Jesus as Firstborn From the Dead vs Lazarus
The concept of Jesus as the "firstborn from the dead" is rooted in the New Testament, particularly in Colossians 1:18 and 1 Corinthians 15:20. This title signifies Jesus' unique resurrection, distinct from other instances of people being raised from the dead, such as Lazarus [5, 4].
Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, was raised by Jesus after being dead for four days (John 11:1-44). While this miracle demonstrated Jesus' power over death, it is distinct from Jesus' own resurrection. Lazarus was raised to continue his earthly life, whereas Jesus' resurrection marked the beginning of his glorified state [1, 2].
The early Church Fathers recognized this distinction. Augustine noted that the resurrection of Lazarus was not the same as Jesus', as Lazarus was destined to die again, whereas Jesus' resurrection was a definitive victory over death [3]. John of Damascus echoed this sentiment, stating that Jesus became the "first-fruits of the perfect resurrection that is no longer subject to death" [5].
The significance of Jesus being the "firstborn from the dead" lies in its implications for Christian doctrine. According to John Gill, Jesus' resurrection as the "firstfruits" guarantees the resurrection of believers, just as the firstfruits of a harvest assure the rest of the crop [4]. Adam Clarke further explained that Jesus' resurrection is a proof of the future resurrection of believers, drawing on Jewish customs surrounding the firstfruits [6].
The distinction between Jesus' resurrection and that of Lazarus is not merely a matter of chronology but also of theological significance. While Lazarus' resurrection was a remarkable miracle, it was not a transformation into a glorified state like Jesus' [5]. The title "firstborn from the dead" underscores Jesus' unique role in salvation history, marking him as the pioneer of a new era in human experience.
The early Christian understanding of Jesus as the "firstborn from the dead" is thus deeply connected to the theological significance of his resurrection, distinguishing it from other instances of resurrection in the New Testament, including that of Lazarus.
Sources
- John “John 12:1 (Darby) — Jesus therefore, six days before the passover, came to Bethany, where was the dead [man] Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from among [the] dead.”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Lazarus — (whom God helps), another form of the Hebrew name Eleazar. + Lazarus of Bethany, the brother of Martha and Mary. (John 11:1) All that we know of him is derived from the Gospel of St. John, and that records little more than the facts of his death and resurrection. The language of (John 11:1) implies that the sisters were the better known. Lazarus is "of Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister Martha." From this and from the order of the three names in (John 11:5) we may reasonably infer that Lazarus was the youngest of the family. All the circumstances”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 1: Augustine — Confessions, Letters — TO DEOGRATIAS, MY BROTHER IN ALL SINCERITY, AND MY FELLOW-PRESBYTER, AUGUSTIN SENDS GREETING IN THE LORD. (part 2): two kinds of resurrection corresponds to that which is promised to us? is it that of Christ, or that of Lazarus ? They say, "If the former, how can this correspond with the resurrection of those who have been born by ordinary generations, seeing that He was not thus born ? 3 If, on the other hand, the resurrection of Lazarus is said to correspond to ours, here also there seems to be a discrepancy, since the resurrection of Lazarus w”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 15:19: But now is Christ risen from the dead,.... As was before proved by ocular testimonies, and before preached and asserted; and now reassumed and concluded, from the glaring contradictions, and dreadful absurdities that follow the denial of it: and became the firstfruits of them that slept; who were already fallen asleep; respecting chiefly the saints that died before the resurrection of Christ; and if Christ was the firstfruit of them, there is no difficulty of conceiving how he is the firstfruits of those that die since. The allusion is to the firstfruits of ”
- CCEL (Eastern Orthodox) “John of Damascus, An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, section 103: raised up Lazarus who was destined once more to die. And the Lord became Himself the first-fruits of the perfect resurrection that is no longer subject to death. Wherefore also the divine Apostle Paul said: If the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised. And if Christ be not raised, our faith is vain: we are yet in our sins 2740 2740 1 Cor. xv. 16, 17 . . And, Now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first-fruits of them that slept 2741 2741 Ibid. 20 . , and the first-born from the dead 2742 2742 Col. i. 18 . ; ”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 15:20: But now is Christ risen - On the contrary, Christ is raised from the dead, and is become the first fruits of them that slept. His resurrection has been demonstrated, and our resurrection necessarily follows; as sure as the first fruits are the proof that there is a harvest, so surely the resurrection of Christ is a proof of ours. The Judaizing teacher at Corinth would feel the force of this observation much sooner than we can, who are not much acquainted with Jewish customs. "Although," says Dr. Lightfoot, "the resurrection of Christ, compared with some firs”