The story of Lazarus being raised from the dead by Jesus is one of the most remarkable miracles recorded in the Bible. It is found in John 11:1-44. Lazarus was the brother of Mary and Martha who lived in Bethany. When Lazarus became ill, his sisters sent word to Jesus that “the one you love is sick” (John 11:3). However, Jesus did not go right away to Bethany, but waited two days before departing. When Jesus arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Martha met Jesus and told him if he had been there, Lazarus would not have died. Jesus told her that her brother would rise again. Martha believed in the resurrection at the last day, but 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” (John 11:25-26).
Jesus asked to be taken to Lazarus’ tomb, a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. After the stone was removed, Jesus prayed and called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” (John 11:43). The dead man came out with his hands and feet wrapped in strips of linen, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go” (John 11:44). This astonishing sign performed by Jesus led many to believe in him. However, it also provoked the chief priests and Pharisees to begin planning to kill Jesus, since so many Jews were believing in him because of this miracle (John 11:45-53).
The Bible does not record anything more about Lazarus’ life after he was raised from the dead. We are not told how long he lived or when and how he died. Presumably, he witnessed Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem a short time later, as John 12:1-2 mentions that Jesus returned to Bethany six days before the Passover and dined at the home of Lazarus with his sisters Mary and Martha. Lazarus sitting at the table with Jesus would have been a powerful testimony to Jesus’ messianic identity following his resurrection.
Beyond his presence at this dinner in Bethany, the Bible is silent regarding Lazarus’ life after his resurrection. Some traditions say Lazarus followed the apostles in their missionary activities, and that he became the first bishop of Cyprus. However, these accounts are considered legends without historical basis. All we know for certain from Scripture is that Jesus performed an incredible sign of his power over death by raising Lazarus, as a foretaste of his own resurrection to come.
There are several important implications from this account that give insight into what happens when someone is raised from the dead:
- Jesus has power over death – He is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25). His raising of Lazarus displayed his deity and glory as the Son of God (John 11:4).
- Resurrection gives evidence for belief – Many people believed in Jesus because of Lazarus coming back to life (John 11:45). Jesus said those who believe in him though they die will live (John 11:25).
- The physical body is reanimated – Lazarus came out of the tomb still wrapped in burial cloths. He returned to normal bodily life and function. Resurrection is not merely spiritual.
- Another physical death still awaits – Lazarus died once and was raised. He no doubt died a natural death again later. But all those who believe in Jesus will be raised again at the last day (John 11:24).
- The current natural order is disrupted – Death is an enemy that will ultimately be defeated. Raising Lazarus was a sign of the coming resurrection and the future restoration of all things (Acts 3:21).
Jesus said that even though someone dies, if they believe in him they will live again (John 11:25). The resurrection of Lazarus provides a concrete example of this truth. As amazing as it was for Lazarus to come back to life, the greater promise is that all those who have faith in Christ will also resurrect to eternal life. Death has been conquered through the power of the Savior. Just as Lazarus was unbound from the grave cloths, so also will those who know Jesus be liberated from their mortality. While we await that glorious day, the account of Lazarus reassures us that resurrection life is found in Christ.
Some key Bible passages that provide additional details about Lazarus:
- John 11:1-4 – Lazarus is identified as the brother of Mary and Martha who lived in Bethany. Jesus states that Lazarus’ sickness will not end in death but will bring glory to God.
- John 11:17 – Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days when Jesus arrived. This emphasizes the authenticity of the miracle, as there was no doubt Lazarus was truly dead.
- John 11:38-44 – Jesus commands the tomb to be opened, prays, calls Lazarus by name, and the dead man comes out alive.
- John 12:1-2 – Six days before Passover, Jesus returns to Bethany and eats with Lazarus, an open testimony to the resurrection.
- John 12:9-11 – Large crowds came to see both Jesus and Lazarus in Jerusalem, provoking the anger of the religious leaders.
In summary, the account of Lazarus being raised by Jesus is an unambiguous sign of Jesus’ divine identity and power over death. It serves as evidence leading many to faith in Christ. The resurrection of Lazarus foreshadows Jesus’ own resurrection as well as the future resurrection of all believers to eternal life. When Jesus calls Lazarus from the grave, He demonstrates His authority as the giver of life. Just as Lazarus emerged from the tomb, so also will those who know Christ Jesus rise to live forever with Him.
The story of Lazarus serves as a powerful testimony not only to Christ’s ability to conquer death, but also to the future hope all believers have in resurrection. Though the Bible does not tell us more details about Lazarus’ life following this amazing miracle, we do know this – just as Lazarus was raised and unbound from the grave, Christ will also raise to eternal life all those who place their faith in Him. The account of Lazarus points ahead to the greater reality of resurrection and eternal life found only in Jesus Christ.