Reference: Lazarus
American
1. A friend and disciple of Christ, brother of Martha and Mary, with whom he resided at Bethany near Jerusalem. Our Savior had a high regard for the family, and often visited them; and when Lazarus was dangerously ill, word was sent to Christ, "Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick." The Savior reached Bethany after he had lain four days in his grave, and restored him to life by a word, "Lazarus, come forth." This public and stupendous miracle drew so many to Christ, that his enemies sought to put both him and Lazarus to death, Joh 11; 12:1-11. The narrative displays Christ as a tender and compassionate friend, weeping for and with those he loved, and at the same time as the Prince of life, beginning his triumph over death and the grave. Happy are they who, in view of their own death, or that of friends, can know that they are safe in Him who says, "I am the resurrection and the life;" and, "because I live, ye shall live also."
2. The helpless beggar who lay at the rich man's gate in one of Christ's most solemn and instructive parables. The one, though poor and sorely afflicted, was a child of God. The other described as self-indulgent rather than vicious or criminal was living without God in the enjoyment of every earthly luxury. Their state in this life was greatly in contrast with their real character before God, which was revealed in the amazing changes of their condition at death, Lu 16:19-31. See ABRAHAM'S BOSOM. Our Savior plainly teaches us, in this parable, that both the friends and the foes of God know and begin to experience their doom immediately after death, and that it is in both cases unchangeable and eternal.
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There was a certain rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen, and feasted sumptuously every day. And there was a certain poor man named Lazarus, who was laid at his gate, full of sores: read more. and he would gladly have been fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table. And even the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the poor man died, and was carried by angels to Abra ham's bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried; and in hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus iii his bosom. And he called to him and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that, in your lifetime, you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus his evil things. But now he is comforted, and you are tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that they that would pass hence to you, can not; nor can they that would, pass thence to us. Then he said, I beseech you, therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house; for I have five brothers; that he may earnestly admonish them, lest they also come to this place of torment. Abraham said to him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. But he said, Not so, Father Abraham; but if one should go to them from the dead, they would repent. But he said to him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded, though one should rise from the dead.
Easton
an abbreviation of Eleazar, whom God helps. (1.) The brother of Mary and Martha of Bethany. He was raised from the dead after he had lain four days in the tomb (Joh 11:1-44). This miracle so excited the wrath of the Jews that they sought to put both Jesus and Lazarus to death.
(2.) A beggar named in the parable recorded Lu 16:19-31.
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There was a certain rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen, and feasted sumptuously every day. And there was a certain poor man named Lazarus, who was laid at his gate, full of sores: read more. and he would gladly have been fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table. And even the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the poor man died, and was carried by angels to Abra ham's bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried; and in hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus iii his bosom. And he called to him and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that, in your lifetime, you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus his evil things. But now he is comforted, and you are tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that they that would pass hence to you, can not; nor can they that would, pass thence to us. Then he said, I beseech you, therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house; for I have five brothers; that he may earnestly admonish them, lest they also come to this place of torment. Abraham said to him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. But he said, Not so, Father Abraham; but if one should go to them from the dead, they would repent. But he said to him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded, though one should rise from the dead.
Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus, of Bethany, the village of Mary and Martha her sister. It was the Mary that anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. read more. Therefore his sisters sent to him, saying: Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. But when Jesus heard it, he said: This sickness is not to death, but for the glory of God, that by it the Son of God may be glorified. Now, Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When, therefore, he heard that he was sick, he still remained two days in the place where he was. Then after this, he said to his disciples: Let us go into Judea again. His disciples said to him: Rabbi, the Jews just now sought to stone thee, and art thou going thither again? Jesus answered: Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any one walks during the day,, he does not stumble, for he sees the light of this world. But if any one walks in the night, he stumbles, be cause there is no light in him. Thus spoke he; and after this he said to them: Our friend Lazarus sleeps; but I go that I may awake him out of sleep. Then his disciples said: Lord, if he sleeps, he will be saved. Jesus spoke of his death; but they thought that he spoke of taking rest in sleep. Therefore, Jesus then said to them plainly: Lazarus is dead. And I rejoice, on your account, that I was not there, in order that you may believe. But let us go to him. Then Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow-disciples: Let us also go, that we may die with him. Then when Jesus came, he found that he had already been four days in the tomb. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off. And many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Then Martha, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went out to meet him; but Mary sat still in the house. Then Martha said to Jesus: Lord, if thou hadst been here my brother would not have died. But even now, I know that whatever thou wilt ask of God, God will give thee. Jesus said to her: Your brother shall rise again. Martha said to him: I know that he will rise, in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said to her: I am the resurrection, and the life; he that believes on me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and he that lives and believes on me, shall never die. Do you believe this? She said to him: Yes, Lord; I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world. And when she had said this, she went away, and called Mary, her sister, secretly, saying: The Teacher has come, and calls for you. When she heard it, she rose quickly and came to him. Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was in the place where Martha met him. Then the Jews that were with her in the house, and were comforting her, seeing Mary rise and go out quickly, followed her, saying: She is going to the tomb to weep there. Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him: Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother would not have died. Then, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews that came with her weeping also, he was greatly moved in spirit, and troubled; and he said: Where have you laid him? They said to him: Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. Then said the Jews: See how he loved him! And some of them said: Could not he, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have caused that even this man should not have died? Then Jesus, again greatly moved within himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was laid against it. Jesus said: Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, said to him: Lord, the body is offensive; for he has been dead four days. Jesus said to her: Did I not tell you, that, if you would believe, you should see the glory of God? Then they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted -up his eyes and said: Father, I thank thee, that thou hast heard me. I know, in deed, that thou dost always hear me. But for the sake of the multitude who stand around me, I have said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he had said these things, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that had been dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave-clothes; and his face was bound around with a handkerchief. Jesus said to them: Loose him, and let him go.
