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, which was clothed in purple, and fine bysse, and fared deliciously every day. And there was a certain beggar, named Lazarus, which lay at his gate full of sores, read more. desiring to be refreshed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's board. Nevertheless, the dogs came, and licked his sores. And it fortuned that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: The rich man also died, and was buried in hell. And being in hell, in torments, he lift up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom; And he cried 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 unto him, 'Son remember, that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy pleasure, and contrariwise, Lazarus pain. Now therefore is he comforted, and thou art punished. Beyond all this, between you and us there is a great space set, so that they which would go from hence to you, cannot: neither may come from thence to us.' Then he said, 'I pray thee therefore father, send him to my father's house. For I have five brethren: for to warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' Abraham said unto him, 'They have Moses and the prophets: let them hear them.' And he said, 'Nay, father Abraham, but if one came unto them from the dead they would repent.' He said unto him, 'If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they believe, though one rose from death again.'"
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, which was clothed in purple, and fine bysse, and fared deliciously every day. And there was a certain beggar, named Lazarus, which lay at his gate full of sores, read more. desiring to be refreshed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's board. Nevertheless, the dogs came, and licked his sores. And it fortuned that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: The rich man also died, and was buried in hell. And being in hell, in torments, he lift up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom; And he cried 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 unto him, 'Son remember, that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy pleasure, and contrariwise, Lazarus pain. Now therefore is he comforted, and thou art punished. Beyond all this, between you and us there is a great space set, so that they which would go from hence to you, cannot: neither may come from thence to us.' Then he said, 'I pray thee therefore father, send him to my father's house. For I have five brethren: for to warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' Abraham said unto him, 'They have Moses and the prophets: let them hear them.' And he said, 'Nay, father Abraham, but if one came unto them from the dead they would repent.' He said unto him, 'If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they believe, though one rose from death again.'"
Acertain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. It was that Mary which anointed Jesus with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick, read more. and his sisters sent unto him, saying, "Lord behold, he whom thou lovest is sick." When Jesus that heard he said, "This infirmity is not unto death: But for the laud of God, that the son of God might be praised by the reason of it." Jesus loved Martha and her sister, and Lazarus. After he heard that he was sick, then abode he two days still in the same place where he was. Then after that said he to his disciples, "Let us go into Jewry again." His disciples said unto him, "Master, the Jews lately sought means to stone thee, and wilt thou go thither again?" Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If a man walk in the day he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night he stumbleth, because there is no light in him." This said he. And after that he said unto them, "Our friend Lazarus sleepeth, but I go to wake him out of sleep." Then said his disciples, "Lord, if he sleep, then shall he do well enough." Howbeit, Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of the natural sleep. Then said Jesus unto them, plainly, "Lazarus is dead, and I am glad for your sakes, that I was not there, because ye may believe. Nevertheless let us go unto him." Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto the disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." Then went Jesus, and found that he had lain in his grave four days already. Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off; And many of the Jews were come to Martha and Mary, to comfort them over their brother. Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him. But Mary sat still in the house. Then said Martha unto Jesus, "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not been dead: but nevertheless, I know that whatsoever thou askest of God, God will give it thee." Jesus said unto her, "Thy brother shall rise again." Martha said unto him, I know well, that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth on me; Yea though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth, and believeth on me, shall never die. Believest thou this?" She said unto him, "Yea Lord: I believe that thou art Christ, the son of God, which should come into the world." And as soon as she had so said she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, "The master is come and calleth for thee." And she, as soon as she heard that, arose quickly, and came unto him. Jesus was not yet come into the town: but was in the place where Martha met him. The Jews then, which were with her in the house and comforted her, when they saw Mary that she rose up hastily, and went out: followed her, saying, "She goeth unto the grave, to weep there." Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, "Lord if thou hadst been here, my brother had not been dead." When Jesus saw her weep, and the Jews also weep, which came with her; He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled in himself, and said, "Where have ye laid him?" They said unto him, "Lord, come and see." And Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, "Behold how he loved him." And some of them said, "Could not he which opened the eyes of the blind, have made also, that this man should not have died?" Jesus again groaned in himself and came to the grave: it was a cave, and a stone laid on it. And Jesus said, "Take ye away the stone." Martha, the sister of him that was dead, said unto him, "Lord by this time he stinketh. For he hath been dead four days." Jesus said unto her, "Said I not unto thee, that if thou didst believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?" Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lift up his eyes and said, "father I thank thee, because that thou hast heard me; I know that thou hearest me always: but because of the people that stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me." And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus come forth." And he that was dead, came forth bound hand and foot, with grave bonds after the manner as they were wont to bind their dead withal. And his face was bound with a napkin. Jesus said unto 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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'What hast thou here to do? And whom hast thou here? That thou shouldest here hew thee out a sepulchre, as it were one that causeth a costly tomb of stone to be made for himself, or that graveth a habitation out of a rock?
