Lazarus
Israelite / Jew Jewish, of Bethany near Jerusalem · Life of Christ · New Testament
- Name means
- 'God has helped' (Greek form of Eleazar)
- Role
- Friend of Jesus raised from the dead
- When
- c. AD 30
What they did
After he had been dead four days, Jesus called him out of the tomb; afterward many believed on Jesus because of him, and the chief priests plotted to kill him as well.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
His raising was a sign that Jesus is the resurrection and the life, pointing ahead to Christ's own resurrection and the hope of all believers.
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: John 11:25 (KJV)
Bible references
Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. John 11:1 (KJV)
Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. John 11:5 (KJV)
And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 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. John 11:43-44 (KJV)
Much people of the Jews therefore knew 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. But the chief priests consulted 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 12:9-11 (KJV)
Family
- Brothers / sisters
- Martha, Mary
Not the same person as the beggar Lazarus in Jesus' account of the rich man (Luke 16:19-31).