Who Was Lazarus in the Bible? The Friend Jesus Raised From the Dead

Lazarus was a man from Bethany, a village near Jerusalem, whom Jesus raised from the dead after he had been in the tomb for four days (John 11:1, 11:17, 11:43-44). He was the brother of Martha and Mary, and John's Gospel says Jesus loved all three of them (John 11:5). His raising took place shortly before Jesus' final Passover, and it led the religious leaders to plan Jesus' death (John 11:53, 11:55).

A different Lazarus appears in a parable Jesus told about a rich man and a beggar (Luke 16:19-31). The two are separate figures, and this article covers Lazarus of Bethany unless noted.

Lazarus Quick Facts

Category	Details
Name meaning	A Greek form of the Hebrew name Eleazar, usually understood as "God has helped"
Testament	New Testament
Key books	John 11:1-12:19
Time period	About AD 30-33, near the end of Jesus' ministry (traditional dating)
Family	Brother of Martha and Mary of Bethany (John 11:1-2)
Known for	Being raised from the dead by Jesus after four days in the tomb

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Lazarus and His Family in Bethany

Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem (John 11:18). John identifies Lazarus's sister Mary as the one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped His feet with her hair (John 11:2; 12:3). This Mary of Bethany is a different woman from Mary Magdalene, whose name is usually understood to mean she came from Magdala, and who was present at the cross and the empty tomb (Luke 8:2; John 19:25; 20:1).

Luke records an earlier visit in which Martha welcomed Jesus into her home. Martha was busy with preparations while Mary sat at Jesus' feet listening (Luke 10:38-42). Luke does not mention Lazarus in that account.

Lazarus never speaks in the biblical record. Everything known about him comes from what Jesus, his sisters and others said and did around him.

Who Was Lazarus in the Bible? The Account in John 11

The Message and the Delay

When Lazarus became sick, his sisters sent word to Jesus, saying that the one He loved was sick (John 11:3). Jesus said the sickness would not end in death but was for God's glory, so that the Son of God would be glorified through it (John 11:4). He then stayed where He was two more days (John 11:6).

When Jesus said they would go back to Judea, the disciples reminded Him that people there had recently tried to stone Him (John 11:7-8). Jesus said Lazarus had fallen asleep. When the disciples took this literally, He told them plainly that Lazarus was dead (John 11:11-14). Thomas told the other disciples that they should go too, so that they could die with Him (John 11:16).

Martha and Mary

By the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus had been in the tomb four days, and many people had come from Jerusalem to comfort the sisters (John 11:17-19). Martha went out to meet Jesus and said that if He had been there, her brother would not have died (John 11:21). When Jesus said her brother would rise again, she answered that she knew he would rise at the resurrection on the last day (John 11:23-24). Jesus replied:

"I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26)

Martha confessed that she believed He was the Messiah, the Son of God, who was to come into the world (John 11:27). Mary then came and fell at His feet, repeating the same words her sister had said (John 11:32).

Jesus Wept

When Jesus saw Mary and the others weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled (John 11:33). He asked where Lazarus had been laid. Then John records:

"Jesus wept." (John 11:35)

Some of those present remarked on how much He had loved Lazarus, while others asked why the man who opened the eyes of the blind could not have kept Lazarus from dying (John 11:36-37).

Lazarus, Come Out

The tomb was a cave with a stone across the entrance. When Jesus told them to take away the stone, Martha objected that by then there would be a bad odor (John 11:38-39). Jesus reminded her that if she believed, she would see the glory of God (John 11:40). He prayed aloud so that the people standing there would believe the Father had sent Him (John 11:41-42).

"When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come out!'" (John 11:43)

Lazarus came out with his hands and feet wrapped in strips of linen and a cloth around his face. Jesus told them to take off the grave clothes and let him go (John 11:38-44).

The Plot Against Jesus and Lazarus

Many of the people who saw what happened believed in Jesus, but some went to the Pharisees and reported it (John 11:45-46). The chief priests and Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. They worried that if Jesus continued, everyone would believe in Him and the Romans would take away both their temple and their nation (John 11:47-48).