Fausets
LAZARUS or ELEAZAR ("God helps".)
1. Of Bethany; brother of Mary and Martha (Joh 11:1). (See BETHANY.) The sisters were the better known, from whence they are put prominently forward here, and in Lu 10:38, etc., are alone named. Lazarus was "of (apo, 'belonging to at that time') Bethany, from (ek, implying his original settlement) the village of Mary and Martha" (still it is likely the same village is meant in both Luke 10 and John 11, namely, Bethany). Curiously, Ganneau found close to Bethany a tomb, probably of the first century, containing the names all together of Simon, Martha, and Lazarus. Lazarus' subordinate position at their feast in Christ's honour (Joh 12:2) makes it likely he was the youngest. Moreover, the house is called that of Simon the leper (Mt 26:6; Mr 14:3); who was probably therefore their father, but either by death or leprosy no longer with them, though possibly he too, as a leper healed by Jesus, was then one of that happy family.
Their friends from Jerusalem (Joh 11:19), according to John's use of "the Jews," were of the ruling elders and Pharisees. The feast; the costly ointment, the family funeral cave (compare Isa 22:16; 2Ki 23:6; Jer 26:23), all bespeak good social position. The sisters' warm attachment to Lazarus was strengthened by their common love to Jesus who loved all three (Joh 11:5). Lazarus had won the disciples' love too, for Jesus calls him "our friend" (Joh 11:11). At the time of Lazarus' sickness and the sisters' call, Jesus was in Peraea beyond Jordan, on His way to Jerusalem, two days' journey from Bethany. He delayed two days to give time for that death which He foresaw, and from which He was about to raise Lazarus. On proposing to go to Judea, His disciples remonstrated on the ground that He would be going into the very danger from which He had just escaped (Joh 10:39-40; 11:8-10).
He replied that while His appointed day yet lasted He was safe, and that He was going to awaken Lazarus out of sleep. He was "glad" that He had not been on the spot before, that Lazarus' death and rising might awaken the disciples out of the deadness of unbelief. The sisters grieved at His seeming neglect. God sees cause for joy where even His people see only cause for grief. Four days had elapsed after the call when He arrived. Martha went and met Him, while Mary sat in the house, in beautiful harmony with the character of each respectively, described in Lu 10:40-42. Martha's faith had now become stronger; so she says, "Lord, I know that even now whatsoever Thou wilt ask of God, God will give it Thee (more buoyant in spirit than Mary, and cherishing even now a vague hope of her brother's restoration) ... Yea, Lord, I believe that Thou art the Christ the Son of God ... the Resurrection and the Life." Upon Martha telling Mary of Jesus' arrival and "call" for her, either expressed or implied ("secretly," through fear of Jewish informers, see Joh 11:28,46), the latter also came "quickly" to Him.
The Jews her friends, not having heard Martha's communication, supposed Mary was gone to the tomb to weep, but found her as of old "at Jesus' feet." Her words were fewer, but her action more impassioned, than those of her sister. So the whole company, Jesus, His disciples, the sisters, and their sympathizers, were met at the grave. At the sight of their weeping, Jesus "groaned in spirit," and troubled Himself, but checked His emotion which would otherwise have choked utterance. "Where have ye laid him?" Sympathy with their sorrow, which He was instantly to relieve, at last found vent in tears: "Jesus wept" (compare Lu 19:41; Heb 4:15). "Behold. how He loved him," the Jews, His adversaries, were constrained to exclaim. Their unbelief, "could not this man which opened the eyes of the blind (John 9, they allude not to the raising of Jairus' daughter and the widow of Nain's son, which took place in Galilee, but to the miracle which made such a stir in Jerusalem; they never thought of His raising the dead) have caused that even this man should not have died?" made Him "groan again."
