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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A certain man was rich, and was clothed in purple and fine linen, being daily splendidly gladdened: And there was a certain beggar, Lazarus by name, who was cast at his gate, having been wounded, read more. And eagerly desirous to be fed from crumbs falling from the rich one's table: but also the dogs, coming, licked off his wounds. And it was, the beggar died, and was carried by messengers into Abraham's bosom: and the rich one died also, and was buried; And in hades, having lifted up his eyes, being in torments, he sees Abraham from far off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he having called out, said, Father Abraham, pity me, and send Lazarus, that he might dip his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Child, remember that thou didst receive thy good things in thy life, and Lazarus likewise evil things: and now here is he comforted, and thou art tormented. And besides all these, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed: so that they wishing to pass through thence to you could not; neither could they cross over from thence to us. And he said, Then I ask thee, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he might testify to them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham says to him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if some one from the dead go to them, they will change the mind. And he said to him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither if any rise from the dead, will they be persueded.
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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A certain man was rich, and was clothed in purple and fine linen, being daily splendidly gladdened: And there was a certain beggar, Lazarus by name, who was cast at his gate, having been wounded, read more. And eagerly desirous to be fed from crumbs falling from the rich one's table: but also the dogs, coming, licked off his wounds. And it was, the beggar died, and was carried by messengers into Abraham's bosom: and the rich one died also, and was buried; And in hades, having lifted up his eyes, being in torments, he sees Abraham from far off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he having called out, said, Father Abraham, pity me, and send Lazarus, that he might dip his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Child, remember that thou didst receive thy good things in thy life, and Lazarus likewise evil things: and now here is he comforted, and thou art tormented. And besides all these, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed: so that they wishing to pass through thence to you could not; neither could they cross over from thence to us. And he said, Then I ask thee, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he might testify to them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham says to him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if some one from the dead go to them, they will change the mind. And he said to him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither if any rise from the dead, will they be persueded.
And a certain Lazarus was sick, from Bethany, of the town of Mary And Martha her sister. (And Mary was she having anointed the Lord with perfumed oil, and wiped his feet with her hairs, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) read more. Then sent the sisters to him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. And Jesus having heard, said, This sickness is not to death, but for the glory of God, that by it the Son of God be honoured. And Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When therefore he heard that he is sick, then indeed he remained in the place in which he was two days. Then after this he says to his disciples, Let us go into Judea again. The disciples say to him, Rabbi, now the Jews sought to stone thee; and retirest thou there again? Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours of the day.? If any walk in the day, he stumbles not, for he sees the light of this world. But if any walk in the night, he stumbles, for light is not in him. These things said he: and after this he says to them, Lazarus our friend has been set to sleep; but I go, that I might waken him. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he has been set to sleep, he shall be saved. And Jesus spake of his death: but these supposed that he speaks of the repose of sleep. Then therefore Jesus said to them with freedom of speech, Lazarus is dead. And I rejoice for you, that ye might believe, that I was not there; but let us go to him. Then said Thomas, called Didymus, to his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we might die with him. Then Jesus, having come, found him having four days already in the tomb. And Bethany was near Jerusalem, about fifteen stadia. And many of the Jews were come to them about Martha and Many, that they might console them for their brother. Then Martha, when she heard that Jesus comes, met him: and Mary sat in the house. Then said Martha to Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But now I also know, that whatever thou shalt ask of God, God will give thee. Jesus says to her, Thy brother shall arise. Martha says to him, I know that he shall rise at the rising up in the last day. Jesus said to her, I am the rising up, and life: he believing in me, though he die, shall live. And all living and believing in me should never die. Believest thou this? She says to him, Yes, Lord: I have believed that thou art Christ, the Son of God, he coming into the world. And having said these, she departed and called Mary her sister secretly, having said, The Teacher is come, and calls thee. She, when she heard, arises quickly, and comes to him. And Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met him. Then the Jews being in the house with her, and consoling her, having seen Mary, that she rose quickly and went forth, followed her, saying, That she retires to the tomb, that she might weep there. Then Mary, when she came where Jesus was, seeing him, fell at his feet, saying to him, Lord, if thou wert here, my brother had not died. Then Jesus, when he saw her weeping, and the Jews weeping having come with her, was heavy in spirit, and troubled himself, And said, Where have ye laid him? They say to him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, See how he loved him I And certain of them said, Could not he having opened the eyes of the blind, have made that this should not die? Then Jesus again being heavy in himself, comes to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was laid upon it. Jesus says, Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of the dead, says to him, Lord, he already smells: for it is the fourth day. Jesus says to her, Said I not to thee, if thou shouldest believe, thou shalt see the glory of God Then took they away the stone where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes above, and said, Father, I return thee thanks that thou didst hear me. And I knew that thou always hearest me: but for the crowd standing round I said, that they might believe that thou didst send me. And having said these, he cried out with a great voice, Lazarus, come out. And the dead came out, bound feet and hands with bandages; and his face was bound with a napkin. Jesus says to them, Loose him, and let him retire.