Which fetched Uriah out of Egypt, and brought him unto king Jehoiakim that slew him with the sword, and cast his dead body into the common people's grave.
"See that ye gather not treasure together upon the earth, where rust and moths corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But gather ye treasures together in heaven, where neither rust, nor yet moths corrupt: and where thieves neither break up, nor yet steal. read more. For wheresoever your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
I say therefore unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall rest with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven; And the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into the utter darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
She answered and said, "It is truth, nevertheless the whelps eat of the crumbs, which fall from their masters' table."
When he was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, even as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment, called nard, that was pure and costly, and she brake the box and poured it on his head.
And there was a certain young man that followed him clothed in linen upon the bare, and the young men caught him, and he left his linen and fled from them naked.
And he bought a linen cloth, and took him down and wrapped him in the linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb, that was hewn out of the rock. And rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.
Bring forth due fruits of repentance; And begin not to say in yourselves, we have Abraham to our father. For I say unto you: God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. And behold a woman in that city, which was a sinner, as soon as she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster box of ointment, read more. and she stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with ointment. When the Pharisee which bade him to his house, saw that, he spake within himself, saying, "If this man were a prophet, he would surely have known who and what manner woman this is which toucheth him, for she is a sinner." And Jesus answered, and said unto him, "Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee." And he said, "Master say on."
It fortuned as they went, that he entered into a certain town. And a certain woman named Martha, received him into her house.
And Martha was cumbered about much serving, and stood and said, "Master, dost thou not care, that my sister hath left me to minister alone? Bid her therefore, that she help me." And Jesus answered, and said unto her, "Martha, Martha, thou carest, and are troubled, about many things: read more. verily one is needful. Mary hath chosen her that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."
and he said unto them, "Ye are they, which justify yourselves before men: but God knoweth your hearts. For that which is highly esteemed among men is abominable in the sight of God.
"There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple, and fine bysse, and fared deliciously every day. And there was a certain beggar, named Lazarus, which lay at his gate full of sores, read more. desiring to be refreshed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's board. Nevertheless, the dogs came, and licked his sores. And it fortuned that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: The rich man also died, and was buried in hell. And being in hell, in torments, he lift up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom; And he cried 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 unto him, 'Son remember, that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy pleasure, and contrariwise, Lazarus pain. Now therefore is he comforted, and thou art punished. Beyond all this, between you and us there is a great space set, so that they which would go from hence to you, cannot: neither may come from thence to us.' Then he said, 'I pray thee therefore father, send him to my father's house.
Then he said, 'I pray thee therefore father, send him to my father's house.
Then he said, 'I pray thee therefore father, send him to my father's house. For I have five brethren: for to warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.'
For I have five brethren: for to warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.'
For I have five brethren: for to warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' Abraham said unto him, 'They have Moses and the prophets: let them hear them.'
Abraham said unto him, 'They have Moses and the prophets: let them hear them.' And he said, 'Nay, father Abraham, but if one came unto them from the dead they would repent.'
And he said, 'Nay, father Abraham, but if one came unto them from the dead they would repent.'
And he said, 'Nay, father Abraham, but if one came unto them from the dead they would repent.'
And he said, 'Nay, father Abraham, but if one came unto them from the dead they would repent.' He said unto him, 'If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they believe, though one rose from death again.'"
He said unto him, 'If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they believe, though one rose from death again.'"
And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept on it,
Verily, verily I say unto you, He that heareth my words, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life: and shall not come into damnation, but is escaped from death unto life. Verily, verily I say unto you, the time shall come, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the son of God. And they that hear, shall live.
