Who was Lazarus in the Bible?

Answer

There are two men named Lazarus in the Bible. The first Lazarus is the focus of a story recounted by Jesus in (Luke 16:19-31). Lazarus was extremely poor, likely homeless, and certainly a beggar “and there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,” (Luke 16:20). He frequently lingered at the rich man’s gate hoping to receive scraps from his table. Both men passed away, and Jesus describes how Lazarus was taken to “Abraham’s side,” a place of comfort and rest, while the rich man went to “Hades,” a place of conscious torment (Luke 16:22-23). Some Bible scholars suggest that Jesus was presenting a parable, a fictional narrative not intended to be a literal report. Nevertheless, Jesus uses real names in the story, does not provide an interpretation, and does not add a moral at the end. He allows the story to speak for itself. Due to these specifics, the account of Lazarus and the rich man could be a factual report, detailing the actual destinies of Lazarus and the unbelieving rich man. In any case, Jesus’ teachings on the certainty of heaven and hell are evident. The Lazarus in Jesus’ narrative is not mentioned elsewhere in the Bible, and we are uncertain about the historical period in which he may have existed, if he was a real individual.

The second Lazarus, also known as Lazarus of Bethany, was the sibling of Mary and Martha. These three siblings were companions and followers of Jesus, individuals whom Jesus cherished “Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.”, (John 11:5). On one occasion, an urgent message arrived from Bethany to Jesus: His friend Lazarus had fallen ill, and Mary and Martha desiredJesus to come and heal him, for he was near death. Jesus then puzzled His disciples and friends. He started by saying that the illness would not lead to death; rather, it would be for God’s glory, “When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.” (John 11:4). Then Jesus stayed two days where He was before suggesting going back to Judea, where Lazarus was but also where Jesus’ enemies had also recently tried to stone Him (John 11:5-8). During Jesus’ delay, Lazarus died, but Jesus referred to Lazarus as “asleep” and told the disciples He was going to wake him up, “These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.” (John 11:11). The disciples responded, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better,” clearly thinking of physical sleep, “Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.” (John 11:12). Then Jesus told them plainly that Lazarus had died, but they were still going to see him, “Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.” (John 11:14). Thomas perfectly expresses the disciples’ confused frustration by saying, “Let us also go, that we may die with him,” “Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.” (John 11:16)—he saw that Jesus was resolute, but knew the dangers of such a trip, “His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought”

To stone thee; and goest thou thither again?”, (John 11:8).

When they arrived at Lazarus’ home in Bethany, they found Mary and Martha grief-stricken. They had buried their brother four days earlier. Jesus had not come to help. They were confused and frustrated, but their faith in Jesus was intact (John 11:17-36). Everything became clear when Jesus did the unexpected: He went to Lazarus’ tomb and raised him from the dead (John 11:43-44).

The entire episode of Lazarus’ sickness, death, and restoration to life worked toward giving glory to God and increasing the faith of Jesus’ followers, just as Jesus had said when He heard of Lazarus’ illness. Just before He raised Lazarus, Jesus prayed, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me” (John 11:41-42). Jesus’ prayer was answered: Lazarus came back to life, and “many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him” «Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. », (John 11:45).

When Jesus called to Lazarus, Lazarus emerged from the tomb—not a zombie or half-dead or undead, but fully alive and well. Such is the power of Christ. Scripture never records what Lazarus experienced during his four days in the tomb. We assume that his soul/spirit was in paradise, where the other Lazarus was.

After Lazarus was raised from the dead, the chief priests and Pharisees plotted to kill him because so many witnesses to the miracle believed in him.Jesus (John 12:9-11). The adversaries of Christ could not refute the miracle; the next best option, in their perspective, was to eliminate the evidence—in this instance, the evidence was a living, breathing individual. However, they could not prevent the truth from disseminating.