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 once a rich man, who dressed in purple robes and fine linen, and feasted every day in great splendor. Near his gateway there had been laid a beggar named Lazarus, who was covered with sores, read more. And who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table. Even the very dogs came and licked his sores. After a time the beggar died, and was taken by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In the Place of Death he looked up in his torment, and saw Abraham at a distance and Lazarus at his side. So he called out 'Pity me, Father Abraham, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering agony in this flame.' 'Child,' answered Abraham, 'remember that you in your lifetime received what you thought desirable, just as Lazarus received what was not desirable; but now he has his consolation here, while you are suffering agony. And not only that, but between you and us there lies a great chasm, so that those who wish to pass from here to you cannot, nor can they cross from there to us.' 'Then, Father,' he said, 'I beg you to send Lazarus to my father's house-- For I have five brothers to warn them, so that they may not come to this place of torture also.' 'They have the writings of Moses and the Prophets,' replied Abraham; 'let them listen to them.' 'But, Father Abraham,' he urged, 'if some one from the dead were to go to them, they would repent.' 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets,' answered Abraham, 'they will not be persuaded, even if some one were to rise from the dead.'"
Easton
an abbreviation of Eleazar, whom God helps. (1.) The brother of Mary and Martha of Bethany. He was raised from the dead after he had lain four days in the tomb (Joh 11:1-44). This miracle so excited the wrath of the Jews that they sought to put both Jesus and Lazarus to death.
(2.) A beggar named in the parable recorded Lu 16:19-31.
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There was once a rich man, who dressed in purple robes and fine linen, and feasted every day in great splendor. Near his gateway there had been laid a beggar named Lazarus, who was covered with sores, read more. And who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table. Even the very dogs came and licked his sores. After a time the beggar died, and was taken by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In the Place of Death he looked up in his torment, and saw Abraham at a distance and Lazarus at his side. So he called out 'Pity me, Father Abraham, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering agony in this flame.' 'Child,' answered Abraham, 'remember that you in your lifetime received what you thought desirable, just as Lazarus received what was not desirable; but now he has his consolation here, while you are suffering agony. And not only that, but between you and us there lies a great chasm, so that those who wish to pass from here to you cannot, nor can they cross from there to us.' 'Then, Father,' he said, 'I beg you to send Lazarus to my father's house-- For I have five brothers to warn them, so that they may not come to this place of torture also.' 'They have the writings of Moses and the Prophets,' replied Abraham; 'let them listen to them.' 'But, Father Abraham,' he urged, 'if some one from the dead were to go to them, they would repent.' 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets,' answered Abraham, 'they will not be persuaded, even if some one were to rise from the dead.'"
Now a man named Lazarus, of Bethany, was lying ill; he belonged to the same village as Mary and her sister Martha. This Mary, whose brother Lazarus was ill, was the Mary who anointed the Master with perfume, and wiped his feet with her hair. read more. The sisters, therefore, sent this message to Jesus--'Master, your friend is ill'; And, when Jesus heard it, he said: "This illness is not to end in death, but is to redound to the honor of God, in order that the Son of God may be honored through it." Jesus loved Martha and her sister, and Lazarus. Yet, when he heard of the illness of Lazarus, he still stayed two days in the place where he was. Then, after that, he said to his disciples: "Let us go to Judea again." "Rabbi," they replied, "the Jews were but just now seeking to stone you; and are you going there again?" "Are not there twelve hours in the day?" answered Jesus. "If a man walks about in the day-time, he does not stumble, because he can see the light of the sun; But, if he walks about at night, he stumbles, because he has not the light." And, when he had said this, he added: "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going that I may wake him." "If he has fallen asleep, Master, he will get well," said the disciples. But Jesus meant that he was dead; they, however, supposed that he was speaking of natural sleep. Then he said to them plainly: "Lazarus is dead; And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may learn to believe in me. But let us go to him." At this, Thomas, who was called 'The Twin,' said to his fellow-disciples: "Let us go too, so that we may die with him." When Jesus reached the place, he found that Lazarus had been four days in the tomb already. Bethany being only about two miles from Jerusalem, A number of the Jews had come there to condole with Martha and Mary on their brother's death. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat quietly at home. "Master," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. Even now, I know that God will grant you whatever you ask him." "Your brother shall rise to life," said Jesus. "I know that he will," replied Martha, "in the resurrection at the Last Day." "I am the Resurrection and the Life," said Jesus. "He that believes in me shall live, though he die; And he who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" "Yes Master," she answered; "I have learned to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, 'who was to come' into the world." After saying this, Martha went and called her sister Mary, and whispered: "The Teacher is here, and is asking for you." As soon as Mary heard that, she got up quickly, and went to meet him. Jesus had not then come into the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. So the Jews, who were in the house with Mary, condoling with her, when they saw her get up quickly and go out, followed her, thinking that she was going to the tomb to weep there. When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she threw herself at his feet. "Master," she exclaimed, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died!" When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her weeping also, he groaned deeply, and was greatly distressed. "Where have you buried him?" he asked. "Come and see, Master," they answered. Jesus burst into tears. "How he must have loved him!" the Jews exclaimed; But some of them said: "Could not this man, who gave sight to the blind man, have also prevented Lazarus from dying?" Again groaning inwardly, Jesus came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against the mouth of it. "Move the stone away," said Jesus. "Master," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time the smell must be offensive, for this is the fourth day since his death." "Did not I tell you," replied Jesus, "that, if you would believe in me, you should see the glory of God?" So they moved the stone away; and Jesus, with uplifted eyes, said: "Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard my prayer; I know that thou always headrest me; but I say this for the sake of the people standing near, so that they may believe that thou has sent me as thy Messenger." Then, after saying this, Jesus called in a loud voice: "Lazarus! come out!" The dead man came out, wrapped hand and foot in a winding- sheet; his face, too, had been wrapped in a cloth. "Set him free," said Jesus, "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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Do not store up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures for yourselves in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal. read more. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Yes, and many will come in from East and West and take their places beside Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the Kingdom of Heaven; While the heirs to the Kingdom will be 'banished into the darkness' outside; there, there will be weeping and grinding of teeth."
"Yes, Master," she said, "for even dogs do feed on the scraps that fall from their owners' table."
When Jesus was still at Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, while he was at table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of choice spikenard perfume of great value. She broke the jar, and poured the perfume on his head.
One young man did indeed follow him, wrapped only in a linen sheet. They tried to arrest him; But he left the sheet in their hands, and fled naked.
Joseph, having bought a linen sheet, took Jesus down, and wound the sheet round him, and laid him in a tomb which had been cut out of the rock; and then rolled a stone up against the entrance of the tomb.
Let your lives, then, prove your repentance; and do not begin to say among yourselves 'Abraham is our ancestor,' for I tell you that out of these very stones God is able to raise descendants for Abraham!
One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to dine with him, so Jesus went to his house and took his place at table. Just then a woman, who was an outcast in the town, having ascertained that Jesus was at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster jar of perfume, read more. And placed herself behind Jesus, near his feet, weeping. Then she began to make his feet wet with her tears, and she dried them with the hair of her head, repeatedly kissing his feet and anointing them with the perfume. When the Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this, he said to himself: "Had this man been 'The Prophet,' he would have known who, and what sort of woman, this is who is touching him, and that she is an outcast." But, addressing him, Jesus said: "Simon, I have something to say to you." "Pray do so, Teacher," Simon answered; and Jesus began:
As they continued their journey, Jesus came to a village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him to her house.
But Martha was distracted by the many preparations that she was making. So she went up to Jesus and said: "Master, do you approve of my sister's leaving me to make preparations alone? Tell her to help me." "Martha, Martha," replied the Master, "you are anxious and trouble yourself about many things; read more. But only a few are necessary, or rather one. Mary has chosen the good part, and it shall not be taken away from her."