Caiaphas, the high priest that year, told them it was better for one man to die for the people than for the whole nation to perish (John 11:49-50). John explains that Caiaphas was prophesying, without realizing it, that Jesus would die for the nation and for the scattered children of God (John 11:51-52). From that day they plotted to kill Jesus (John 11:53).

The Dinner at Bethany

Six days before the Passover, Jesus returned to Bethany. A dinner was given in His honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Him (John 12:1-2). Mary poured about a pint of expensive perfume on Jesus' feet (John 12:3). Judas Iscariot objected that it should have been sold and the money given to the poor. John notes that Judas was a thief who helped himself from the money bag (John 12:4-6).

A large crowd came to Bethany to see both Jesus and Lazarus. The chief priests then made plans to kill Lazarus as well, because on account of him many people were believing in Jesus (John 12:9-11). The next day, the crowd that had seen Lazarus raised kept spreading the news as Jesus entered Jerusalem (John 12:17-18).

Lazarus and Other Resurrections in Scripture

Lazarus was raised to ordinary bodily life and would die again. The Bible records other people who were restored to life in this way:

• The prophet Elijah prayed for the widow of Zarephath's son, and the boy's life returned (1 Kings 17:21-22).
• Elisha raised the Shunammite woman's son (2 Kings 4:32-35).
• Jesus raised the son of a widow at Nain and the daughter of Jairus (Luke 7:11-15; 8:52-55).
• Peter prayed, and Tabitha (Dorcas) was raised at Joppa (Acts 9:36-41).

Jesus' own resurrection is presented differently. Paul writes that Christ, raised from the dead, cannot die again (Romans 6:9).

The Lazarus of Jesus' Parable

In Luke 16:19-31, Jesus told of a rich man and a poor beggar named Lazarus who lay at his gate. When both died, Lazarus was carried to Abraham's side, while the rich man was in torment (Luke 16:22-23). The parable ends with Abraham saying that if people do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead (Luke 16:31). This story is recorded only by Luke, and the beggar is not the same person as Lazarus of Bethany.

What Happened to Lazarus Later?

The Bible does not say what happened to Lazarus after John 12 or when he died. Later traditions give different accounts. Eastern tradition connects him with Cyprus, while a medieval Western legend places him in southern France. These traditions are not part of Scripture.

Lessons From the Life of Lazarus

• Jesus' love includes His timing. John says Jesus loved the family and then stayed two more days (John 11:5-6).
• Jesus grieves with those who grieve. He wept at the tomb even though He was about to raise Lazarus (John 11:35).
• Jesus has authority over death. He called a man out of a tomb after four days (John 11:39, 11:43-44).
• A changed life draws attention. Many believed because of Lazarus, and that made him a target (John 12:9-11).

Where Lazarus Appears in the Bible

• John 11: His sickness, death and raising, and the plot that followed
• John 12:1-11: The dinner at Bethany and the plan to kill him
• John 12:17: The crowd that witnessed his raising
• Luke 16:19-31: A different Lazarus, the beggar in Jesus' parable

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Lazarus in the Bible?

Lazarus was a man from Bethany, the brother of Martha and Mary, whom Jesus raised from the dead after four days in the tomb (John 11:1, 11:17, 11:43-44).

How long was Lazarus dead?

Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days when Jesus arrived and raised him (John 11:17, 11:39).

Why did Jesus wait before going to Lazarus?

Jesus said the sickness was for God's glory, so that the Son of God would be glorified through it (John 11:4). He also told the disciples He was glad He was not there, so that they might believe (John 11:15).

Did Lazarus die again?

The Bible does not record his later death, but Lazarus was restored to ordinary mortal life. Scripture presents only Christ's resurrection as a rising never to die again (Romans 6:9).

Is the Lazarus in Luke 16 the same as Lazarus of Bethany?

No. The Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31 is a beggar in a parable Jesus told. Lazarus of Bethany is the brother of Martha and Mary in John 11-12.