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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What to thee here, and who to thee here, that thou hewedst to thee here a tomb, he hewing from on high his tomb and cutting in a dwelling in a rock to himself?
And they will bring forth Urijah from Egypt and bring him to king Jehoiakim; and he will strike him with the sword, and cast his carcass into the graves of the sons of the people.
Treasure not up to you treasures upon earth, where moth and gnawing destroy, and thieves dig through and steal: But treasure to you treasures in heaven, where neither moth, nor gnawing destroy; and where thieves dig not through, nor steal. read more. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
And I say to you, That many shall come from the sunrising and the descents, and shall recline with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of the heavens. But the sons of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness; weeping shall be there, and gnashing of teeth.
And she said, Yes, Lord; for the little dogs also eat from the crumbs falling from the table of their lord.
And he being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leprous, he reclining at table, a woman came having an alabaster box of perfumed oil of persuasive, costly, spikenard;. and having broken the alabaster box, she poured upon his head.
And one certain young man followed him, having cast a garment of fine linen over his nakedness; and the young men seized him: And having left the fine linen garment, he fled from them naked.
And having bought fine linen, and taken him down, he rolled in fine linen, and placed him in a tomb, which was quarried out of a rock, and he rolled a stone at the door of the tomb.
Do ye therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to, say in yourselves, We have a father A braham : for I say to you, That God is able to raise children to Abraham of these stones.
And a certain one of the Pharisees asked him that he would eat with him. And having come into the Pharisee's house, he reclined. And, behold, a woman in the city, who was sinful, knowing that he is reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, having brought an alabaster box of perfumed oil, read more. And stood at his feet behind, weeping, been to wet his feet with tears, and wiped with the hairs of her head; and she kissed his feet, and anointed with the perfumed oil. And the Pharisee having called him, seeing, said within himself, This, if he were a prophet, had known who and what race of woman which had touched him: for she is sinful. And Jesus having answered, said to him, Simon, I have something to say to thee. And he says, Teacher, speak.
And it was in their going forth, and he came to a certain town : and a certain woman by the name of Martha received him in her house.
And Martha was perplexed about much service, and having stood before, said, Lord, carest thou not that my sister left me to serve alone ? speak therefore to her that she may lay hold and assist with me. And Jesus having answered, said to her, Martha,.Martha, thou bast care, and art confused about many things read more. And of one thing there is need : and Mary has chosen the 'good part which shall not betaken away from her.
And he said to them, Ye are they justifying yourselves before men; and God knows your hearts: for the high with men is abomination before God.
