The Raising of Lazarus
Death Defeated Four Days Too Late — Or Right on Time
Where to find this story in the Bible
The story of Raising of Lazarus is found in John 11:1–44 of the King James Bible (John).
Books: John
Historical & Cultural Context
Lazarus lived in Bethany, about two miles east of Jerusalem, with his sisters Mary and Martha. Jesus deliberately delayed two days after hearing Lazarus was sick, arriving four days after the death. In Jewish belief, the soul lingered near the body for three days; by the fourth day, death was considered irreversible. The raising of Lazarus was the catalyst for the Sanhedrin's decision to kill Jesus (John 11:53) — ironically, the one who raised the dead was sentenced to death because He raised the dead.
Key Characters
Key Verses
John 11:25-26
"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"Read in context
John 11:43-44
"And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go."Read in context
The Deliberate Delay
When Jesus heard that His close friend Lazarus was sick, He did something that seemed callous: He stayed where He was for two more days. He loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus — John makes this explicit — yet He deliberately delayed. By the time Jesus arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been in the tomb four days. In Jewish belief, the soul lingered near the body for three days; by the fourth day, decomposition was undeniable, hope was extinguished, and death was final. Jesus waited until the situation was humanly impossible. He was not late — He was setting the stage for the greatest miracle before His own resurrection.
The Grief and the Claim
Martha met Jesus on the road: 'Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.' It was grief, faith, and accusation blended together. Jesus responded with one of the most audacious claims in all of Scripture: 'I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.' Then He asked: 'Believest thou this?' Martha answered with raw, unpolished faith: 'Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.' Mary came next, falling at His feet, repeating Martha's words through tears.
Jesus Wept
When Jesus saw Mary weeping and the Jews weeping with her, 'he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled.' Then the shortest and one of the most profound verses in the Bible: 'Jesus wept.' The Son of God, who knew He was about to raise Lazarus from the dead, still wept. He was not weeping from hopelessness — He was weeping from compassion. He entered fully into the grief of His friends. Some scholars believe His groaning was also directed at death itself — a righteous anger at the curse that had invaded God's good creation. Jesus did not stand at a distance from human pain. He wept in it, with it, over it.
Lazarus, Come Forth
At the tomb — a cave with a stone covering — Jesus said, 'Take ye away the stone.' Martha objected: 'Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.' Jesus reminded her: 'Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?' They removed the stone. Jesus prayed aloud — not for His own benefit but so the crowd would believe the Father had sent Him. Then He cried with a loud voice: 'Lazarus, come forth!' And the dead man came out, still wrapped in burial cloths. 'Loose him, and let him go.' Four days dead, decomposing, beyond every human remedy — and the voice of Christ was enough. Death had no choice but to obey.
Symbolism & Typology
Four Days Dead
Beyond any possibility of resuscitation or trickery. Jesus chose the impossible moment to act — when human hope was exhausted. God's greatest works often come after we've given up.
Jesus Wept
The shortest verse in the Bible reveals the deepest truth: God grieves with us. Though Jesus knew He would raise Lazarus, He still wept — compassion does not require ignorance of the outcome.
Grave Clothes
Jesus commanded others to 'loose him, and let him go.' Lazarus was alive but still bound. Many believers have received new life but remain wrapped in old habits, fears, and identities that need to be removed.
The Open Tomb
Jesus commanded 'Take ye away the stone' — He involved human obedience in the miracle. God does what only God can do (raise the dead) but asks us to do what we can do (remove the stone, unwrap the cloth).
Cross-References
Spiritual Lessons
God's Delays Are Not God's Denials
Jesus delayed on purpose — not because He did not care, but because He had a greater plan. When God seems late, He is often preparing something beyond what we originally asked for. Martha asked for healing; Jesus gave resurrection. Sometimes God allows situations to become impossible so that His glory will be unmistakable.
