Lazarus in the Bible: Raised from the Dead in John 11
Quick Summary
Lazarus’ story in John 11 is one of the Gospel’s most powerful moments. Jesus raises him from the dead, declaring, “I am the resurrection and the life.” This sign points both to Jesus’ own resurrection and to the eternal life he offers believers now and forever.
Introduction
When you open John 11, you’re stepping into one of the Gospel’s most unforgettable stories: the raising of Lazarus. It’s a miracle and a turning point. Lazarus’ resurrection is the climactic “sign” in John’s Gospel, the event that both reveals Jesus’ glory and sets in motion the plot to kill him. It also speaks directly to John’s audience—believers wrestling with grief, fear of death, and the cost of confessing Christ. For them, and for us, Lazarus’ story declares that Jesus is Lord of life and death, the one who can bring hope where there is none.
This post explores Lazarus in the Bible—his identity, his role in John 11, the theological weight of his raising, and how this passage speaks to folks like us today. We will also see connections beyond the gospel to the epistle of 1 John and the apocalyptic book of Revelation.
Who Was Lazarus in the Bible?
Lazarus lived in Bethany, a small village near Jerusalem, with his sisters Mary and Martha. John tells us that Jesus loved this family deeply: “Lord, he whom you love is ill” (John 11:3). Their home was a place of friendship, love, and welcome. In the Synoptic Gospels, we don’t hear of Lazarus, but in John, he becomes central to the story—both as a beloved friend and as a sign through which God’s glory is revealed. His name, meaning “God has helped,” hints at his role: through him, God’s help and power would be displayed.
Lazarus and the Johannine Community
Why does John highlight this story? For a community facing rejection from the synagogue, hostility from neighbors, and the looming shadow of death, Lazarus’ raising was more than a miracle—it was reassurance. It proclaimed that death does not have the final word. Jesus’ declaration, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25), was a direct word of comfort to believers whose faith was costly. It taught them that eternal life was not merely future, but present in Christ.
The Story of Lazarus in John 11
1. The Delay (John 11:1–16)
News reaches Jesus that Lazarus is ill. Instead of rushing to Bethany, Jesus waits two days. The delay seems cruel, but John makes the purpose clear: “This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God’s glory” (11:4). By the time Jesus arrives, Lazarus has been in the tomb four days. The delay ensures that this will not be mistaken for a mere recovery—this will be a resurrection.
2. The Conversations (John 11:17–37)
Martha meets Jesus first, grieving but hopeful. “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (11:21). Her faith is real but incomplete. Jesus responds with one of John’s most powerful “I am” sayings: “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live” (11:25). Martha confesses her faith: “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God” (11:27).
Mary arrives next, falling at Jesus’ feet with the same words of grief. Jesus is deeply moved, even weeping at the tomb (11:35). This moment reveals the heart of God—not distant, but present in our sorrow.
3. The Raising (John 11:38–44)
Standing before the tomb, Jesus commands the stone to be taken away. After praying to the Father, he cries with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” And the dead man walks out, still wrapped in grave clothes. It is both a miracle of love and a sign pointing forward to Easter. Lazarus is restored to his family, but more importantly, the world sees the glory of God revealed in Jesus.
4. The Aftermath (John 11:45–57)
Many who witness the miracle believe, but the religious leaders see Jesus as a threat. From this moment on, they plot his death. The raising of Lazarus seals Jesus’ own fate. The gift of life to a friend leads to the giving of his life for the world.
Themes in the Raising of Lazarus
Jesus’ Love. The story begins and ends with love—Jesus’ love for Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. His tears at the tomb show God’s heart for those who grieve.
Faith in Suffering. Both sisters express faith mixed with grief. Their journey mirrors ours—we believe, but we wrestle with loss. Jesus meets us there.
Resurrection Hope. Jesus reframes resurrection not as a doctrine but as a person: “I am the resurrection.” Resurrection is not just an event; it is found in relationship with him.
The Sign Leading to the Cross. Lazarus’ raising is the seventh and climactic sign in John, and it sets the stage for Jesus’ Passion. Life for Lazarus leads to death for Jesus—and through that death, life for the world.
Connections to John’s Audience
For the Johannine community, this story echoed their own struggles. Facing persecution, exclusion, and even martyrdom, they needed to know that death was not the end. Lazarus’ resurrection pointed them to the greater truth of Jesus’ own resurrection and the eternal life already given to believers. It encouraged them to hold on, even in the face of death.
Lazarus and the Wider Johannine Writings
The story of Lazarus reverberates through John’s other writings. In 1 John 5:11–12, we read: “God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life.” Lazarus’ raising is a living picture of this truth.
In Revelation, John speaks of a day when “Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more” (Revelation 21:4). Lazarus’ story anticipates that hope. Just as Jesus called him out of the grave, so too will the dead in Christ rise at the last day.
Theological Significance
The raising of Lazarus teaches us:
Jesus is Lord over life and death.
Eternal life begins now in relationship with him.
Faith holds in tension both grief and hope.
God’s glory is revealed not only in power but in love.
Lazarus: Meaning for Today
For us, Lazarus’ story reminds us that Jesus enters into our grief, weeping with us. It assures us that death does not have the last word. And it calls us to believe, like Martha, that Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
When we stand at a graveside, we remember that Lazarus walked out of his tomb—and that one day, we too will hear Christ’s voice calling us out of ours. When we face fear, doubt, or loss, we remember that eternal life begins now, not later. And when we wonder if God cares, we look to Jesus’ tears.
See Also
FAQ Section
Who was Lazarus in the Bible?
Lazarus was the brother of Mary and Martha of Bethany, a beloved friend of Jesus. His raising from the dead is recorded in John 11.
Why did Jesus wait before raising Lazarus?
Jesus delayed so that God’s glory would be revealed. His timing ensured the miracle showed God’s power over death.
What is the significance of Lazarus’ raising?
It is the climactic sign in John’s Gospel, pointing both to Jesus’ identity as the resurrection and to the cross that lay ahead.