"You," said Jesus, "are the men who justify themselves before the world, but God can read your hearts; and what is highly esteemed among men may be an abomination in the sight of God.
There was once a rich man, who dressed in purple robes and fine linen, and feasted every day in great splendor. Near his gateway there had been laid a beggar named Lazarus, who was covered with sores, read more. And who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table. Even the very dogs came and licked his sores. After a time the beggar died, and was taken by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In the Place of Death he looked up in his torment, and saw Abraham at a distance and Lazarus at his side. So he called out 'Pity me, Father Abraham, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering agony in this flame.' 'Child,' answered Abraham, 'remember that you in your lifetime received what you thought desirable, just as Lazarus received what was not desirable; but now he has his consolation here, while you are suffering agony. And not only that, but between you and us there lies a great chasm, so that those who wish to pass from here to you cannot, nor can they cross from there to us.' 'Then, Father,' he said, 'I beg you to send Lazarus to my father's house--
'Then, Father,' he said, 'I beg you to send Lazarus to my father's house--
'Then, Father,' he said, 'I beg you to send Lazarus to my father's house-- For I have five brothers to warn them, so that they may not come to this place of torture also.'
For I have five brothers to warn them, so that they may not come to this place of torture also.'
For I have five brothers to warn them, so that they may not come to this place of torture also.' 'They have the writings of Moses and the Prophets,' replied Abraham; 'let them listen to them.'
'They have the writings of Moses and the Prophets,' replied Abraham; 'let them listen to them.'
'They have the writings of Moses and the Prophets,' replied Abraham; 'let them listen to them.' 'But, Father Abraham,' he urged, 'if some one from the dead were to go to them, they would repent.'
'But, Father Abraham,' he urged, 'if some one from the dead were to go to them, they would repent.'
'But, Father Abraham,' he urged, 'if some one from the dead were to go to them, they would repent.'
'But, Father Abraham,' he urged, 'if some one from the dead were to go to them, they would repent.' 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets,' answered Abraham, 'they will not be persuaded, even if some one were to rise from the dead.'"
'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets,' answered Abraham, 'they will not be persuaded, even if some one were to rise from the dead.'"
When he drew near, on seeing the city, he wept over it, and said:
In truth I tell you that he who listens to my Message and believes him who sent me, has Immortal Life, and does not come under condemnation, but has already passed out of Death into Life. In truth I tell you that a time is coming, indeed it is already here, when the Dead will listen to the voice of the Son of God, and when those who listen will live.
Upon this the Jews again sought to arrest him; but he escaped their hands. Then Jesus again crossed the Jordan to the place where John used to baptize at first, and stayed there some time, during which many people came to see him.
Now a man named Lazarus, of Bethany, was lying ill; he belonged to the same village as Mary and her sister Martha.
Jesus loved Martha and her sister, and Lazarus.
Jesus loved Martha and her sister, and Lazarus.
"Rabbi," they replied, "the Jews were but just now seeking to stone you; and are you going there again?" "Are not there twelve hours in the day?" answered Jesus. "If a man walks about in the day-time, he does not stumble, because he can see the light of the sun; read more. But, if he walks about at night, he stumbles, because he has not the light." And, when he had said this, he added: "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going that I may wake him."
A number of the Jews had come there to condole with Martha and Mary on their brother's death.
Even now, I know that God will grant you whatever you ask him."
"I know that he will," replied Martha, "in the resurrection at the Last Day."
After saying this, Martha went and called her sister Mary, and whispered: "The Teacher is here, and is asking for you."
The dead man came out, wrapped hand and foot in a winding- sheet; his face, too, had been wrapped in a cloth. "Set him free," said Jesus, "and let him go." In consequence of this, many of the Jews, who had come to visit Mary and had seen what Jesus did, learned to believe in him. read more. Some of them, however, went to the Pharisees, and told them what he had done.
