Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead
The raising of Lazarus is recorded in John 11:1-44, standing as a theologically rich and profound miracle in the Gospel of John. It is a deeply symbolic act that reveals the identity of Jesus as “the resurrection and the life.” This event, unique to John’s Gospel, serves as a climactic sign that foreshadows Jesus’ own resurrection. It confronts us with the necessity of belief in him as the source of eternal life.
Setting and Narrative of the Raising of Lazarus
The story of Lazarus unfolds in Bethany, a village near Jerusalem, where Lazarus, along with his sisters Mary and Martha, lived. The text begins with the announcement of Lazarus’s illness: “Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha” (John 11:1). This is the Mary who anointed Jesus with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair (v. 2), establishing a relational and emotional context for the miracle.
When Jesus is informed of Lazarus’ sickness, he responds, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it” (v. 4). This declaration indicates that the purpose of the event transcends physical healing; it is ultimately about divine revelation and glorification.
Jesus delays his journey to Bethany for two days, which is a crucial aspect to the narrative’s theological depth. The delay ensures that Lazarus has been dead for four days by the time Jesus arrives (v. 17), a period significant in Jewish thought, as it was believed that the soul remained near the body for three days before departing. Thus, the fourth day underscores the finality of death and the impossibility of natural recovery.
Themes of Life, Death, and Belief
Central to the Lazarus account is the theme of belief. Jesus tells his disciples, “Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe” (v. 14-15). The miracle is not merely for the benefit of Lazarus or his sisters but is intended to lead others to faith in Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God.
When Jesus arrives in Bethany, he is met first by Martha, who expresses both grief and faith: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (v. 21). Her statement is both a lament and a confession. Jesus responds with one of the most significant declarations in the Gospel of John: “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (vv. 25-26). This “I am” statement is a direct claim to divine identity, echoing the name of God revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14. Jesus does not merely offer resurrection; he embodies it.
Martha’s response is a confession of faith: “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world” (v. 27). Her words parallel Peter’s earlier confession (see, Matthew 16:16) and they affirm John’s emphasis on belief as the means of receiving eternal life (see, John 20:31).
Mary’s encounter with Jesus is deeply beautiful and emotional. When she falls at his feet and repeats Martha’s words (v. 32), Jesus is “deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled” (v. 33). The Greek words used here convey a sense of indignation and agitation, suggesting that Jesus is not only grieving but also confronting the reality and consequences of death. The shortest verse in the Bible is “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). This two-word verse reveals Jesus fully sharing in human sorrow and suffering, even as he prepares to overcome it. His weeping with Mary is a moving symbol of Jesus’ presence in our times of despair. Although we might feel alone, we are not. Jesus sits with us, sharing in our sorrow while wiping away our tears.
The Resurrection Miracle
Jesus approaches the tomb and commands that the stone be removed. Martha protests, noting that there will be a stench, as Lazarus has been dead for four days (v. 39). Jesus replies, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” (v. 40). This statement reiterates the purpose of the miracle: the revelation of God’s glory through the Son.
Before raising Lazarus, Jesus prays aloud: “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me” (vv. 41-42). Jesus is unified with the Father and his role as the sent one, and this miracle is a sign that authenticates Jesus’ divine mission and identity.
With a loud voice, Jesus commands, “Lazarus, come out” (v. 43). The dead man emerges, still bound in grave clothes, and Jesus instructs the bystanders to unbind him and let him go (v. 44). The power of Jesus’ word to bring life from death recalls the creative word of God in Genesis 1 and anticipates the final resurrection at the end of the age (see, John 5:28-29).
Significance and Foreshadowing
The raising of Lazarus is not only a demonstration of Jesus’ power over death but also a foreshadowing of his own death and resurrection. The miracle gives rise to the final crisis in the Gospel of John. Immediately following this event, the chief priests and Pharisees convene a council and resolve to put Jesus to death (John 11:45-53). The act of giving life to Lazarus leads to the death sentence for Jesus, showing the substitutionary nature of his mission.
Caiaphas, the high priest, unknowingly prophesies the redemptive purpose of Jesus’ death: “It is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish” (v. 50). John comments that this was not said of his own accord but was a divine prophecy (v. 51). Thus, the raising of Lazarus becomes a turning point in the gospel narrative, setting in motion the events that will lead to the cross.
The miracle in John’s Gospel illustrates the fate of believers. Jesus declares that those who believe in him will never die (v. 26), yet Lazarus dies and is raised. This points to the dual aspect of resurrection: spiritual life now through faith in Christ, and physical resurrection in the future. As Jesus says elsewhere, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life” (John 5:24).
Conclusion
The raising of Lazarus from the dead is a pivotal moment in the Gospel of John, the last of the seven miraculous signs of Jesus. It reveals Jesus as the resurrection and the life, the one who holds authority over death and offers eternal life to all who believe. The miracle is not an isolated act of compassion but a sign that points to the glory of God and the identity of Jesus as the Son of God. It also serves as a catalyst for the passion narrative, linking the giving of life to Lazarus with the giving of Jesus’ own life for the world.
In this event, the reader is confronted with the central question of the gospel: “Do you believe this?” (John 11:26). The raising of Lazarus calls for a response of faith, not only in Jesus’ power to raise the dead but in his identity as the one sent by the Father to bring life to a dying world. As such, it remains a powerful testimony to the hope of resurrection and the promise of eternal life found in Christ alone.