A certain man was rich, and was clothed in purple and fine linen, being daily splendidly gladdened: And there was a certain beggar, Lazarus by name, who was cast at his gate, having been wounded, read more. And eagerly desirous to be fed from crumbs falling from the rich one's table: but also the dogs, coming, licked off his wounds. And it was, the beggar died, and was carried by messengers into Abraham's bosom: and the rich one died also, and was buried; And in hades, having lifted up his eyes, being in torments, he sees Abraham from far off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he having called out, said, Father Abraham, pity me, and send Lazarus, that he might dip his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Child, remember that thou didst receive thy good things in thy life, and Lazarus likewise evil things: and now here is he comforted, and thou art tormented. And besides all these, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed: so that they wishing to pass through thence to you could not; neither could they cross over from thence to us. And he said, Then I ask thee, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:
And he said, Then I ask thee, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:
And he said, Then I ask thee, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he might testify to them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
For I have five brethren; that he might testify to them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
For I have five brethren; that he might testify to them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham says to him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
Abraham says to him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
Abraham says to him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if some one from the dead go to them, they will change the mind.
And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if some one from the dead go to them, they will change the mind.
And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if some one from the dead go to them, they will change the mind.
And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if some one from the dead go to them, they will change the mind. And he said to him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither if any rise from the dead, will they be persueded.
And he said to him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither if any rise from the dead, will they be persueded.
And as he drew near, having seen the city, he wept over it,
Truly, truly, I say to you, That he hearing my word, and believing him having sent me, has eternal life, and comes not into judgment; but has passed from death to life. Truly, truly, I say to you, That the hour comes, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they hearing shall live.
Then sought they again to take him: and he went out from their hand, And again he departed beyond Jordan to the place where John was first immersing; and he remained there.
And a certain Lazarus was sick, from Bethany, of the town of Mary And Martha her sister.
And Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
And Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
The disciples say to him, Rabbi, now the Jews sought to stone thee; and retirest thou there again? Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours of the day.? If any walk in the day, he stumbles not, for he sees the light of this world. read more. But if any walk in the night, he stumbles, for light is not in him. These things said he: and after this he says to them, Lazarus our friend has been set to sleep; but I go, that I might waken him.
And many of the Jews were come to them about Martha and Many, that they might console them for their brother.
But now I also know, that whatever thou shalt ask of God, God will give thee.
Martha says to him, I know that he shall rise at the rising up in the last day.
And having said these, she departed and called Mary her sister secretly, having said, The Teacher is come, and calls thee.
And the dead came out, bound feet and hands with bandages; and his face was bound with a napkin. Jesus says to them, Loose him, and let him retire. Then many of the Jews, having come to Mary, and seeing what Jesus did, believed in him. read more. But certain of them departed to the Pharisees, and said to them what Jesus did.
But certain of them departed to the Pharisees, and said to them what Jesus did. Then gathered together the chief priests and Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man does many signs. read more. If we let him thus go, all will believe on him: and the Romans will come and take away also our place and nation. And a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being chief priest that year, said to them, Ye know nothing, Neither turn ye in your thoughts that it is profitable to us, that one man die for the people, and the nation perish not. And this he said not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was about to die for the nation; And not for the nation alone, but that also the children of God, scattered, should be gathered into one. Then from that day they counselled together that they might kill him.
Then made they him a supper there, and Martha served; and Lazarus was one of them reclining at table with him.
Then made they him a supper there, and Martha served; and Lazarus was one of them reclining at table with him.
And the chief priests took counsel that they might also kill Lazarus;
And the chief priests took counsel that they might also kill Lazarus;
And the chief priests took counsel that they might also kill Lazarus; Because many for him retired, and believed in Jesus. read more. The morrow a great crowd, having come to the festival, having heard that Jesus comes to Jerusalem,
The crowd therefore testified which being with him, that he called Lazarus out of the tomb, and raised him from the dead. And for this the crowd met him, for they heard he had done this sign.
And he reclining upon Jesus' breast says to him, Lord, who is it?
His disciples say to him, See, now thou speakest with freedom of speech, and sayest no proverb.
Then comes Simon Peter following him, and he came into the tomb, and sees the linen bandages lying, And the napkin, which was upon his head, not lying with the linen bandages, but separately inwrapped in one place.
And he gave him none inheritance in it, not a step of the foot: and he promised to give it him for a possession, and to his seed after him, there being no child to him.
Why is it judged incredible by you, if God raise the dead?