Some of them, however, went to the Pharisees, and told them what he had done. Upon this the Chief Priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the High Council, and said: "What are we to do, now that this man is giving so many signs? read more. If we let him alone as we are doing, every one will believe in him; and the Romans will come and will take from us both our City and our Nationality." One of them, however, Caiaphas, who was High Priest that year, said to them: "You are utterly mistaken. You do not consider that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, rather than the whole nation should be destroyed." Now he did not say this of his own accord; but, as High Priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was to die for the nation-- And not for the nation only, but also that he might unite in one body the Children of God now scattered far and wide. So from that day they plotted to put Jesus to death.
There a supper was given in honor at which Martha waited, while Lazarus was one of those present at the table.
There a supper was given in honor at which Martha waited, while Lazarus was one of those present at the table.
The Chief Priests, however, plotted to put Lazarus, as well as Jesus, to death,
The Chief Priests, however, plotted to put Lazarus, as well as Jesus, to death,
The Chief Priests, however, plotted to put Lazarus, as well as Jesus, to death, Because it was owing to him that many of the Jews had left them, and were becoming believers in Jesus. read more. On the following day great numbers of people who had come to the Festival, hearing that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem, took palm-branches,
Meanwhile the people who were with him, when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, were telling what they had seen. This, indeed, was why the crowd met him--because people had heard that he had given this sign of his mission.
Being in this position, that disciple leant back on Jesus' shoulder, and asked him: "Who is it, Master?"
"At last," exclaimed the disciples, "you are using plain words and not speaking in figures at all.
Presently Simon Peter came following behind him, and went into the tomb; and he looked at the linen wrappings lying there, And the cloth which had been upon Jesus' head, not lying with the wrappings, but rolled up on one side, separately.
God did not at that time give him any part of it, not even a foot of ground. But he promised to 'give him possession of it and his descendants after him, though at that time he had no child.
Why do you all hold it incredible that God should raise the dead?
Our High Priest is not one unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has in every way been tempted, exactly as we have been, but without sinning.
All these died sustained by faith. They did not obtain the promised blessings, but they saw them from a distance and welcomed the sight, and they acknowledged themselves to be only aliens and strangers on the earth.
To the Angel of the Church in Sardis write:-- "These are the words of him who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars;--I know your life, and that men say of you that you are living, though you 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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Yes, and many will come in from East and West and take their places beside Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the Kingdom of Heaven;
On going away from that place, Jesus retired to the country round Tyre and Sidon. There, a Canaanite woman of that district came out and began calling to Jesus: "Take pity on me, Master, Son of David; my daughter is grievously possessed by a demon." read more. But Jesus did not answer her a word; and his disciples came up and begged him to send her away. "She keeps calling out after us," they said. "I was not sent," replied Jesus, "to any one except the lost sheep of Israel." But the woman came, and, bowing to the ground before him, said: "Master, help me." "It is not fair," replied Jesus, "to take the children's food and throw it to dogs." "Yes, Master," she said, "for even dogs do feed on the scraps that fall from their owners' table." "Your faith is great," was his reply to the woman; "it shall be as you wish!" And her daughter was cured that very hour.
After Jesus had reached Bethany, and while he was in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster jar of very costly perfume, and poured the perfume upon his head as he was at table. read more. The disciples were indignant at seeing this. "What is this waste for?" they exclaimed. "It could have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to poor people." "Why are you troubling the woman?" Jesus said, when he noticed it. "For this is a beautiful deed that she has done to me. You always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. In pouring this perfume on my body, she has done it for my burying. I tell you, wherever, in the whole world, this Good News is proclaimed, what this woman has done will be told in memory of her."
On leaving that place, Jesus went to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And he went into a house, and did not wish anyone to know it, but could not escape notice. For a woman, whose little daughter had a foul spirit in her, heard of him immediately, and came and threw herself at his feet-- read more. The woman was a foreigner, a native of Syrian Phoenicia--and she begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter. "Let the children be satisfied first," answered Jesus. "For it is not fair to take the children's food, and throw it to dogs." "Yes, Master," she replied; "even the dogs under the table do feed on the children's crumbs." "For saying that," he answered, "you may go. The demon has gone out of your daughter." The woman went home, and found the child lying on her bed, and the demon gone.
