Lazarus
maleNew TestamentMeaning: “God has helped”
The brother of Martha and Mary of Bethany, a friend of Jesus whom Jesus raised from the dead after four days in the tomb — His greatest public sign.
Biography
Lazarus of Bethany was the brother of Martha and Mary and a beloved friend of Jesus. His raising from the dead is the climactic sign of John's Gospel.
"Lord, he whom thou lovest is sick"
When Lazarus fell ill, his sisters sent for Jesus, but Jesus deliberately waited until Lazarus had died, saying his sickness was "for the glory of God." By the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus had been in the tomb four days (John 11:3–17). At the tomb, before raising him, Jesus declared, "I am the resurrection, and the life" (John 11:25) and wept — "Jesus wept" (John 11:35), the shortest verse in the Bible.
"Lazarus, come forth"
Jesus cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth," and the dead man came out, bound in grave clothes (John 11:43–44). Many believed because of this sign — but it also hardened the resolve of the chief priests to kill both Jesus and Lazarus (John 12:10–11). Lazarus later sat at table with Jesus, a living testimony to His power over death.
Life Timeline
Raised by Jesus after four days in the tomb
Family Tree
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Themes & lessons from Lazarus
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Lazarus appears.
People they appear with
Places in their story
Scripture Appearances
11 verses in 1 bookJohn11 verses
John 11:1
Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
John 11:2
(It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
John 11:5
Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
John 11:11
These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
John 11:14
Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
John 11:43
And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
John 12:1
Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
John 12:2
There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
John 12:9
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.
John 12:10
But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;
John 12:17
The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.
Frequently asked about Lazarus
Who was Lazarus in the Bible?
The brother of Martha and Mary of Bethany, a friend of Jesus whom Jesus raised from the dead after four days in the tomb — His greatest public sign.
What does the name Lazarus mean?
The name Lazarus means “God has helped”.
Where does Lazarus appear in the Bible?
Lazarus is mentioned 11 times across 1 book: John.
What can we learn from Lazarus?
The story of Lazarus touches on themes of lazarus, bethany, families, martha — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Lazarus's life.
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