For we have not a chief priest unable to suffer with our weaknesses; but tried in all things as a resemblance, without sin.
According to faith died all these, not having received the promises, but having seen them from afar, and been persuaded, and having embraced, and assented that they are strangers and newly arrived from a foreign country upon earth.
And to the messenger of the church in Sardis write: Thus says he having the seven spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art 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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And I say to you, That many shall come from the sunrising and the descents, and shall recline with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of the heavens.
And Jesus, having gone forth from thence, withdrew into the parts of Tyre and Sidon. And, behold, a woman, a Canaanite, having come forth from those boundaries, cried out to him, saying, Pity me, Lord, son of David; my daughter is badly possessed with an evil spirit. read more. And he answered her not a word. And his disciples, having come, asked him, saying, Loose her; for she cries out after us. And he, having answered, said, I was not sent except to the sheep having been lost, of the house of Israel. And she, having come, worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. And he, having answered, said, It is not good to take the children's bread, and cast it to the little dogs. And she said, Yes, Lord; for the little dogs also eat from the crumbs falling from the table of their lord. Then Jesus, having answered, said to her, O woman, great thy faith: let it be to thee as thou wilt. And her daughter was healed from that hour.
And Jesus having been in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leprous, There came to him a woman having an alabaster box of costly perfumed ointment, and she poured upon the head of him, reclining at table. read more. And his disciples seeing, felt pain, saying, For what this loss? For this perfumed oil could have been sold for much, and have been given to the poor. And Jesus having known, said to them, Why offer ye toils to the woman? for a good work has she worked upon me. For always the poor ye have with you, but me ye have not always. For she, casting this perfumed oil upon my body, did to prepare me for interment, Truly I say to you, Wheresoever this good news be proclaimed in the whole world, shall it also be spoken what she did, for a remembrance of her.
And arising from thence, he departed into the bounds of Tyre and Sidon, and having come into the house, he would have none know; and he could not be hid. For a woman having heard of him, whose daughter had an unclean spirit, having come, fell at his feet: read more. And the woman was a Grecian, a Syrophenician by birth; and she entreated him that he would cast the demon out of her daughter. And Jesus said to her, Permit the children first to be satisfied; for it is not good to take the children's bread, and cast to little dogs. And she answered and says to him, Yes, Lord: for also the little dogs under the table eat from the children's crumbs. And he said to her, For this word retire; the demon has gone out of thy daughter. And having departed to her house, she found the demon gone forth, and the daughter cast upon the bed.
And he being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leprous, he reclining at table, a woman came having an alabaster box of perfumed oil of persuasive, costly, spikenard;. and having broken the alabaster box, she poured upon his head. And there were some displeased in themselves, and saying, For what has been the loss of this perfumed oil? read more. For this could have been sold for above three hundred drachmas, and have been given to the poor. And they raged against her. And Jesus said, Let her go; why bestow ye weariness upon her? she has wrought a good work upon me. For always have ye the poor with you, and when ye wish ye can do them good: and me ye have not always. And what she had, she has done: she has undertaken beforehand to perfume my body for the burial. Truly I say to you, Wherever this good news be proclaimed in the whole world, also what she has done shall be spoken for a memorial of her.
And I say to you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of injustice; that, when ye fail, they might receive you into lasting tents.
A certain man was rich, and was clothed in purple and fine linen, being daily splendidly gladdened: And there was a certain beggar, Lazarus by name, who was cast at his gate, having been wounded, read more. And eagerly desirous to be fed from crumbs falling from the rich one's table: but also the dogs, coming, licked off his wounds. And it was, the beggar died, and was carried by messengers into Abraham's bosom: and the rich one died also, and was buried; And in hades, having lifted up his eyes, being in torments, he sees Abraham from far off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he having called out, said, Father Abraham, pity me, and send Lazarus, that he might dip his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Child, remember that thou didst receive thy good things in thy life, and Lazarus likewise evil things: and now here is he comforted, and thou art tormented. And besides all these, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed: so that they wishing to pass through thence to you could not; neither could they cross over from thence to us. And he said, Then I ask thee, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he might testify to them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham says to him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if some one from the dead go to them, they will change the mind. And he said to him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither if any rise from the dead, will they be persueded.