Again they went about to take him, but he escaped out of their hands, and went away again beyond Jordan, into the place where John before had baptised, and there abode.
Acertain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
Jesus loved Martha and her sister, and Lazarus.
Jesus loved Martha and her sister, and Lazarus.
His disciples said unto him, "Master, the Jews lately sought means to stone thee, and wilt thou go thither again?" Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If a man walk in the day he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. read more. But if a man walk in the night he stumbleth, because there is no light in him." This said he. And after that he said unto them, "Our friend Lazarus sleepeth, but I go to wake him out of sleep."
And many of the Jews were come to Martha and Mary, to comfort them over their brother.
but nevertheless, I know that whatsoever thou askest of God, God will give it thee."
Martha said unto him, I know well, that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
And as soon as she had so said she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, "The master is come and calleth for thee."
And he that was dead, came forth bound hand and foot, with grave bonds after the manner as they were wont to bind their dead withal. And his face was bound with a napkin. Jesus said unto them, "Loose him, and let him go." Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. read more. But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what Jesus had done.
But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what Jesus had done. Then gathered the high priests and the Pharisees a council and said, "What do we? This man doeth many miracles. read more. If we let him escape thus, all men will believe on him. And the Romans shall come and take away our country and the people." And one of them named Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year, said unto them, "Ye perceive nothing at all: nor yet consider that it is expedient for us, that one man die for the people, and not that all the people perish." This spake he not of himself: but being high priest that same year, prophesied he that Jesus should die for the people, and not for the people only: but that he should gather together in one the children of God which were scattered abroad. From that day forth they held a counsel together for to put him to death.
There they made him a supper, and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
There they made him a supper, and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
The high priests therefore held a council that they might put Lazarus to death also,
The high priests therefore held a council that they might put Lazarus to death also,
The high priests therefore held a council that they might put Lazarus to death also, because that for his sake many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus. read more. On the morrow much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus should come to Jerusalem,
The people that was with him, when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from death, bare record. Therefore met him the people, because they heard that he had done such a miracle.
His disciples said unto him, "Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and thou usest no proverb.
Then came Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and saw the linen clothes lie, and the napkin that was about his head not lying with the linen cloth, but wrapped together in a place by itself.
and he gave him none inheritance in it - no, not the breadth of a foot - But promised that he would give it to him to possess and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child.
Why should it be thought a thing incredible unto you, that God should raise again the dead?
For we have not a high priest, which cannot have compassion on our infirmities: but was in all points tempted, as we are: but yet without sin.
And they all died in faith, and received not the promises: but saw them afar off, and believed them, and saluted them: and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
And write unto the messenger of the congregation of Sardis, 'This saith he that hath the spirit of God, and the seven stars. I know thy works, thou hast a name that you livest, and thou 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 say therefore unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall rest with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven;
And Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman which was a Canaanite came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, "Have mercy on me Lord, thou son of David, my daughter is piteously vexed with a devil." read more. And he gave her never a word to answer. Then came to him his disciples, and besought him saying, "Send her away, for she followeth us crying." He answered, and said, "I am not sent, but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Then she came and worshipped him, saying, "Master, help me." He answered and said, "It is not good to take the children's bread, and to cast it to whelps." She answered and said, "It is truth, nevertheless the whelps eat of the crumbs, which fall from their masters' table." Then Jesus answered, and said unto her, "O woman great is thy faith, be it to thee, even as thou desirest." And her daughter was made whole even at that same hour.
When Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, there came unto him a woman, which had an alabaster box of precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at the board. read more. When his disciples saw that, they had indignation saying, "What needed this waste? This ointment might have been well sold, and given to the poor." When Jesus understood that, he said unto them, "Why trouble ye the woman? She hath wrought a good work upon me. For ye shall have poor folk always with you: but me shall ye not have always. And in that she casted this ointment on my body, she did it to bury me, withal. Verily I say unto you, wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout all the world, there shall also this that she hath done, be told for a memorial of her."