Take away the stone. Martha, retaining still remainders of unbelief (she believed in Lazarus' future resurrection, but she hardly dared to believe what she herself had hinted at in Joh 11:22, that Christ will raise him now), objected on the ground of the body's presumed decomposition by this time. He tells her to "believe, so she shall see the glory of God." With a preparatory thanksgiving to the Father for the already felt answer to His prayer, He said, "Lazarus, come forth," and he came forth bound hand and foot, the graveclothes and napkin about his face. "Loose him, and let him go"; contrast Jesus' resurrection, the graveclothes and the napkin folded separately, because, unlike Lazarus, He was to die no more (Joh 20:6-7). The same miracle which converted some Jews to belief furnished others only with materials for informing the Pharisees against Him. It brought the plots of the rulers and Caiaphas to a crisis (Joh 11:45-53).
The very sign which the Pharisees desired in the parable of Lazarus (Lu 16:27-30) is now granted in the person of one of the same name, but only stimulates them to their crowning sin, to kill Jesus, nay even to kill Lazarus too (Joh 12:10). The same sun that develops the fragrant violet strengthens the poison of the deadly nightshade. This is the crucial miracle of the truth of the Gospels. Spinosa said if this were true he would tear his system in pieces and embrace Christianity. As the Lord's Judaean ministry was not the subject of the first three evangelists, but the Galilean, they omit the raising of Lazarus. The Jews' consultation to kill Lazarus, and his own probable shrinking from publicity after such a mysterious experience, perhaps further influenced them in their omission of the miracle. By John's time of writing the brother and sisters were dead, and no reason for reserve any longer existed.
Tradition says that Lazarus' first question on coming back was whether he should die again; on learning he must, he never smiled again. Such an impression was made by this miracle that many Jews flocked to Bethany to see both Jesus and Lazarus. The eye witnesses bore record, and the people who heard of it from them met Him on His way to Jerusalem, and formed part of His retinue in His triumphal entry with the palmbearing multitude (Joh 12:12,17-18). E. H. Plumptre (Smith's Dictionary) identifies Simon the leper with Simon the Pharisee (Lu 7:36-40); Martha had the Pharisees' belief in the resurrection (Joh 11:24); Mary's gift of the ointment was after the example of the sinful woman in Simon's house; the leprosy came on subsequently.
Also he identifies Lazarus with the rich young ruler (Matthew 19; Mark 10; Luke 18); Jesus' words to him, "one thing thou lackest," answer to His words to Martha. "one thing is needful"; "Jesus beholding loved him" (Mark) is said also of Lazarus (Joh 11:5); Jesus' love at last wrought out his conversion, possible to God though not to man; a sharp Palestine fever is sent to discipline him; his death and rising through Jesus' power is accompanied by his spiritual resurrection (Joh 5:24-25). Judas and the eleven expected, that the feast in Joh 12:2 was the farewell feast of Lazarus, renouncing his former life and obeying Christ's command, "sell that thou hast, and give to the poor"; hence, Judas' bitter objection, "why was not this ointment sold for 300 pence and given to the poor?"
On the night of Christ's betrayal Lazarus, whose Bethany home was near and was Christ's lodging on the previous night, in the hasty night alarm rushed eagerly with "the linen cloth (the term applied to graveclothes always, the same which he had on when the Lord raised him from the grave (Joh 11:44), sindon) cast about his naked body" (Mr 14:51-52; 15:46), and was seized by the high priest's servants as a second victim (Joh 12:10), whereas they let the other disciples escape.
2. Lazarus in the parable, Lu 16:19-31. The one unknown on earth has a name with God; the rich man, well known as a great man among men, has no name with God (Re 3:1). The historic Lazarus (John 11-12) belonged to the richer classes. Yet it is not a rich Lazarus, but Lazar
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Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes, and where thieves do not break through, nor steal. read more. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
I also say to you, That many shall come from the east and the west, and shall recline with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven; but the sons of the kingdom shall be cast into the darkness that is without. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
She replied: Yes, Lord; and yet thou canst help me; for the little dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from the table of their masters.
And while he was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, as he reclined at table, there came a woman that had an alabaster box of ointment of pure nard, very costly; and she broke the box, and poured it on his head.
And there followed him a certain young man, who had a linen garment around his naked body. And the young men laid hold of him; and he left the linen garment, and fled from them naked.
And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulcher that had been hewed out of a rock: and he rolled a stone to the door of the sepulcher.
Bring forth, therefore, fruits worthy of repentance. And begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for our father; for I say to you, that God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.