These things were in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was immersing.
Then came Jesus again to Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain royal one, whose son was sick in Capernanm. He, having heard that Jesus was come from Judea to Galilee, went away to him, and asked him that he would go down and heal his son: for he was about to die. read more. Then said Jesus to him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye would not believe. The royal one says to Him, Lord, go down before my child dies. Jesus says to him, Go; thy son lives. And the man believed the word which Jesus said to him, and he went. And he already going down, his servants met him, and announced, saying, That thy child lives. Then he inquired of them the hour in which he was attended to. And they said to him, That yesterday the seventh hour the fever left him. Then the father knew that in that hour in which Jesus said to him, That thy son lives: and he believed, and his whole house. This second sign Jesus did, having come out of Judea into Galilee.
Then again lifted up the Jews stones that they might stone him.
Then sought they again to take him: and he went out from their hand, And again he departed beyond Jordan to the place where John was first immersing; and he remained there.
And a certain Lazarus was sick, from Bethany, of the town of Mary And Martha her sister. (And Mary was she having anointed the Lord with perfumed oil, and wiped his feet with her hairs, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) read more. Then sent the sisters to him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
Then sent the sisters to him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. And Jesus having heard, said, This sickness is not to death, but for the glory of God, that by it the Son of God be honoured. read more. And Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When therefore he heard that he is sick, then indeed he remained in the place in which he was two days. Then after this he says to his disciples, Let us go into Judea again. The disciples say to him, Rabbi, now the Jews sought to stone thee; and retirest thou there again? Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours of the day.? If any walk in the day, he stumbles not, for he sees the light of this world. But if any walk in the night, he stumbles, for light is not in him. These things said he: and after this he says to them, Lazarus our friend has been set to sleep; but I go, that I might waken him.
These things said he: and after this he says to them, Lazarus our friend has been set to sleep; but I go, that I might waken him. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he has been set to sleep, he shall be saved. read more. And Jesus spake of his death: but these supposed that he speaks of the repose of sleep. Then therefore Jesus said to them with freedom of speech, Lazarus is dead. And I rejoice for you, that ye might believe, that I was not there; but let us go to him. Then said Thomas, called Didymus, to his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we might die with him. Then Jesus, having come, found him having four days already in the tomb. And Bethany was near Jerusalem, about fifteen stadia. And many of the Jews were come to them about Martha and Many, that they might console them for their brother.
And many of the Jews were come to them about Martha and Many, that they might console them for their brother. Then Martha, when she heard that Jesus comes, met him: and Mary sat in the house. read more. Then said Martha to Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But now I also know, that whatever thou shalt ask of God, God will give thee. Jesus says to her, Thy brother shall arise. Martha says to him, I know that he shall rise at the rising up in the last day. Jesus said to her, I am the rising up, and life: he believing in me, though he die, shall live. And all living and believing in me should never die. Believest thou this? She says to him, Yes, Lord: I have believed that thou art Christ, the Son of God, he coming into the world. And having said these, she departed and called Mary her sister secretly, having said, The Teacher is come, and calls thee. She, when she heard, arises quickly, and comes to him. And Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met him. Then the Jews being in the house with her, and consoling her, having seen Mary, that she rose quickly and went forth, followed her, saying, That she retires to the tomb, that she might weep there. Then Mary, when she came where Jesus was, seeing him, fell at his feet, saying to him, Lord, if thou wert here, my brother had not died. Then Jesus, when he saw her weeping, and the Jews weeping having come with her, was heavy in spirit, and troubled himself, And said, Where have ye laid him? They say to him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, See how he loved him I
Then said the Jews, See how he loved him I And certain of them said, Could not he having opened the eyes of the blind, have made that this should not die? read more. Then Jesus again being heavy in himself, comes to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was laid upon it. Jesus says, Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of the dead, says to him, Lord, he already smells: for it is the fourth day.
