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People of the Bible
Who Was Lazarus?
In short
Lazarus was a friend of Jesus who fell sick and died. By the time Jesus arrived, he had been in the tomb four days, and his sisters Mary and Martha were deep in grief.
Jesus wept, and then called Lazarus out of the grave, alive. It was one of His most stunning miracles, and a living preview of the resurrection He Himself would soon accomplish.
“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live”
John 11:25 · King James Version (public domain)
Lazarus at a glance
| Name | Lazarus |
|---|---|
| Where to read about them | The Gospel of John |
| Key passage on this page | John 11:25 |
| Passages linked to that verse | 10 |
| Translation on this page | King James Version (public domain) |
Read it in context
Read it beside its neighbours. These are the passages readers most often set next to this one.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:14
- John 3:36
- 1 John 5:11-12
- John 1:4
- Romans 8:10-11
- John 5:21
- Isaiah 26:19
- Romans 8:2
- John 6:44
- John 6:39-40
Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info, used under CC BY.
Questions people ask
Where can I read about Lazarus in the Bible?
Lazarus appears in The Gospel of John. Start with the key passage on this page, then read the whole chapter around it.
What other passages sit beside John 11:25?
Readers most often set it next to 1 Thessalonians 4:14, John 3:36, 1 John 5:11-12, John 1:4.
Why does Lazarus matter to Christians today?
Because the story of Lazarus is told to point to Christ and to teach us to love one another. Read it as part of the one story of Scripture, not as a stand-alone biography.
Pray this
Father, you are already present in Lazarus, before any of us arrive. We bring you Lazarus, The Gospel of John. Teach us to love one another, as you have loved us. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Live this
Where to begin this week.
- Read the key passage, John 11:25, aloud once today.
- Write one sentence about what Lazarus's story says about God, not only about Lazarus.
- Tell one person what you noticed, and ask what Bible story has stayed with them.
Where this fits in the walk with Christ
Christ meets people in a place, and then walks on with them. Here are doors that walk on.
Read the story of Lazarus
You can read the story of Lazarus in The Gospel of John on The Living Bread, free, with audio, and with Simon to answer your questions along the way.