And one of the Pharisees invited him to eat with him. And he went into the house of the Pharisee, and reclined at table. And, behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she knew that he reclined at table in the house of the Pharisee, brought an alabaster box of ointment, read more. and stood behind at his feet, weeping; and she began to wash his feet with her tears; and she wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. But when the Pharisee who had invited him, saw it, he said within himself: This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who, and what sort of woman this is that touches him; for she is a sinner. And Jesus answered and said to him: Simon, I have some thing to say to you. He replied: Teacher, say on.
And it came to pass, as they continued their journey, that he entered a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
But Martha made herself busy with much serving; and she came to him, and said: Lord, dost thou not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Bid her, therefore, that she help me. But Jesus answered and said to her: Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things: read more. one thing is needful; and Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken from her.
And he said to them: You set yourselves forth as righteous before men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men, is detestable in the sight of God.
There was a certain rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen, and feasted sumptuously every day. And there was a certain poor man named Lazarus, who was laid at his gate, full of sores: read more. and he would gladly have been fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table. And even the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the poor man died, and was carried by angels to Abra ham's bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried; and in hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus iii his bosom. And he called to him and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that, in your lifetime, you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus his evil things. But now he is comforted, and you are tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that they that would pass hence to you, can not; nor can they that would, pass thence to us. Then he said, I beseech you, therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house;
Then he said, I beseech you, therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house;
Then he said, I beseech you, therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house; for I have five brothers; that he may earnestly admonish them, lest they also come to this place of torment.
for I have five brothers; that he may earnestly admonish them, lest they also come to this place of torment.
for I have five brothers; that he may earnestly admonish them, lest they also come to this place of torment. Abraham said to him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
Abraham said to him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
Abraham said to him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. But he said, Not so, Father Abraham; but if one should go to them from the dead, they would repent.
But he said, Not so, Father Abraham; but if one should go to them from the dead, they would repent.
But he said, Not so, Father Abraham; but if one should go to them from the dead, they would repent.
But he said, Not so, Father Abraham; but if one should go to them from the dead, they would repent. But he said to him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded, though one should rise from the dead.
But he said to him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded, though one should rise from the dead.
And when he came near, he looked upon the city, and wept over it,
Verily, verily I say to you, He that hears my word, and believes on him that sent me, has eternal life, and comes not into condemnation, but has passed from death into life. Verily, verily I say to you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear, shall live.
Then they sought again to take him, but he escaped from their hands. And he went away again beyond the Jordan, to the place where John first immersed, and there he abode.
Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus, of Bethany, the village of Mary and Martha her sister.
Now, Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
Now, Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
His disciples said to him: Rabbi, the Jews just now sought to stone thee, and art thou going thither again? Jesus answered: Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any one walks during the day,, he does not stumble, for he sees the light of this world. read more. But if any one walks in the night, he stumbles, be cause there is no light in him. Thus spoke he; and after this he said to them: Our friend Lazarus sleeps; but I go that I may awake him out of sleep.
And many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
But even now, I know that whatever thou wilt ask of God, God will give thee.
Martha said to him: I know that he will rise, in the resurrection at the last day.
And when she had said this, she went away, and called Mary, her sister, secretly, saying: The Teacher has come, and calls for you.
And he that had been dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave-clothes; and his face was bound around with a handkerchief. Jesus said to them: Loose him, and let him go. Then many of the Jews that had come to Mary, and who saw what he had done, believed on him. read more. But some of them went away to the Pharisees, and told them what Jesus had done.
But some of them went away to the Pharisees, and told them what Jesus had done. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called together the Sanhedrin, and said: What are we doing? For this man does many signs. read more. If we thus let him alone, all will believe on him, and the Romans will come and take away our place and our nation. But one of them, Caiaphas, who was chief priest that year, said to them: You know nothing, nor do you consider that it is profitable for us, that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish. But this he did not speak of himself; but being chief priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was about to die for the nation; and not for the nation only, but that he should gather into one the children of God that were scattered abroad. From that day, therefore, they consulted together to put him to death.
There they made him a supper, and Martha served; but Lazarus was one of those who reclined at table with him.
There they made him a supper, and Martha served; but Lazarus was one of those who reclined at table with him.
But the chief priests consulted that they might kill Lazarus also,
But the chief priests consulted that they might kill Lazarus also,
But the chief priests consulted that they might kill Lazarus also, because on account of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus. read more. On the next day, a great multitude that had come to the feast, having heard that Jesus was coming into Jerusalem,
The multitude therefore that was with him, testified that he had called Lazarus out of the tomb, and raised him from the dead. For this reason, also, the multitude met him, be cause they had heard that he had done this sign.
And he that was reclining on Jesus breast, said to him: Lord, who is it?