When Jesus was still at Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, while he was at table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of choice spikenard perfume of great value. She broke the jar, and poured the perfume on his head. Some of those who were present said to one another indignantly: "Why has the perfume been wasted like this? read more. This perfume could have been sold for more than thirty pounds, and the money given to the poor." "Let her alone," said Jesus, as they began to find fault with her, "why are you troubling her? This is a beautiful deed that she has done for me. You always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has perfumed my body beforehand for my burial. And I tell you, wherever, in the whole world, the Good News is proclaimed, what this woman has done will be told in memory of her."
And I say to you 'Win friends for yourselves with your dishonest money,' so that, when it comes to an end, there may be a welcome for you into the Eternal Home.
There was once a rich man, who dressed in purple robes and fine linen, and feasted every day in great splendor. Near his gateway there had been laid a beggar named Lazarus, who was covered with sores, read more. And who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table. Even the very dogs came and licked his sores. After a time the beggar died, and was taken by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In the Place of Death he looked up in his torment, and saw Abraham at a distance and Lazarus at his side. So he called out 'Pity me, Father Abraham, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering agony in this flame.' 'Child,' answered Abraham, 'remember that you in your lifetime received what you thought desirable, just as Lazarus received what was not desirable; but now he has his consolation here, while you are suffering agony. And not only that, but between you and us there lies a great chasm, so that those who wish to pass from here to you cannot, nor can they cross from there to us.' 'Then, Father,' he said, 'I beg you to send Lazarus to my father's house-- For I have five brothers to warn them, so that they may not come to this place of torture also.' 'They have the writings of Moses and the Prophets,' replied Abraham; 'let them listen to them.' 'But, Father Abraham,' he urged, 'if some one from the dead were to go to them, they would repent.' 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets,' answered Abraham, 'they will not be persuaded, even if some one were to rise from the dead.'"
All this took place at Bethany, across the Jordan, where John was then baptizing.
So Jesus came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. Now there was one of the King's officers whose son was lying ill at Capernaum. When this man heard that Jesus had returned from Judea to Galilee, he went to him, and begged him to come down and cure his son; for he was at the point of death. read more. Jesus answered: "Unless you all see signs and wonders, you will not believe." "Sir," said the officer, "come down before my child dies." And Jesus answered: "Go, your son is living." The man believed what Jesus said to him, and went; And, while he was on his way down, his servants met him, and told him that his child was living. So he asked them at what time the boy began to get better. "It was yesterday, about one o'clock," they said, "that the fever left him." By this the father knew that it was at the very time when Jesus had said to him 'Your son is living'; and he himself, with all his household, believed in Jesus. This was the second occasion on which Jesus gave a sign of his mission on coming from Judea to Galilee.
The Jews again brought stones to throw at him;
Upon this the Jews again sought to arrest him; but he escaped their hands. Then Jesus again crossed the Jordan to the place where John used to baptize at first, and stayed there some time, during which many people came to see him.
Now a man named Lazarus, of Bethany, was lying ill; he belonged to the same village as Mary and her sister Martha. This Mary, whose brother Lazarus was ill, was the Mary who anointed the Master with perfume, and wiped his feet with her hair. read more. The sisters, therefore, sent this message to Jesus--'Master, your friend is ill';
The sisters, therefore, sent this message to Jesus--'Master, your friend is ill'; And, when Jesus heard it, he said: "This illness is not to end in death, but is to redound to the honor of God, in order that the Son of God may be honored through it." read more. Jesus loved Martha and her sister, and Lazarus. Yet, when he heard of the illness of Lazarus, he still stayed two days in the place where he was. Then, after that, he said to his disciples: "Let us go to Judea again." "Rabbi," they replied, "the Jews were but just now seeking to stone you; and are you going there again?" "Are not there twelve hours in the day?" answered Jesus. "If a man walks about in the day-time, he does not stumble, because he can see the light of the sun; But, if he walks about at night, he stumbles, because he has not the light." And, when he had said this, he added: "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going that I may wake him."