And from thence he rose and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into a house, and would that no man should have known of him: But he could not be hid. For a certain woman, whose daughter had a foul spirit, heard of him, and came and fell down at his feet. read more. The woman was a Greek out of Syrophoenicia, and she besought him that he would cast out the devil out of her daughter. And Jesus said unto her, "Let the children first be fed. For it is not meet, to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto whelps." She answered and said unto him, "Even so, Master. Nevertheless, the whelps also eat under the table of the children's crumbs." And he said unto her, "For this saying, go thy way, the devil is gone out of thy daughter." And when she was come home to her house she found the devil departed, and her daughter lying on the bed.
When he was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, even as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment, called nard, that was pure and costly, and she brake the box and poured it on his head. And there were some that were not content in themselves, and said, "What needed this waste of ointment? read more. For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and been given unto the poor." And they grudged against her. And Jesus said, "Let her be in rest. Why trouble ye her? She hath done a good work on me. For ye shall have poor with you always: and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye shall not have always. She hath done that she could: she came aforehand to anoint my body to his buryingward. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be rehearsed in remembrance of her."
And I say also unto you, Make you friends of the wicked mammon, that when ye shall have need they may receive you into everlasting habitations.
"There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple, and fine bysse, and fared deliciously every day. And there was a certain beggar, named Lazarus, which lay at his gate full of sores, read more. desiring to be refreshed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's board. Nevertheless, the dogs came, and licked his sores. And it fortuned that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: The rich man also died, and was buried in hell. And being in hell, in torments, he lift up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom; And he cried 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 unto him, 'Son remember, that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy pleasure, and contrariwise, Lazarus pain. Now therefore is he comforted, and thou art punished. Beyond all this, between you and us there is a great space set, so that they which would go from hence to you, cannot: neither may come from thence to us.' Then he said, 'I pray thee therefore father, send him to my father's house. For I have five brethren: for to warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' Abraham said unto him, 'They have Moses and the prophets: let them hear them.' And he said, 'Nay, father Abraham, but if one came unto them from the dead they would repent.' He said unto him, 'If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they believe, though one rose from death again.'"
And Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he turned water into wine. And there was a certain ruler, whose son was sick at Capernaum. As soon as the same heard that Jesus was come out of Jewry, into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him, that he would descend, and heal his son: For he was even ready to die. read more. Then said Jesus unto him, "Except ye see signs and wonders, ye cannot believe." The ruler said unto him, "Sir, come away or ever that my child die." Jesus said unto him, "Go thy way, thy son liveth." And the man believed the words that Jesus had spoken unto him, and went his way. And anon as he went on his way, his servants met him, and told him, saying, "Thy child liveth." Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, "Yesterday, the seventh hour, the fever left him." And the father knew that it was the same hour in which Jesus said unto him, "Thy son liveth." And he believed, and all his household. This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, after he was come out of Jewry into Galilee.
Again they went about to take him, but he escaped out of their hands, and went away again beyond Jordan, into the place where John before had baptised, and there abode.
Acertain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. It was that Mary which anointed Jesus with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick, read more. and his sisters sent unto him, saying, "Lord behold, he whom thou lovest is sick."
and his sisters sent unto him, saying, "Lord behold, he whom thou lovest is sick." When Jesus that heard he said, "This infirmity is not unto death: But for the laud of God, that the son of God might be praised by the reason of it." read more. Jesus loved Martha and her sister, and Lazarus. After he heard that he was sick, then abode he two days still in the same place where he was. Then after that said he to his disciples, "Let us go into Jewry again." His disciples said unto him, "Master, the Jews lately sought means to stone thee, and wilt thou go thither again?" Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If a man walk in the day he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night he stumbleth, because there is no light in him." This said he. And after that he said unto them, "Our friend Lazarus sleepeth, but I go to wake him out of sleep."
This said he. And after that he said unto them, "Our friend Lazarus sleepeth, but I go to wake him out of sleep." Then said his disciples, "Lord, if he sleep, then shall he do well enough." read more. Howbeit, Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of the natural sleep. Then said Jesus unto them, plainly, "Lazarus is dead, and I am glad for your sakes, that I was not there, because ye may believe. Nevertheless let us go unto him." Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto the disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." Then went Jesus, and found that he had lain in his grave four days already. Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off; And many of the Jews were come to Martha and Mary, to comfort them over their brother.
