Raising of Lazarus

Illustration of Raising of Lazarus
Four days dead. Wrapped in burial cloths. Already decomposing. Jesus stood at the tomb and shouted, Lazarus, come out - and the dead man walked.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus traveled to Bethany after learning that his friend Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, had died and been buried for four days. Standing before the tomb, Jesus prayed publicly and then commanded Lazarus to come out, at which point the man emerged alive still wrapped in burial cloths. This miracle demonstrated Jesusโ€™ authority over death and served as a pivotal sign confirming his identity as the resurrection and the life. It prompted many witnesses to believe in him while also intensifying opposition from religious leaders that hastened the events of the Passion.

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Category
Resurrection
Testament
New Testament
Performed by
Jesus

Key Chapters

John 11 The Raising of Lazarus 7 min read This passage shows Jesus' compassionate power to restore life, offering hope tha...

Key Passages

Lazarus Come Forth

John 11:38-44

This passage shows Jesus' compassionate power to restore life, offering hope that he can renew us even from death's grip.

J38esus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.

39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. 40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. 43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

Jesus Weeps

John 11:33-36

This passage reveals Jesus' tender compassion, showing that He deeply shares in our grief and cares for our pain.

W33hen Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,

34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

Explore Related

Characters 4

Jesus Jesus is portrayed in the Bible as the Son of God and the long-awaited Messiah whose coming fulfilled Oldโ€ฆ Lazarus Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha from the village of Bethany, fell gravely ill and died while Jesusโ€ฆ Martha Martha was the sister of Mary and Lazarus who lived in Bethany and frequently hosted Jesus during hisโ€ฆ Mary of Bethany Mary of Bethany was the sister of Martha and Lazarus who lived in the village near Jerusalem. In Lukeโ€™sโ€ฆ

Places 1

Bethany Bethany was a small village located on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives about two miles east ofโ€ฆ

Themes 3

Resurrection The resurrection is the hinge of history. If Christ is not raised, Paul said, our faith is worthless. Butโ€ฆ Hope Hope in the Bible is not wishful thinking - it is confident expectation anchored in the character of God.โ€ฆ Faith Without faith it is impossible to please God. From Abraham leaving everything for an unknown land to aโ€ฆ

Did You Know?

1

Jesus deliberately waited 4 days. Jewish belief held the soul lingered 3 days, so day 4 meant truly dead.

2

This miracle directly triggered the plot to kill Jesus (John 11:53).

3

'Jesus wept' (John 11:35) is the shortest verse in the Bible. Showing God grieves with us.