And, when he had said this, he added: "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going that I may wake him." "If he has fallen asleep, Master, he will get well," said the disciples. read more. But Jesus meant that he was dead; they, however, supposed that he was speaking of natural sleep. Then he said to them plainly: "Lazarus is dead; And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may learn to believe in me. But let us go to him." At this, Thomas, who was called 'The Twin,' said to his fellow-disciples: "Let us go too, so that we may die with him." When Jesus reached the place, he found that Lazarus had been four days in the tomb already. Bethany being only about two miles from Jerusalem, A number of the Jews had come there to condole with Martha and Mary on their brother's death.
A number of the Jews had come there to condole with Martha and Mary on their brother's death. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat quietly at home. read more. "Master," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. Even now, I know that God will grant you whatever you ask him." "Your brother shall rise to life," said Jesus. "I know that he will," replied Martha, "in the resurrection at the Last Day." "I am the Resurrection and the Life," said Jesus. "He that believes in me shall live, though he die; And he who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" "Yes Master," she answered; "I have learned to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, 'who was to come' into the world." After saying this, Martha went and called her sister Mary, and whispered: "The Teacher is here, and is asking for you." As soon as Mary heard that, she got up quickly, and went to meet him. Jesus had not then come into the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. So the Jews, who were in the house with Mary, condoling with her, when they saw her get up quickly and go out, followed her, thinking that she was going to the tomb to weep there. When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she threw herself at his feet. "Master," she exclaimed, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died!" When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her weeping also, he groaned deeply, and was greatly distressed. "Where have you buried him?" he asked. "Come and see, Master," they answered. Jesus burst into tears. "How he must have loved him!" the Jews exclaimed;
"How he must have loved him!" the Jews exclaimed; But some of them said: "Could not this man, who gave sight to the blind man, have also prevented Lazarus from dying?" read more. Again groaning inwardly, Jesus came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against the mouth of it. "Move the stone away," said Jesus. "Master," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time the smell must be offensive, for this is the fourth day since his death."
"Move the stone away," said Jesus. "Master," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time the smell must be offensive, for this is the fourth day since his death." "Did not I tell you," replied Jesus, "that, if you would believe in me, you should see the glory of God?" read more. So they moved the stone away; and Jesus, with uplifted eyes, said: "Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard my prayer; I know that thou always headrest me; but I say this for the sake of the people standing near, so that they may believe that thou has sent me as thy Messenger." Then, after saying this, Jesus called in a loud voice: "Lazarus! come out!" The dead man came out, wrapped hand and foot in a winding- sheet; his face, too, had been wrapped in a cloth. "Set him free," said Jesus, "and let him go."
Upon this the Chief Priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the High Council, and said: "What are we to do, now that this man is giving so many signs? If we let him alone as we are doing, every one will believe in him; and the Romans will come and will take from us both our City and our Nationality." read more. One of them, however, Caiaphas, who was High Priest that year, said to them: "You are utterly mistaken. You do not consider that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, rather than the whole nation should be destroyed." Now he did not say this of his own accord; but, as High Priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was to die for the nation-- And not for the nation only, but also that he might unite in one body the Children of God now scattered far and wide. So from that day they plotted to put Jesus to death.
Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead, was living. There a supper was given in honor at which Martha waited, while Lazarus was one of those present at the table. read more. So Mary took a pound of choice spikenard perfume of great value, and anointed the feet of Jesus with it, and then wiped them with her hair. The whole house was filled with the scent of the perfume.