And many of the Jews were come to Martha and Mary, to comfort them over their brother. Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him. But Mary sat still in the house. read more. Then said Martha unto Jesus, "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not been dead: but nevertheless, I know that whatsoever thou askest of God, God will give it thee." Jesus said unto her, "Thy brother shall rise again." Martha said unto him, I know well, that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth on me; Yea though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth, and believeth on me, shall never die. Believest thou this?" She said unto him, "Yea Lord: I believe that thou art Christ, the son of God, which should come into the world." And as soon as she had so said she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, "The master is come and calleth for thee." And she, as soon as she heard that, arose quickly, and came unto him. Jesus was not yet come into the town: but was in the place where Martha met him. The Jews then, which were with her in the house and comforted her, when they saw Mary that she rose up hastily, and went out: followed her, saying, "She goeth unto the grave, to weep there." Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, "Lord if thou hadst been here, my brother had not been dead." When Jesus saw her weep, and the Jews also weep, which came with her; He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled in himself, and said, "Where have ye laid him?" They said unto him, "Lord, come and see." And Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, "Behold how he loved him."
Then said the Jews, "Behold how he loved him." And some of them said, "Could not he which opened the eyes of the blind, have made also, that this man should not have died?" read more. Jesus again groaned in himself and came to the grave: it was a cave, and a stone laid on it. And Jesus said, "Take ye away the stone." Martha, the sister of him that was dead, said unto him, "Lord by this time he stinketh. For he hath been dead four days."
And Jesus said, "Take ye away the stone." Martha, the sister of him that was dead, said unto him, "Lord by this time he stinketh. For he hath been dead four days." Jesus said unto her, "Said I not unto thee, that if thou didst believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?" read more. Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lift up his eyes and said, "father I thank thee, because that thou hast heard me; I know that thou hearest me always: but because of the people that stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me." And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus come forth." And he that was dead, came forth bound hand and foot, with grave bonds after the manner as they were wont to bind their dead withal. And his face was bound with a napkin. Jesus said unto them, "Loose him, and let him go."
Then gathered the high priests and the Pharisees a council and said, "What do we? This man doeth many miracles. If we let him escape thus, all men will believe on him. And the Romans shall come and take away our country and the people." read more. And one of them named Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year, said unto them, "Ye perceive nothing at all: nor yet consider that it is expedient for us, that one man die for the people, and not that all the people perish." This spake he not of himself: but being high priest that same year, prophesied he that Jesus should die for the people, and not for the people only: but that he should gather together in one the children of God which were scattered abroad. From that day forth they held a counsel together for to put him to death.
Then Jesus, six days before Easter, came to Bethany: where Lazarus which was dead was, whom Jesus raised from death. There they made him a supper, and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. read more. Then took Mary a pound of ointment called nard, perfect and precious, and anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped his feet with her hair, and all the house was filled of the savour of the ointment.
Then took Mary a pound of ointment called nard, perfect and precious, and anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped his feet with her hair, and all the house was filled of the savour of the ointment. Then said one of his disciples named Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which afterward betrayed him, read more. "Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?" This said he, not that he cared for the poor: but because he was a thief, and kept the bag, and bare that which was given. Then said Jesus, "Let her alone, against the day of my burying she kept it. The poor always shall ye have with you, but me shall ye not always have." Much people of the Jews had knowledge that he was there. And they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also whom he raised from death. The high priests therefore held a council that they might put Lazarus to death also,
The high priests therefore held a council that they might put Lazarus to death also, because that for his sake many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
The people that was with him, when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from death, bare record. Therefore met him the people, because they heard that he had done such a miracle.
There was one of his disciples which leaned on Jesus' bosom, whom Jesus loved.
There was one of his disciples which leaned on Jesus' bosom, whom Jesus loved.
the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured in the cup of his wrath. And he shall be punished in fire and brimstone, 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
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"There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple, and fine bysse, and fared deliciously every day. And there was a certain beggar, named Lazarus, which lay at his gate full of sores, read more. desiring to be refreshed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's board. Nevertheless, the dogs came, and licked his sores. And it fortuned that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: The rich man also died, and was buried in hell. And being in hell, in torments, he lift up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom; And he cried 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 unto him, 'Son remember, that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy pleasure, and contrariwise, Lazarus pain. Now therefore is he comforted, and thou art punished. Beyond all this, between you and us there is a great space set, so that they which would go from hence to you, cannot: neither may come from thence to us.' Then he said, 'I pray thee therefore father, send him to my father's house. For I have five brethren: for to warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' Abraham said unto him, 'They have Moses and the prophets: let them hear them.' And he said, 'Nay, father Abraham, but if one came unto them from the dead they would repent.' He said unto him, 'If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they believe, though one rose from death again.'"
