Gospels · NT
Lazarus of Bethany
The friend of Jesus who was raised from the dead after four days in the tomb.
Lazarus of Bethany was the brother of Mary and Martha and a close friend of Jesus. When he fell gravely ill, the sisters sent word: 'Lord, he whom you love is ill.' Jesus deliberately delayed two days, telling his disciples, 'This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God.' By the time he arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been in the tomb four days.
Martha met him on the road with grief and faith intertwined: 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.' Jesus answered with the seventh great 'I AM' saying of John's gospel — 'I am the resurrection and the life.' At the tomb he wept, and then, in front of the crowd, commanded, 'Lazarus, come out.' The dead man came out, still bound in graveclothes.
This sign is the climax of Jesus' public ministry in John's gospel and the immediate trigger of the council's decision to put him to death (John 11:53). It points forward to the greater resurrection on the third day.
Key moments
Fell ill in Bethany
His sisters sent for Jesus.
Died and was buried four days
Long enough that decomposition had begun (John 11:39).
Called from the tomb
'Lazarus, come out.'
Sat at table with Jesus six days before the Passover
A living sign that the chief priests then plotted to kill (John 12:10).
Key verses
"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, though he die, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth on me shall never die. Believest thou this?"
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"Jesus wept."
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"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."
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"Jesus therefore six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus raised from the dead. So they made him a supper there: and Martha served; but Lazarus was one of them that sat at meat with him."
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Frequently asked
Is this the same Lazarus as in the parable in Luke 16?
No. The Lazarus of Luke 16 is the poor beggar in Jesus' parable of the rich man and Lazarus — a different person in a different kind of story. Lazarus of Bethany is a real historical friend of Jesus.
Why did Jesus weep if he knew he would raise him?
John specifically notes that Jesus was 'deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled.' The shortest verse in scripture — 'Jesus wept' — testifies that the Son of God genuinely shares human grief. His tears do not contradict his power; they reveal his heart.