Lazarus: Bible Character Study

Introduction

Lazarus lived in Bethany with his sisters Martha and Mary. When he fell ill, his sisters sent word to Jesus: Lord, he whom you love is ill. John says Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, and yet he stayed two days longer where he was. By the time he arrived, Lazarus had been in the tomb four days.

Jesus wept. Then he had the stone taken away and cried out with a loud voice, Lazarus, come out. The man who had died came out, bound in grave cloths. Many believed. The chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on his account many were going away and believing in Jesus. Lazarus never says a word in Scripture. His life was the testimony.

Lazarus, come out.
(ESV)

Name means: Greek form of Eleazar, “God has helped”
Home: Bethany, near Jerusalem
Role: Brother of Martha and Mary, friend of Jesus
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Lazarus's story

Beginning
He whom you love is ill
His sisters send for Jesus, who waits two days.
Low point
Four days in the tomb
Lazarus has died and been buried.
Turning point
Jesus wept
Jesus is deeply moved at the tomb.
High point
Come out
He walks out, bound in linen.
Ending
At the table
He eats with Jesus, while the priests plot to kill him too.

Starts as a sick man in Bethany. Ends as living proof that Jesus is the resurrection.

Where Lazarus lived and went

Only places Scripture records. Softer, dotted pins are traditional or uncertain sites. Tap a pin for the passage.

HomeMinistryKey momentTraditional or uncertainPinch or use + to zoom. Tap a cluster to spread it out.

Lazarus appears only in Bethany.

How Lazarus is wired

Why there's no type here

Lazarus never speaks in Scripture. We know him only by what happened to him.

Strengths & struggles

What's good in Lazarus

Scripture records nothing he said or did except share a table with Jesus ().

Where Lazarus struggles

Scripture records nothing.

What Lazarus wanted most

Scripture does not say.

What Lazarus feared most

Scripture does not say.

Lazarus's people

Jesus

Martha

Mary of Bethany

Family

MarthaHis sister (John 11:1).

Mary of BethanyHis sister (John 11:1-2).

Friends

JesusLoved him and raised him (John 11:5, 43).

Opposed

The chief priestsPlanned to kill him as well ().

Family of Faith

See where Lazarus fits

AbrahamJesus

c. 5 BC – AD 40 (debated). Knew Jesus face to face.

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Where this points to Christ

Jesus called Lazarus out of the grave, then walked into his own.

At Lazarus's tomb Jesus said, I am the resurrection and the life (). Raising Lazarus set in motion the plot that led to the cross (). Lazarus would die again; Jesus rose to die no more, and promises that all who are in the tombs will hear his voice ().