Jesus says, Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of the dead, says to him, Lord, he already smells: for it is the fourth day. Jesus says to her, Said I not to thee, if thou shouldest believe, thou shalt see the glory of God read more. Then took they away the stone where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes above, and said, Father, I return thee thanks that thou didst hear me. And I knew that thou always hearest me: but for the crowd standing round I said, that they might believe that thou didst send me. And having said these, he cried out with a great voice, Lazarus, come out. And the dead came out, bound feet and hands with bandages; and his face was bound with a napkin. Jesus says to them, Loose him, and let him retire.
Then gathered together the chief priests and Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man does many signs. If we let him thus go, all will believe on him: and the Romans will come and take away also our place and nation. read more. And a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being chief priest that year, said to them, Ye know nothing, Neither turn ye in your thoughts that it is profitable to us, that one man die for the people, and the nation perish not. And this he said not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was about to die for the nation; And not for the nation alone, but that also the children of God, scattered, should be gathered into one. Then from that day they counselled together that they might kill him.
Then Jesus, six days before the pascha, came to Bethany, where was Lazarus the dead, whom he raised from the dead. Then made they him a supper there, and Martha served; and Lazarus was one of them reclining at table with him. read more. Then Mary having taken a pound of perfumed oil of spikenard, very precious, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hairs: and the house was filled with the smell of the perfumed oil.
Then Mary having taken a pound of perfumed oil of spikenard, very precious, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hairs: and the house was filled with the smell of the perfumed oil. Then says one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, of Simon, being about to deliver him up, read more. Wherefore was not this perfumed oil sold for three hundred drachmas, and given to the poor? And this he said, not that care was to him for the poor: but because he was a thief, and had the small coffer, and carried things deposited. Then said Jesus, Let her go; for the day of my interment has she kept this. For the poor have ye always with you;and me ye have not always. Then a great crowd of Jews knew that he is there: and they came not for Jesus alone, but that also they might see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. And the chief priests took counsel that they might also kill Lazarus;
And the chief priests took counsel that they might also kill Lazarus; Because many for him retired, and believed in Jesus.
Because many for him retired, and believed in Jesus.
The crowd therefore testified which being with him, that he called Lazarus out of the tomb, and raised him from the dead. And for this the crowd met him, for they heard he had done this sign.
And there was one of his disciples reclining on the bosom of Jesus, whom he loved.
And there was one of his disciples reclining on the bosom of Jesus, whom he loved.
And the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, mingled pure in the cup of his anger; and he shall be tortured in fire and sulphur before the holy angels, and before 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
A certain man was rich, and was clothed in purple and fine linen, being daily splendidly gladdened: And there was a certain beggar, Lazarus by name, who was cast at his gate, having been wounded, read more. And eagerly desirous to be fed from crumbs falling from the rich one's table: but also the dogs, coming, licked off his wounds. And it was, the beggar died, and was carried by messengers into Abraham's bosom: and the rich one died also, and was buried; And in hades, having lifted up his eyes, being in torments, he sees Abraham from far off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he having called out, said, Father Abraham, pity me, and send Lazarus, that he might dip his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Child, remember that thou didst receive thy good things in thy life, and Lazarus likewise evil things: and now here is he comforted, and thou art tormented. And besides all these, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed: so that they wishing to pass through thence to you could not; neither could they cross over from thence to us. And he said, Then I ask thee, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he might testify to them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham says to him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if some one from the dead go to them, they will change the mind. And he said to him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither if any rise from the dead, will they be persueded.