So Mary took a pound of choice spikenard perfume of great value, and anointed the feet of Jesus with it, and then wiped them with her hair. The whole house was filled with the scent of the perfume. One of the disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was about to betray Jesus, asked: read more. "Why was not this perfume sold for thirty pounds, and the money given to poor people?" He said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and, being in charge of the purse, used to take what was put in it. "Let her alone," said Jesus, "that she may keep it till the day when my body is being prepared for burial. The poor you always have with you, but you will not always have me." Now great numbers of the Jews found out that Jesus was at Bethany; and they came there, not solely on his account, but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. The Chief Priests, however, plotted to put Lazarus, as well as Jesus, to death,
The Chief Priests, however, plotted to put Lazarus, as well as Jesus, to death, Because it was owing to him that many of the Jews had left them, and were becoming believers in Jesus.
Because it was owing to him that many of the Jews had left them, and were becoming believers in Jesus.
Meanwhile the people who were with him, when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, were telling what they had seen. This, indeed, was why the crowd met him--because people had heard that he had given this sign of his mission.
Next to Jesus, in the place on his right hand, was one of his disciples, whom he loved.
Next to Jesus, in the place on his right hand, was one of his disciples, whom he loved.
that man shall drink the maddening wine of God that has been poured unmixed into the cup of his Wrath, and he shall be tortured with fire and sulphur before the eyes of the holy angels and before the eyes of the Lamb.
Morish
Laz'arus
1. Brother of Martha and Mary, and a resident at Bethany. Jesus loved them all, and He spoke of Lazarus as 'our friend.' Very little is recorded of him except the striking fact that he was raised from the dead by the Lord Jesus, which manifested the glory of God and glorified the Son of God. When his sisters made the Lord a supper at Bethany, Lazarus was one of those who sat with Him. He was a living witness of the power of the Son of God over death, and as such he was in danger of being killed by the Jews, on account of many believing on the Lord because of him. Joh 11:1-43; 12:1-17.
2. The poor man in the parable of Luke 16. His circumstances are related
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There was once a rich man, who dressed in purple robes and fine linen, and feasted every day in great splendor. Near his gateway there had been laid a beggar named Lazarus, who was covered with sores, read more. And who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table. Even the very dogs came and licked his sores. After a time the beggar died, and was taken by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In the Place of Death he looked up in his torment, and saw Abraham at a distance and Lazarus at his side. So he called out 'Pity me, Father Abraham, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering agony in this flame.' 'Child,' answered Abraham, 'remember that you in your lifetime received what you thought desirable, just as Lazarus received what was not desirable; but now he has his consolation here, while you are suffering agony. And not only that, but between you and us there lies a great chasm, so that those who wish to pass from here to you cannot, nor can they cross from there to us.' 'Then, Father,' he said, 'I beg you to send Lazarus to my father's house-- For I have five brothers to warn them, so that they may not come to this place of torture also.' 'They have the writings of Moses and the Prophets,' replied Abraham; 'let them listen to them.' 'But, Father Abraham,' he urged, 'if some one from the dead were to go to them, they would repent.' 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets,' answered Abraham, 'they will not be persuaded, even if some one were to rise from the dead.'"
