Lazarus
Lazarus in the Bible
Lazarus of Bethany is the brother of Martha and Mary whom Jesus raises from the dead in John 11. His story becomes a major sign in John’s Gospel and contributes to the escalating plot against Jesus.
Lazarus at a Glance
Key Bible Passages About Lazarus
John 11:1–44
Lazarus becomes ill, dies, and is raised by Jesus.
John 11:45–57
Responses to the sign intensify the plot against Jesus.
John 12:1–11
Lazarus eats with Jesus and becomes a focus of public attention.
John 12:17–19
The crowd continues testifying about the raising of Lazarus.
The Story of Lazarus
John introduces Lazarus as a man from Bethany and the brother of Mary and Martha. When Lazarus becomes ill, the sisters send word to Jesus. Jesus arrives after Lazarus has been in the tomb four days.
Jesus speaks with Martha about resurrection and identifies himself as ‘the resurrection and the life.’ At the tomb Jesus weeps, prays, calls Lazarus out, and orders those present to unbind him.
John presents the raising of Lazarus as a decisive sign. Some witnesses believe in Jesus, while others report the event to the authorities. The following chapter places Lazarus at a meal with Jesus and says crowds come partly to see him. The chief priests then plan to kill Lazarus as well because his story is drawing people toward Jesus.
Where Does Lazarus Appear in the Bible?
Historical & Cultural Context
Bethany lies near Jerusalem. John places Lazarus and his sisters within a household closely associated with Jesus during the final phase of his ministry.
Literary Role
Lazarus of Bethany appears only in John 11–12. He should not be identified with the Lazarus in Jesus’ parable of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16; the texts present different figures in different literary settings.
Character & Significance
Lazarus’s story is one of the climactic signs in John and tightly connects Jesus’ claims about resurrection with the narrative movement toward his own death.
Important People in Lazarus’s Life
Martha
SisterMartha speaks with Jesus during Lazarus’s death and raising.
Mary of Bethany
SisterMary mourns Lazarus and later appears with him at Bethany.
Jesus
Friend and the one who raises himJohn explicitly says Jesus loved Lazarus and his sisters.
The Life and Story of Lazarus
Illness
Mary and Martha send word that Lazarus is ill.
Death and Burial
Jesus arrives after Lazarus has died and been buried.
Raised from the Tomb
Jesus calls Lazarus out of the tomb.
Public Reaction
The sign produces belief and intensified opposition.
Meal at Bethany
Lazarus eats with Jesus and draws a crowd.
Research Questions About Lazarus
Why is Lazarus’s raising so important in John?
Read John 11–12 as a unit and trace how the sign leads directly into intensified opposition.
Is Lazarus of Bethany the Lazarus in Luke 16?
No textual connection identifies them as the same person; Luke’s Lazarus appears inside a parable, while John presents Lazarus of Bethany in narrative.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lazarus
Who was Lazarus in the Bible?
Lazarus of Bethany was the brother of Martha and Mary whom Jesus raised from the dead in John 11.
How long had Lazarus been dead?
John 11:39 says Lazarus had been in the tomb four days.
Is Lazarus in John the same Lazarus as in Luke 16?
The Bible does not identify them as the same person; they appear in different literary contexts.
What happened to Lazarus afterward?
John 12 shows Lazarus alive at Bethany and says the chief priests planned to kill him. The New Testament does not narrate his later life or death.
Citing This BibleVerses.com Research Guide
Citation styles vary by instructor and institution. These are convenient starting points; students should follow their assigned style guide.
“Lazarus: Life, Story, Bible Verses & Significance.” BibleVerses.com, https://www.bibleverses.com/bible/people/lazarus/. Accessed October 1, 2026.
BibleVerses.com. “Lazarus: Life, Story, Bible Verses & Significance.” Accessed October 1, 2026. https://www.bibleverses.com/bible/people/lazarus/.
When citing Scripture itself, cite the Bible translation and passage separately according to your required style.