And a certain Lazarus was sick, from Bethany, of the town of Mary And Martha her sister. (And Mary was she having anointed the Lord with perfumed oil, and wiped his feet with her hairs, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) read more. Then sent the sisters to him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. And Jesus having heard, said, This sickness is not to death, but for the glory of God, that by it the Son of God be honoured. And Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When therefore he heard that he is sick, then indeed he remained in the place in which he was two days. Then after this he says to his disciples, Let us go into Judea again. The disciples say to him, Rabbi, now the Jews sought to stone thee; and retirest thou there again? Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours of the day.? If any walk in the day, he stumbles not, for he sees the light of this world. But if any walk in the night, he stumbles, for light is not in him. These things said he: and after this he says to them, Lazarus our friend has been set to sleep; but I go, that I might waken him. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he has been set to sleep, he shall be saved. And Jesus spake of his death: but these supposed that he speaks of the repose of sleep. Then therefore Jesus said to them with freedom of speech, Lazarus is dead. And I rejoice for you, that ye might believe, that I was not there; but let us go to him. Then said Thomas, called Didymus, to his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we might die with him. Then Jesus, having come, found him having four days already in the tomb. And Bethany was near Jerusalem, about fifteen stadia. And many of the Jews were come to them about Martha and Many, that they might console them for their brother. Then Martha, when she heard that Jesus comes, met him: and Mary sat in the house. Then said Martha to Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But now I also know, that whatever thou shalt ask of God, God will give thee. Jesus says to her, Thy brother shall arise. Martha says to him, I know that he shall rise at the rising up in the last day. Jesus said to her, I am the rising up, and life: he believing in me, though he die, shall live. And all living and believing in me should never die. Believest thou this? She says to him, Yes, Lord: I have believed that thou art Christ, the Son of God, he coming into the world. And having said these, she departed and called Mary her sister secretly, having said, The Teacher is come, and calls thee. She, when she heard, arises quickly, and comes to him. And Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met him. Then the Jews being in the house with her, and consoling her, having seen Mary, that she rose quickly and went forth, followed her, saying, That she retires to the tomb, that she might weep there. Then Mary, when she came where Jesus was, seeing him, fell at his feet, saying to him, Lord, if thou wert here, my brother had not died. Then Jesus, when he saw her weeping, and the Jews weeping having come with her, was heavy in spirit, and troubled himself, And said, Where have ye laid him? They say to him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, See how he loved him I And certain of them said, Could not he having opened the eyes of the blind, have made that this should not die? Then Jesus again being heavy in himself, comes to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was laid upon it. Jesus says, Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of the dead, says to him, Lord, he already smells: for it is the fourth day. Jesus says to her, Said I not to thee, if thou shouldest believe, thou shalt see the glory of God Then took they away the stone where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes above, and said, Father, I return thee thanks that thou didst hear me. And I knew that thou always hearest me: but for the crowd standing round I said, that they might believe that thou didst send me. And having said these, he cried out with a great voice, Lazarus, come out.
Then Jesus, six days before the pascha, came to Bethany, where was Lazarus the dead, whom he raised from the dead. Then made they him a supper there, and Martha served; and Lazarus was one of them reclining at table with him. read more. Then Mary having taken a pound of perfumed oil of spikenard, very precious, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hairs: and the house was filled with the smell of the perfumed oil. Then says one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, of Simon, being about to deliver him up, Wherefore was not this perfumed oil sold for three hundred drachmas, and given to the poor? And this he said, not that care was to him for the poor: but because he was a thief, and had the small coffer, and carried things deposited. Then said Jesus, Let her go; for the day of my interment has she kept this. For the poor have ye always with you;and me ye have not always. Then a great crowd of Jews knew that he is there: and they came not for Jesus alone, but that also they might see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. And the chief priests took counsel that they might also kill Lazarus; Because many for him retired, and believed in Jesus. The morrow a great crowd, having come to the festival, having heard that Jesus comes to Jerusalem, Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to the meeting to him, and cried, Praised he coming in the name of the Lord, King of Israel. And Jesus having found a small ass, sat upon it; as it is written, Fear not, O daughter of Sion: behold, thy King comes, sitting upon the foal of an ass. And these the disciples knew not at first: but when Jesus was honoured, then remembered they that these were written of him, and they did these things to him. The crowd therefore testified which being with him, that he 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
And a certain Lazarus was sick, from Bethany, of the town of Mary And Martha her sister.
And a certain Lazarus was sick, from Bethany, of the town of Mary And Martha her sister.
And 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.
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And Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.