Now a man named Lazarus, of Bethany, was lying ill; he belonged to the same village as Mary and her sister Martha. This Mary, whose brother Lazarus was ill, was the Mary who anointed the Master with perfume, and wiped his feet with her hair. read more. The sisters, therefore, sent this message to Jesus--'Master, your friend is ill'; And, when Jesus heard it, he said: "This illness is not to end in death, but is to redound to the honor of God, in order that the Son of God may be honored through it." Jesus loved Martha and her sister, and Lazarus. Yet, when he heard of the illness of Lazarus, he still stayed two days in the place where he was. Then, after that, he said to his disciples: "Let us go to Judea again." "Rabbi," they replied, "the Jews were but just now seeking to stone you; and are you going there again?" "Are not there twelve hours in the day?" answered Jesus. "If a man walks about in the day-time, he does not stumble, because he can see the light of the sun; But, if he walks about at night, he stumbles, because he has not the light." And, when he had said this, he added: "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going that I may wake him." "If he has fallen asleep, Master, he will get well," said the disciples. But Jesus meant that he was dead; they, however, supposed that he was speaking of natural sleep. Then he said to them plainly: "Lazarus is dead; And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may learn to believe in me. But let us go to him." At this, Thomas, who was called 'The Twin,' said to his fellow-disciples: "Let us go too, so that we may die with him." When Jesus reached the place, he found that Lazarus had been four days in the tomb already. Bethany being only about two miles from Jerusalem, A number of the Jews had come there to condole with Martha and Mary on their brother's death. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat quietly at home. "Master," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. Even now, I know that God will grant you whatever you ask him." "Your brother shall rise to life," said Jesus. "I know that he will," replied Martha, "in the resurrection at the Last Day." "I am the Resurrection and the Life," said Jesus. "He that believes in me shall live, though he die; And he who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" "Yes Master," she answered; "I have learned to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, 'who was to come' into the world." After saying this, Martha went and called her sister Mary, and whispered: "The Teacher is here, and is asking for you." As soon as Mary heard that, she got up quickly, and went to meet him. Jesus had not then come into the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. So the Jews, who were in the house with Mary, condoling with her, when they saw her get up quickly and go out, followed her, thinking that she was going to the tomb to weep there. When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she threw herself at his feet. "Master," she exclaimed, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died!" When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her weeping also, he groaned deeply, and was greatly distressed. "Where have you buried him?" he asked. "Come and see, Master," they answered. Jesus burst into tears. "How he must have loved him!" the Jews exclaimed; But some of them said: "Could not this man, who gave sight to the blind man, have also prevented Lazarus from dying?" Again groaning inwardly, Jesus came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against the mouth of it. "Move the stone away," said Jesus. "Master," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time the smell must be offensive, for this is the fourth day since his death." "Did not I tell you," replied Jesus, "that, if you would believe in me, you should see the glory of God?" So they moved the stone away; and Jesus, with uplifted eyes, said: "Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard my prayer; I know that thou always headrest me; but I say this for the sake of the people standing near, so that they may believe that thou has sent me as thy Messenger." Then, after saying this, Jesus called in a loud voice: "Lazarus! come out!"
Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead, was living. There a supper was given in honor at which Martha waited, while Lazarus was one of those present at the table. read more. So Mary took a pound of choice spikenard perfume of great value, and anointed the feet of Jesus with it, and then wiped them with her hair. The whole house was filled with the scent of the perfume. One of the disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was about to betray Jesus, asked: "Why was not this perfume sold for thirty pounds, and the money given to poor people?" He said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and, being in charge of the purse, used to take what was put in it. "Let her alone," said Jesus, "that she may keep it till the day when my body is being prepared for burial. The poor you always have with you, but you will not always have me." Now great numbers of the Jews found out that Jesus was at Bethany; and they came there, not solely on his account, but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. The Chief Priests, however, plotted to put Lazarus, as well as Jesus, to death, Because it was owing to him that many of the Jews had left them, and were becoming believers in Jesus. On the following day great numbers of people who had come to the Festival, hearing that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem, took palm-branches, And went out to meet him, shouting as they went: "'God save Him! Blessed is He who Comes in the name of the Lord'--The King of Israel!" Having found a young ass, Jesus seated himself on it, in accordance with the passage of Scripture-- 'Fear not, Daughter of Zion; Behold, thy King is coming to thee, Sitting on the foal of an ass.' His disciples did not understand all this at first; but, when Jesus had been exalted, then they remembered that these things had been said of him in Scripture, and that they had done these things for him. Meanwhile the people who were with him, when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, were telling what they had seen.
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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Now a man named Lazarus, of Bethany, was lying ill; he belonged to the same village as Mary and her sister Martha.
Now a man named Lazarus, of Bethany, was lying ill; he belonged to the same village as Mary and her sister Martha.
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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Jesus loved Martha and her sister, and Lazarus.