Acertain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. It was that Mary which anointed Jesus with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick, read more. and his sisters sent unto him, saying, "Lord behold, he whom thou lovest is sick." When Jesus that heard he said, "This infirmity is not unto death: But for the laud of God, that the son of God might be praised by the reason of it." Jesus loved Martha and her sister, and Lazarus. After he heard that he was sick, then abode he two days still in the same place where he was. Then after that said he to his disciples, "Let us go into Jewry again." His disciples said unto him, "Master, the Jews lately sought means to stone thee, and wilt thou go thither again?" Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If a man walk in the day he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night he stumbleth, because there is no light in him." This said he. And after that he said unto them, "Our friend Lazarus sleepeth, but I go to wake him out of sleep." Then said his disciples, "Lord, if he sleep, then shall he do well enough." Howbeit, Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of the natural sleep. Then said Jesus unto them, plainly, "Lazarus is dead, and I am glad for your sakes, that I was not there, because ye may believe. Nevertheless let us go unto him." Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto the disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." Then went Jesus, and found that he had lain in his grave four days already. Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off; And many of the Jews were come to Martha and Mary, to comfort them over their brother. Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him. But Mary sat still in the house. Then said Martha unto Jesus, "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not been dead: but nevertheless, I know that whatsoever thou askest of God, God will give it thee." Jesus said unto her, "Thy brother shall rise again." Martha said unto him, I know well, that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth on me; Yea though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth, and believeth on me, shall never die. Believest thou this?" She said unto him, "Yea Lord: I believe that thou art Christ, the son of God, which should come into the world." And as soon as she had so said she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, "The master is come and calleth for thee." And she, as soon as she heard that, arose quickly, and came unto him. Jesus was not yet come into the town: but was in the place where Martha met him. The Jews then, which were with her in the house and comforted her, when they saw Mary that she rose up hastily, and went out: followed her, saying, "She goeth unto the grave, to weep there." Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, "Lord if thou hadst been here, my brother had not been dead." When Jesus saw her weep, and the Jews also weep, which came with her; He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled in himself, and said, "Where have ye laid him?" They said unto him, "Lord, come and see." And Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, "Behold how he loved him." And some of them said, "Could not he which opened the eyes of the blind, have made also, that this man should not have died?" Jesus again groaned in himself and came to the grave: it was a cave, and a stone laid on it. And Jesus said, "Take ye away the stone." Martha, the sister of him that was dead, said unto him, "Lord by this time he stinketh. For he hath been dead four days." Jesus said unto her, "Said I not unto thee, that if thou didst believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?" Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lift up his eyes and said, "father I thank thee, because that thou hast heard me; I know that thou hearest me always: but because of the people that stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me." And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus come forth."
Then Jesus, six days before Easter, came to Bethany: where Lazarus which was dead was, whom Jesus raised from death. There they made him a supper, and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. read more. Then took Mary a pound of ointment called nard, perfect and precious, and anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped his feet with her hair, and all the house was filled of the savour of the ointment. Then said one of his disciples named Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which afterward betrayed him, "Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?" This said he, not that he cared for the poor: but because he was a thief, and kept the bag, and bare that which was given. Then said Jesus, "Let her alone, against the day of my burying she kept it. The poor always shall ye have with you, but me shall ye not always have." Much people of the Jews had knowledge that he was there. And they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also whom he raised from death. The high priests therefore held a council that they might put Lazarus to death also, because that for his sake many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus. On the morrow much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus should come to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went and met him, and cried, "Hosanna, blessed is he that in the name of the Lord cometh, King of Israel." And Jesus got a young ass and sat thereon, according to that which was written, "Fear not, daughter of Zion: Behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt." These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that such things were written of him, and that such things they had done unto him. The people that was with him, when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from death, bare record.
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.
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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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Jesus loved Martha and her sister, and Lazarus.