Keraia
John 11

John 11:1

The Death of Lazarus · John 11:1–16
Read John 11

Translations

Modern
At this time a man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.
Traditional
Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
Literal
Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus from Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister Martha.
Latin
Erat autem quidam languens Lazarus a Bethania, de castello Mariæ et Marthæ sororis ejus.

Original

Greek
English
At this time a man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.

Notes

John 11:1

  • In the Hebrew language, Lazarus is a shortened form of Eleazar, which means "God helps." In the first century, it was the fourth most common name for Jewish men (see also Luke 16:19–31).

  • Bethany was a small village east of Jerusalem, just past the Mount of Olives (John 11:18). Jesus often stayed there when he visited Jerusalem. He likely traveled through Bethany on his way to Jerusalem. This was because most Jews from Galilee took a route going south to Jericho, then west to Jerusalem.

  • Mary and Martha were sisters (see Luke 10:38–42). Martha was probably older. She was the host in Luke’s Gospel and represented the family. Mary later anointed Jesus with perfume (John 12:1–8).

John 11:1–57

The resurrection of Lazarus points to the future death and resurrection of Jesus. The description of Lazarus’s tomb is similar to the description of the tomb Jesus was placed in after he died (11:38, 44; 20:1, 7). Both accounts mention a cave and burial cloths. These details connect the two events and help us see that Lazarus’s story is a sign.

Soon after Lazarus was raised, a woman anointed Jesus for burial (12:3). This act prepared him for his coming death.

Then the time for his glorification began (12:23).

Events

People

Lazarus: Brother of Mary and Martha; raised from the dead Martha: Sister of Mary and Lazarus, hosted Jesus Mary: Sister of Martha and Lazarus, sat at Jesus' feet

Places

Bethany: Village near Jerusalem, home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus

Glossary

Bethany Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Caiaphas Eternal Life Heal, Healing Jesus Christ John, Gospel of Lazarus

Topics

Bethany: Lazarus Dies and is Raised to Life At Families: Good: Lazarus of Bethany Family: Good: Lazarus of Bethany Friendship: Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, with Jesus Jesus, the Christ: Miracles of Raising of Lazarus Jesus, the Christ: Returns to Bethany and Raises Lazarus from the Dead Lazarus: Brother of Mary and Martha: Sickness and Death of Martha: Sister of Mary and Lazarus Mary: Sister of Lazarus: Beloved of Jesus Miracles of Jesus, in Chronological Order: Raises Lazarus from the Dead Modern Judea: Towns of Bethany Prayer: Martha and Mary Asked Jesus to Come and Heal Their Brother Lazarus Select Readings: The Raising of Lazarus