Lazarus (John 11:1–46; John 12:1–2; John 12:9–11)

Of Bethany, Raised from the Dead

The brother of Martha and Mary, of Bethany, whom Jesus loved; he died, lay four days in the tomb, and was called out by Jesus, and many went to see him afterwards.

Lazarus appears only in the Gospel of John. He is introduced as “Lazarus of Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister Martha” (John 11:1). The sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick” (John 11:3), and the text says “Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus” (John 11:5).

Jesus called him “Our friend Lazarus” (John 11:11). When he came to Bethany he found that Lazarus “had been in the tomb four days already” (John 11:17). At the tomb Jesus “cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. He that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave-clothes” (John 11:43–44).

Afterwards Lazarus was one of those who sat at meat with Jesus at Bethany (John 12:2). Many of the Jews came to see him, and the chief priests took counsel to put him also to death, “because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus” (John 12:10–11). Lazarus is not recorded as speaking anywhere in the text. The beggar named Lazarus in the account Jesus tells in Luke 16:19–31 is not connected with Lazarus of Bethany in the text.

Themes

• Resurrection
• Friendship
• Glory of God
• A sign that many saw

Lazarus is sick (John 11:1–6)

The sisters send word to Jesus that the one he loves is sick; Jesus abides two days where he is.

Lazarus is dead (John 11:7–16)

Jesus speaks of his friend as fallen asleep, then tells the disciples plainly that Lazarus is dead, and goes to Judæa.

Four days in the tomb (John 11:17–19; John 11:38–39)

Jesus finds that Lazarus has been in the tomb four days, and many of the Jews have come to console Martha and Mary.

Lazarus, come forth (John 11:38–45)

The stone is taken away, Jesus cries with a loud voice, and the dead man comes out bound in grave-clothes.

Lazarus, come forth

“Now it was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus saith, Take ye away the stone” (John 11:38–39). Martha said that the body decayeth, for he had been dead four days; Jesus answered, “Said I not unto thee, that, if thou believedst, thou shouldest see the glory of God?” (John 11:40).

“And when he had thus spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. He that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave-clothes; and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go” (John 11:43–44).

“Many therefore of the Jews, who came to Mary and beheld that which he did, believed on him” (John 11:45).

A supper at Bethany (John 12:1–2)

Six days before the passover Jesus comes to Bethany, where Lazarus was; a supper is made, Martha serves, and Lazarus sits at meat with him.

The crowds come, and the plot (John 12:9–11)

The common people come to see Lazarus as well as Jesus, and the chief priests take counsel to put Lazarus also to death.

The crowds come, and the plot

“The common people therefore of the Jews learned that he was there: and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead” (John 12:9).

“But the chief priests took counsel that they might put Lazarus also to death; because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus” (John 12:10–11).

Jesus (John 11:3; John 11:5; John 11:11; John 11:43–44)

His friend, whom Jesus loved, and whom he called out of the tomb.

Martha (John 11:1; John 11:20–27; John 12:2)

His sister, who met Jesus when he came.

Mary of Bethany (John 11:1–2; John 11:32)

His sister, who fell at Jesus’ feet.

The chief priests (John 12:10–11)

Took counsel to put him also to death.

Major sections

• John 11:1–46
• John 12:1–11

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