Jesus Is the Resurrection
Jesus did not say 'I will perform a resurrection' — He said 'I AM the resurrection and the life.' Resurrection is not merely something Jesus does; it is who He is. This means that death does not have the final word for anyone connected to Christ. He is the source of life itself — and nothing dead can remain dead in His presence.
Compassion and Power Coexist in Christ
Jesus wept AND raised the dead — in the same visit. He was not too powerful to cry, and not too emotional to act. Compassion without power is pity; power without compassion is tyranny. In Jesus, infinite power is wielded by infinite love. He feels our pain and has the authority to end it.
The Voice of Christ Commands Life
Augustine noted that if Jesus had not said 'Lazarus,' every dead body in every grave would have risen. The voice that spoke the universe into existence called one man by name out of death. That same voice calls every believer by name: 'My sheep hear my voice' (John 10:27). The God who names the stars names His children.
Discussion Questions
Use these questions for personal reflection, small groups, or family Bible time.
What does the story of The Raising of Lazarus teach us about god's delays are not god's denials? How have you seen this truth in your own life?
Jesus Is the Resurrection: How does this lesson from The Raising of Lazarus challenge the way you think or act today?
Put yourself in jesus's position. What would have been the hardest part of this experience? What would have required the most faith?
The theme of this story is "resurrection." Where do you see this theme playing out in the world today?
How does this story reveal something about who Jesus is and what He came to do?
If you could share one truth from The Raising of Lazarus with someone who has never read the Bible, what would it be?
Family Activity Ideas
Bring this story to life with hands-on activities for children and families.
📖 Scripture Memory Challenge
Memorize John 11:25-26 together as a family this week. Write it on a card, post it on the fridge, and practice saying it each morning. By the end of the week, see who can recite it from memory!
All ages🎭 Act It Out
Have family members take turns acting out different scenes from The Raising of Lazarus. Assign roles, create simple costumes from household items, and let everyone participate. After the performance, discuss what each character might have been feeling.
Ages 4–12📝 Story Journal
Give each family member a few minutes to write or draw their favorite part of The Raising of Lazarus. Share your entries and discuss what stood out to each person. Keep these pages in a family Bible journal you can look back on.
Ages 5+🍽️ Dinner Table Devotion
At dinner this week, read John 11:35 aloud and ask each person: "What is one thing from the story of The Raising of Lazarus that you want to remember?" Let everyone share — even the youngest.
All agesFrequently Asked Questions
Where is the story of Raising of Lazarus in the Bible?
The story of Raising of Lazarus is found in John 11:1–44 of the King James Bible (John).
Where in the Bible is the story of Raising of Lazarus?
You can find the story of Raising of Lazarus in John 11:1–44 (KJV).
Where does the story of Raising of Lazarus start in the Bible?
The story of Raising of Lazarus begins in John 11:1–44. Jesus arrives in Bethany four days after His friend Lazarus has died and been buried, weeps at the tomb, then commands Lazarus to come forth — and the dead man walks out alive.
Why did Jesus wait four days?
The four-day delay was theologically significant. After three days, Jewish belief held that the soul had permanently departed. By waiting four days, Jesus ensured there was no possibility of natural recovery or claims of premature burial. The miracle was unmistakable — Lazarus was truly dead, truly decomposing, and truly raised. The delay maximized God's glory.
Did Lazarus die again later?
Yes. Lazarus was raised to mortal life, not glorified eternal life. He eventually died again. His resurrection was a sign pointing to the greater resurrection that Jesus Himself would accomplish — and that all believers will experience at Christ's return (1 Corinthians 15:52). Lazarus's restoration was temporary; the resurrection of the saints will be permanent.
Why is this miracle only in John's Gospel?
John likely included this event because it was the tipping point that led the Sanhedrin to plot Jesus' death (John 11:53). The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) may have omitted it to protect Lazarus and his family from persecution — John 12:10 notes the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus as well. By the time John wrote his Gospel (likely AD 85–95), this danger had passed.
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