The Story of Lazarus and His Sisters in John 11
The story of Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha, is found in John 11:1-44. The passage begins by introducing Lazarus as "a certain one ailing, Lazarus, from Bethany, of the village of Mary and Martha her sister" [1]. Bethany, a village near Jerusalem, is identified as the home of the siblings [2].
The narrative highlights Jesus' close relationship with the family, noting that "Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus" [8, 9]. This affection is evident in the sisters' decision to send a message to Jesus when Lazarus falls ill, saying, "Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick" [5]. Despite receiving this urgent message, Jesus delays his journey to Bethany by two days, stating that Lazarus' sickness is "not unto death, but for the glory of God" [11].
Upon arriving at Bethany, Jesus meets Martha, who has come out to greet him. Their conversation reveals Martha's faith in Jesus as the Messiah and her understanding of his power over death [6]. Martha's statement, "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died" (John 11:21), is met with Jesus' assurance that "thy brother shall rise again" (John 11:23). Jesus then declares himself "the resurrection, and the life" (John 11:25), a claim that underscores his divine authority.
The narrative also highlights the different personalities of the sisters. Martha is depicted as active and concerned with serving Jesus, while Mary is shown as more contemplative, sitting at Jesus' feet and anointing him with perfume [3, 4]. When Mary meets Jesus, her grief and devotion are palpable, and Jesus is "deeply moved" by her sorrow (John 11:33).
The raising of Lazarus is a pivotal moment in the narrative, demonstrating Jesus' power over death and his identity as the Son of God. The miracle is seen as a testament to Jesus' love for the family and his ability to bring life out of death [7]. The event also has significant consequences, as it sparks the Pharisees' determination to put Jesus to death (John 11:47-53).
The story of Lazarus and his sisters has been interpreted in various ways throughout history. Some see it as an example of Jesus' compassion and power, while others view it as a demonstration of his divinity [7, 9]. The narrative has also been seen as highlighting the different aspects of Christian discipleship, with Martha representing active service and Mary representing contemplative devotion [3, 4].
The story's significance extends beyond its immediate context, as it has been used in various theological and liturgical contexts throughout history. The raising of Lazarus has been seen as a precursor to Jesus' own resurrection and a demonstration of his power over death [10].
Sources
- John “John 11:1 (YLT) — And there was a certain one ailing, Lazarus, from Bethany, of the village of Mary and Martha her sister--”
- 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”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Mary, Sister Of Lazarus — She and her sister Martha appear in (Luke 10:40) as receiving Christ in their house. Mary sat listening eagerly for every word that fell from the divine Teacher. She had chosen that good part, the "one thing needful." The same character shows itself in the history of (John 11:1) ... Her grief was deeper, but less active. Her first thought, when she saw the Teacher in whose power and love she that trusted, was one of complaint. But the great joy and love which her brother's return to life called up in her poured themselves out in larger measur”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Martha — (a lady), the sister of Lazarus and Mary. [[845]Lazarus] The facts recorded in Luke 10 and John 11 indicate a character devout after the customary Jewish type of devotion, sharing in Messianic hopes and accepting Jesus as the Christ. When she first comes before us, (Luke 10:38) her spirit is "cumbered with much serving," is "careful and troubled about many things." Her love, though imperfect in its form, is yet recognized as true, and she has the distinction of being one whom Jesus loved. (John 11:5) Her position is obviously that of the elder sister the head”
- John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 11:3: Therefore his sisters sent unto him,.... Both the sisters of Lazarus, Mary and Martha, sent to Jesus; they did not go themselves, being women, and the place where Jesus was, was at some distance; and besides, it was necessary they should abide at home, to attend their brother in his sickness, and therefore they sent a messenger, or messengers to Christ, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick; for it seems that Lazarus was in a very singular manner loved by Christ, as man, as John the beloved disciple was; and this is the rather put into the message by the s”
- John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on John 11 (introduction): Account of the sickness of Lazarus, Joh 11:1. His sisters Martha and Mary send for Christ, Joh 11:2. Our Lord's discourse with his disciples on this sickness and consequent death, Joh 11:3-16. He arrives at Bethany four days after the burying of Lazarus, Joh 11:17, Joh 11:18. Martha meets Christ - their conversation, Joh 11:19-27. She returns and Mary goes out to meet him, in great distress, Joh 11:28-33. Christ comes to the grave - his conversation there, Joh 11:34-42. He raises Lazarus from the dead, Joh 11:43-46. The priests and Pharisees, hearing of t”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 7: Augustine — Homilies on John — CHAPTER XI. 1--54. (part 5): this lesson clear already, we shall not go into any detailed exposition, so as to take up more thoroughly the necessary points. "Now a certain man was sick, [named] Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and Martha, his sisters." In the previous lesson you remember that the Lord escaped from the hands of those who sought to stone Him, and went away beyond Jordan, where John baptized.(4) When the Lord therefore had taken up His abode there, Lazarus fall sick in Bethany, which was a town lying close to Jerusalem. 5. "But Mar”
- John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 11:5: Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus--what a picture!--one that in every age has attracted the admiration of the whole Christian Church. No wonder that those miserable skeptics who have carped at the ethical system of the Gospel, as not embracing private friendships in the list of its virtues, have been referred to the Saviour's peculiar regard for this family as a triumphant refutation, if such were needed.”
- John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 11:5: Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. Not only with an everlasting love, a love of complacency and delight, an unchangeable one, and which never varies, nor will ever end, with which he loves all his people alike; but with a very great human affection, and which was very singular and peculiar to them: these were the intimate friends, and familiar acquaintance of Christ, whom he often visited, at whose house he frequently was when in those parts; they were very hospitable to him; they kindly received him into their houses, and generously entertained him, a”
- John (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on John 11 (introduction): In this chapter we have the history of that illustrious miracle which Christ wrought a little before his death - the raising of Lazarus to life, which is recorded only by this evangelist; for the other three confine themselves to what Christ did in Galilee, where he resided most, and scarcely ever carried their history into Jerusalem till the passion-week: whereas John's memoirs relate chiefly to what passed at Jerusalem; this passage therefore was reserved for his pen. Some suggest that, when the other evangelists wrote, Lazarus was alive, and it would”
- John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 11:6: When he had heard therefore that he was sick,.... Though Christ had heard that Lazarus was sick, and by such good hands, a message being sent him by his sisters, to acquaint him with it; and though he had such a very great love for him, and the whole family, yet he did not go directly to him, and to his assistance: but he abode two days still in the same place where he was; at Bethabara, beyond Jordan; this he did to try the faith and patience of the sisters of Lazarus, and that the miracle of raising him from the dead might be the more manifest, and his own glory mig”