Lazarus of Bethany

Lazarus of Bethany appears in the New Testament, specifically in the Gospel of John, where Jesus brings him back to life four days after his death. This event is counted among the miracles of Jesus. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, Lazarus is honored as Righteous Lazarus, the Four-Days Dead. Eastern Orthodox and Catholic traditions differ on what happened to him later in life.

The raising of Lazarus is the climactic moment among the seven signs in the Gospel of John. It takes place in Bethany, now the town of Al-Eizariya in the West Bank, Palestine—a name that means "the place of Lazarus." The story demonstrates Jesus’ power over death, described as "the last and most irresistible enemy of humanity," which is why it holds a prominent place in the gospel.

The name Lazarus appears frequently in science and popular culture to describe a return to life. Examples include the scientific term "Lazarus taxon," for organisms that reappear in the fossil record after seeming extinction, as well as the Lazarus sign and Lazarus syndrome. A North Korean cybercrime group is called the Lazarus Group, and the name shows up in many literary works.

A different character named Lazarus appears in the Gospel of Luke, in Jesus’ parable of the rich man and Lazarus. In that story, both men die, and the rich man begs for Lazarus to ease his suffering in hell.

The raising of Lazarus is recounted in John 11:1–44, and also appears in a fragment of an extended version of the Gospel of Mark known as the Secret Gospel of Mark. In John, this is the last miracle Jesus performs before his passion, crucifixion, and own resurrection.

The narrative introduces Lazarus as a follower of Jesus living in Bethany, near Jerusalem. He is the brother of Mary and Martha. The sisters send word that Lazarus, "the one You love," is sick. Jesus tells his followers, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it." He stays where he is for two more days before traveling. The disciples fear returning to Judea, but Jesus says, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to wake him up." When they misunderstand, he clarifies, "Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him."

Arriving in Bethany, Jesus finds Lazarus has been in the tomb for four days. He meets Martha, who laments, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died." Jesus replies, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies." Martha affirms her belief. Then Jesus meets Mary, who says the same thing. The narrator records, "Jesus wept."

At the tomb, Jesus asks for the stone to be removed. Martha objects, noting there will be a smell. Jesus responds, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" The stone is rolled away. Jesus prays, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I say this for the benefit of the people standing here, so they may believe that you sent me." He then calls, "Lazarus, come out!" Lazarus emerges, still wrapped in grave-cloths, and Jesus tells others to remove them. Many witnesses believe in him, while some report the event to religious authorities in Jerusalem.

John mentions Lazarus again in chapter 12. Six days before the Passover of Jesus’ crucifixion, Jesus returns to Bethany, and Lazarus attends a supper served by Martha. Jesus and Lazarus draw attention from many Jews, and the chief priests consider killing Lazarus because so many believe in Jesus due to the miracle.

This miracle is the longest coherent narrative in John aside from the Passion. It explains the crowds on Palm Sunday and directly leads to the decision of Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin to put Jesus on trial. A similar resurrection story appears in the controversial Secret Gospel of Mark, though the young man there is unnamed. Some scholars think the Secret Mark version is an earlier form of the canonical story.

The name "Lazarus" comes from the Greek rendering of the Hebrew "Eleazar," meaning "God has helped." Bede comments that of all the dead Jesus raised, Lazarus was most helped, having lain dead four days before being brought back to life.