses, Now the multitude that was with him bare record, that (οτι) he called Lazarus from the grave, and raised him from the dead; and upon this account the multitude met him, because they heard that he had done this miracle.
Related Commentaries of John 12:17
John 12:17-18
17 The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.
18 For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.