His disciples said to him: Lo, now thou speakest plainly, and speakest no parable.
Then came Simon Peter, following him; and he went into the tomb, and saw the linen cloths lying, and the handkerchief that had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded in a place by itself.
And he gave him no inheritance in it, not a foot breadth: and yet he promised to give it for a possession to him, and to his posterity after him, when as yet he had no child.
"What? Is it thought a thing incredible among you, that God raises the dead?
For we have not a high priest that can not sympathize with our infirmities; but he was tempted in all things like ourselves, yet without sin.
All these died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off. and having embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and sojourners in the land.
And to the angel of the church in Sardis, write: These things says he that has the seven spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know your works, that you have a name, that you live, and are dead.
Hastings
A common Jewish name, a colloquial abbreviation of Eleazar.
1. The brother of Martha and Mary, the friend of Jesus (Joh 11:3,11,36, where 'love' and 'friend' represent the same root in Greek). The family lived at Bethany, a village within two miles of Jerusalem just over the brow of Olivet. Lazarus was the subject of the greatest miracle of the Gospel story (Joh 11:1-44). In the last year of His ministry Jesus sojourned at Jerusalem from the Feast of Tabernacles in October to that of the Dedication in December; and, on being driven out by the violence of the rulers (Joh 10:31,39), He retired to 'Bethany beyond Jordan' (Joh 10:40; cf. Joh 1:28 RV). A crowd followed Him thither, and in the midst of His beneficent activities of teaching and healing tidings reached Him that His friend had fallen sick. He might have responded immediately to the sisters' appeal either by hastening to their home and laying His hand on the sick man, or by sending forth His word of power and healing him across the intervening distance of some twenty miles (cf. Joh 4:46-54; Mt 15:21-28 = Mr 7:24-30). But He did neither; He remained where He was for two days, until Lazarus was dead. He desired not only to manifest His power to His friends, but to make a signal appeal to impenitent Jerusalem, by working a miracle which would attest His Messiahship beyond all question.
At length He set forth. If the messenger started in the morning, he would reach Jesus the same evening. Jesus stayed two days, and setting out early would arrive on the evening of the fourth day. Thus on His arrival Lazarus had been dead four days (Joh 11:39). In that sultry climate burial followed immediately on death, and it sometimes happened that a swoon was mistaken for death, and the buried man came to life again. The Jewish belief was that the soul hovered about the sepulchre for three days, fain to re-animate its clay. On the fourth day decomposition set in, and hope was then abandoned. Jesus arrived on the fourth day, and there was no doubt of the reality of Lazarus' death and of the ensuing miracle. It was not a recovery from a trance, but a veritable resurrection. He went to the rock-hewn sepulchre, and in presence of the sisters and a large company of mourners, including many of the rulers who had come from the adjacent capital to testify their esteem for the good Lazarus and their sympathy with Martha and Mary (Joh 11:19), summoned the dead man forth and restored him, alive and well, to his home. It was a startling miracle. It made a profound impression on the multitude, but it only exasperated the rulers. They convened a meeting of the Sanhedrin and determined to put Jesus to death (Joh 11:47-53).
He retired to Ephraim near the frontier of Samaria, and stayed there until the Passover drew near; then He set out for Jerusalem to keep the Feast and to die. Six days before it began (Joh 12:1), He reached Bethany, and despite the Sanhedrin's decree He received a great ovation. He was honoured with a banquet in the house of one of the leading men of the village, Simon, who had been a leper and had probably been healed by Jesus (Joh 12:2-11 = Mt 26:6-13 = Mr 14:3-9). Lazarus was one of the company. The news of His arrival at Bethany reached Jerusalem, and next day the multitude thronged out and escorted Him in triumph into the city. It was the raising of Lazarus that excited their enthusiasm (Joh 12:3,17-18).
After this Lazarus appears no more in the Gospel story. Surely he of all men should have stood by Jesus at His trial and crucifixion; and the explanation of his absence is probably that he had been forced to flee. Observing the popular enthusiasm, the infuriated rulers had determined to put him also to death (Joh 12:10-11). He would withdraw more for Jesus' sake than for his own. His presence only increased the Master's danger.
2. The beggar in our Lord's parable (Lu 16:19-31).
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I also say to you, That many shall come from the east and the west, and shall recline with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven;
And Jesus went out thence, and withdrew into the regions of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Chanaan came out from those borders, and cried to him, saying: Have mercy on me, Lord, son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a demon. read more. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying: Send her away, for she cries after us. But he answered and said: I am not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. But she came and did him homage, saying: Lord, help me. He answered and said: It is not good to take the children's bread, and throw it to the little dogs. She replied: Yes, Lord; and yet thou canst help me; for the little dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from the table of their masters. Then Jesus answered and said to her: woman, great is your faith; be it to you as you desire. And her daughter was restored to health from that hour.
When Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, there came to him a woman who had an alabaster box of very costly ointment; and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. read more. But when his disciples saw it, they were displeased, and said: For what purpose was this waste? For this could have been sold for much, and given to the poor. Jesus perceived it, and said to them: Why do you trouble the woman? For she has performed a good work upon me. For you have the poor always with you, but me you have not always. For in pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. Verily I say to you, Wherever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, this also which she has done shall be told for a memorial of her.
And he arose and departed thence to the borders of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house, and desired that no one should know it; but he could not escape notice. For a woman, whose little daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet; read more. (the woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation,) and she besought him to cast the demon out of her daughter. But Jesus said to her: Let the children be satisfied first; for it is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs. She answered and said to him: Yes, Lord; and yd you can help me, for the little dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs. And he said to her: For this saying, go your way: the demon has gone out of your daughter. And she went to her house, and found the demon gone out, and her daughter lying upon the bed.
And while he was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, as he reclined at table, there came a woman that had an alabaster box of ointment of pure nard, very costly; and she broke the box, and poured it on his head. And some of them were displeased within themselves, and said: For what purpose was this waste of the ointment? read more. For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and given to the poor. And they murmured against her. But Jesus said: Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good work on me. For you have the poor with you always; and whenever you choose, you can do them good; but me you have not always. She has done what she could; she has come beforehand to anoint my body for its burial. Verily I say to you, wherever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also which she has done shall be told, for a memorial of her.
And I say to you, Make for yourselves friends with the unrighteous riches, that when you fail, you may be received into the everlasting habitations.
There was a certain rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen, and feasted sumptuously every day. And there was a certain poor man named Lazarus, who was laid at his gate, full of sores: read more. and he would gladly have been fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table. And even the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the poor man died, and was carried by angels to Abra ham's bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried; and in hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus iii his bosom. And he called to him and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that, in your lifetime, you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus his evil things. But now he is comforted, and you are tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that they that would pass hence to you, can not; nor can they that would, pass thence to us. Then he said, I beseech you, therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house; for I have five brothers; that he may earnestly admonish them, lest they also come to this place of torment. Abraham said to him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. But he said, Not so, Father Abraham; but if one should go to them from the dead, they would repent. But he said to him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded, though one should rise from the dead.
These things were done in Beth any, beyond the Jordan, where John was immersing.
Then Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And there was a certain courtier, whose sou was sick in Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea into Galilee, he went to him, and besought him that he would come down, and restore his son to health, for he was about to die. read more. Then said Jesus to him: Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe. The courtier said to him: Sir, come down before my child die. Jesus said to him: Go, your child lives. And the man believed the word that Jesus spoke, and departed. And as he was going down, his servants met him, and said: Your son lives. Then he inquired of them the hour in which he was restored to health. And they said to him: Yesterday, at the seventh hour, the fever left him. Then his father knew that it was in the same hour in which Jesus said to him, Your son lives. And he himself, and all his house, believed. This is the second sign which Jesus did, when he came out of Judea into Galilee.
Then the Jews took up stones again, to stone him.
Then they sought again to take him, but he escaped from their hands. And he went away again beyond the Jordan, to the place where John first immersed, and there he abode.
Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus, of Bethany, the village of Mary and Martha her sister. It was the Mary that anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. read more. Therefore his sisters sent to him, saying: Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
Therefore his sisters sent to him, saying: Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. But when Jesus heard it, he said: This sickness is not to death, but for the glory of God, that by it the Son of God may be glorified. read more. Now, Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When, therefore, he heard that he was sick, he still remained two days in the place where he was. Then after this, he said to his disciples: Let us go into Judea again. His disciples said to him: Rabbi, the Jews just now sought to stone thee, and art thou going thither again? Jesus answered: Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any one walks during the day,, he does not stumble, for he sees the light of this world. But if any one walks in the night, he stumbles, be cause there is no light in him. Thus spoke he; and after this he said to them: Our friend Lazarus sleeps; but I go that I may awake him out of sleep.
Thus spoke he; and after this he said to them: Our friend Lazarus sleeps; but I go that I may awake him out of sleep. Then his disciples said: Lord, if he sleeps, he will be saved. read more. Jesus spoke of his death; but they thought that he spoke of taking rest in sleep. Therefore, Jesus then said to them plainly: Lazarus is dead. And I rejoice, on your account, that I was not there, in order that you may believe. But let us go to him. Then Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow-disciples: Let us also go, that we may die with him. Then when Jesus came, he found that he had already been four days in the tomb. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off. And many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
And many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Then Martha, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went out to meet him; but Mary sat still in the house. read more. Then Martha said to Jesus: Lord, if thou hadst been here my brother would not have died. But even now, I know that whatever thou wilt ask of God, God will give thee. Jesus said to her: Your brother shall rise again. Martha said to him: I know that he will rise, in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said to her: I am the resurrection, and the life; he that believes on me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and he that lives and believes on me, shall never die. Do you believe this? She said to him: Yes, Lord; I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world. And when she had said this, she went away, and called Mary, her sister, secretly, saying: The Teacher has come, and calls for you. When she heard it, she rose quickly and came to him. Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was in the place where Martha met him. Then the Jews that were with her in the house, and were comforting her, seeing Mary rise and go out quickly, followed her, saying: She is going to the tomb to weep there. Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him: Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother would not have died. Then, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews that came with her weeping also, he was greatly moved in spirit, and troubled; and he said: Where have you laid him? They said to him: Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. Then said the Jews: See how he loved him!
Then said the Jews: See how he loved him! And some of them said: Could not he, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have caused that even this man should not have died? read more. Then Jesus, again greatly moved within himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was laid against it. Jesus said: Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, said to him: Lord, the body is offensive; for he has been dead four days.
Jesus said: Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, said to him: Lord, the body is offensive; for he has been dead four days. Jesus said to her: Did I not tell you, that, if you would believe, you should see the glory of God? read more. Then they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted -up his eyes and said: Father, I thank thee, that thou hast heard me. I know, in deed, that thou dost always hear me. But for the sake of the multitude who stand around me, I have said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he had said these things, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that had been dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave-clothes; and his face was bound around with a handkerchief. Jesus said to them: Loose him, and let him go.
Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called together the Sanhedrin, and said: What are we doing? For this man does many signs. If we thus let him alone, all will believe on him, and the Romans will come and take away our place and our nation. read more. But one of them, Caiaphas, who was chief priest that year, said to them: You know nothing, nor do you consider that it is profitable for us, that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish. But this he did not speak of himself; but being chief priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was about to die for the nation; and not for the nation only, but that he should gather into one the children of God that were scattered abroad. From that day, therefore, they consulted together to put him to death.
Then, six days before the passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, who had been dead, whom he had raised from the dead. There they made him a supper, and Martha served; but Lazarus was one of those who reclined at table with him. read more. Then Mary took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the perfume of the ointment.
Then Mary took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the perfume of the ointment. Then said one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, who was about to deliver him up: read more. Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred denarii, and given to the poor? But he said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the purse, and took what was put in it. Then Jesus said: Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of my burial. For the poor you have always with you; but me you have not always. Therefore, a great multitude of the Jews learned that he was there; and they came, not on account of Jesus only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. But the chief priests consulted that they might kill Lazarus also,
But the chief priests consulted that they might kill Lazarus also, because on account of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
because on account of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
The multitude therefore that was with him, testified that he had called Lazarus out of the tomb, and raised him from the dead. For this reason, also, the multitude met him, be cause they had heard that he had done this sign.
There was reclining on the bosom of Jesus, one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
There was reclining on the bosom of Jesus, one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
Morish
Laz'arus
1. Brother of Martha and Mary, and a resident at Bethany. Jesus loved them all, and He spoke of Lazarus as 'our friend.' Very little is recorded of him except the striking fact that he was raised from the dead by the Lord Jesus, which manifested the glory of God and glorified the Son of God. When his sisters made the Lord a supper at Bethany, Lazarus was one of those who sat with Him. He was a living witness of the power of the Son of God over death, and as such he was in danger of being killed by the Jews, on account of many believing on the Lord because of him. Joh 11:1-43; 12:1-17.
2. The poor man in the parable of Luke 16. His circumstances are related
See Verses Found in Dictionary
There was a certain rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen, and feasted sumptuously every day. And there was a certain poor man named Lazarus, who was laid at his gate, full of sores: read more. and he would gladly have been fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table. And even the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the poor man died, and was carried by angels to Abra ham's bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried; and in hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus iii his bosom. And he called to him and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that, in your lifetime, you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus his evil things. But now he is comforted, and you are tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that they that would pass hence to you, can not; nor can they that would, pass thence to us. Then he said, I beseech you, therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house; for I have five brothers; that he may earnestly admonish them, lest they also come to this place of torment. Abraham said to him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. But he said, Not so, Father Abraham; but if one should go to them from the dead, they would repent. But he said to him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded, though one should rise from the dead.
Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus, of Bethany, the village of Mary and Martha her sister. It was the Mary that anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. read more. Therefore his sisters sent to him, saying: Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. But when Jesus heard it, he said: This sickness is not to death, but for the glory of God, that by it the Son of God may be glorified. Now, Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When, therefore, he heard that he was sick, he still remained two days in the place where he was. Then after this, he said to his disciples: Let us go into Judea again. His disciples said to him: Rabbi, the Jews just now sought to stone thee, and art thou going thither again? Jesus answered: Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any one walks during the day,, he does not stumble, for he sees the light of this world. But if any one walks in the night, he stumbles, be cause there is no light in him. Thus spoke he; and after this he said to them: Our friend Lazarus sleeps; but I go that I may awake him out of sleep. Then his disciples said: Lord, if he sleeps, he will be saved. Jesus spoke of his death; but they thought that he spoke of taking rest in sleep. Therefore, Jesus then said to them plainly: Lazarus is dead. And I rejoice, on your account, that I was not there, in order that you may believe. But let us go to him. Then Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow-disciples: Let us also go, that we may die with him. Then when Jesus came, he found that he had already been four days in the tomb. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off. And many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Then Martha, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went out to meet him; but Mary sat still in the house. Then Martha said to Jesus: Lord, if thou hadst been here my brother would not have died. But even now, I know that whatever thou wilt ask of God, God will give thee. Jesus said to her: Your brother shall rise again. Martha said to him: I know that he will rise, in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said to her: I am the resurrection, and the life; he that believes on me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and he that lives and believes on me, shall never die. Do you believe this? She said to him: Yes, Lord; I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world. And when she had said this, she went away, and called Mary, her sister, secretly, saying: The Teacher has come, and calls for you. When she heard it, she rose quickly and came to him. Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was in the place where Martha met him. Then the Jews that were with her in the house, and were comforting her, seeing Mary rise and go out quickly, followed her, saying: She is going to the tomb to weep there. Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him: Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother would not have died. Then, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews that came with her weeping also, he was greatly moved in spirit, and troubled; and he said: Where have you laid him? They said to him: Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. Then said the Jews: See how he loved him! And some of them said: Could not he, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have caused that even this man should not have died? Then Jesus, again greatly moved within himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was laid against it. Jesus said: Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, said to him: Lord, the body is offensive; for he has been dead four days. Jesus said to her: Did I not tell you, that, if you would believe, you should see the glory of God? Then they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted -up his eyes and said: Father, I thank thee, that thou hast heard me. I know, in deed, that thou dost always hear me. But for the sake of the multitude who stand around me, I have said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he had said these things, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
Then, six days before the passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, who had been dead, whom he had raised from the dead. There they made him a supper, and Martha served; but Lazarus was one of those who reclined at table with him. read more. Then Mary took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the perfume of the ointment. Then said one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, who was about to deliver him up: Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred denarii, and given to the poor? But he said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the purse, and took what was put in it. Then Jesus said: Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of my burial. For the poor you have always with you; but me you have not always. Therefore, a great multitude of the Jews learned that he was there; and they came, not on account of Jesus only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. But the chief priests consulted that they might kill Lazarus also, because on account of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus. On the next day, a great multitude that had come to the feast, having heard that Jesus was coming into Jerusalem, took branches of palm-trees, and went out to meet him, and cried: Hosanna, blessed is the king of Israel that comes in the name of the Lord. And Jesus, having found a young ass, sat upon him, as it is written: Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king comes, sitting on the colt of an ass. His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things to him. The multitude therefore that was with him, testified that he had called Lazarus out of the tomb, and raised him from the dead.
Smith
Laz'arus
(whom God helps), another form of the Hebrew name Eleazar.
1. Lazarus of Bethany, the brother of Martha and Mary.
Joh 11:1
All that we know of him is derived from the Gospel of St. John, and that records little more than the facts of his death and resurrection. The language of
Joh 11:1
implies that the sisters were the better known. Lazarus is "of Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister Martha." From this and from the order of the three names in
Joh 11:5
we may reasonably infer that Lazarus was the youngest of the family. All the circumstances of John 11 and 12 point to wealth and social position above the average.
2. The name of a poor man in the well-known parable of
Lu 16:19-31
The name of Lazarus has been perpetuated in an institution of the Christian Church. The leper of the Middle Ages appears as a lazzaro. The use of lazaretto and lazarhouse for the leper hospitals then founded in all parts of western Christendom, no less than that of lazaroni for the mendicants of Italian towns, is an indication of the effect of the parable upon the mind of Europe in the Middle Ages, and thence upon its later speech.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus, of Bethany, the village of Mary and Martha her sister.
Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus, of Bethany, the village of Mary and Martha her sister.
Now, Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
Watsons
LAZARUS, brother to Martha and Mary. He dwelt at Bethany with his sisters, near Jerusalem; and the Lord Jesus did him the honour sometimes of lodging at his house when he visited the city. See the account of his resurrection related at large in Joh 11:5, &c.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Now, Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.