Theological Significance of Lazarus' Death in John 11
Theological Significance of Lazarus' Death in John 11
The story of Lazarus' death and resurrection in John 11 is a pivotal narrative in the Gospel of John, showcasing Jesus' power over death and his divine identity. The passage begins with Jesus receiving news of Lazarus' illness: "Lord, behold, he whom you love is ill" (John 11:3, BSB). Jesus responds by saying, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified thereby" (John 11:4, KJV) [7].
The narrative establishes that Lazarus is "of Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister Martha" (John 11:1, BSB), indicating a close relationship between Jesus and the family [3]. Jesus' statement about Lazarus sleeping is initially misunderstood by the disciples, who think he is referring to literal sleep (John 11:12-13) [1]. Jesus clarifies, "Lazarus is dead" (John 11:14, Geneva1599), demonstrating his omniscience [2].
The death of Lazarus serves as a catalyst for Jesus to reveal his divine power. Jesus says, "I go that I may wake him out of sleep" (John 11:11, KJV), illustrating his authority over life and death [5]. The miracle of raising Lazarus is seen as a demonstration of Jesus' glory, as he states, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified thereby" (John 11:4) [7]. The raising of Lazarus is also seen as a fulfillment of Jesus' statement, "I am the resurrection and the life" (John 11:25).
The narrative highlights the significance of Lazarus' death in relation to Jesus' own impending death. The miracle sets in motion the events leading to Jesus' crucifixion, as "the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, 'What are we doing? For this man is performing many signs'" (John 11:47, BSB). The raising of Lazarus is a turning point in the narrative, demonstrating Jesus' power and authority, and ultimately contributing to the plot against him.
The theological significance of Lazarus' death is also understood through the lens of the Jewish concept of sleep as a metaphor for death [4]. Adam Clarke notes that the expression "falling asleep" was commonly used among the Jews to signify death, reflecting their belief in the immortality of the soul and the resurrection of the body [4]. The narrative thus underscores Jesus' role as the giver of life and his power to overcome death.
The various interpretations of the passage highlight the complexity of its theological significance. John Gill notes that Jesus' statement, "This sickness is not unto death," indicates that Lazarus' death is not permanent, but rather a temporary state that will be reversed through Jesus' intervention [6]. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown comment on the significance of Jesus' statement, "Lazarus is dead," highlighting the contrast between the divine and human perspectives on death [9].
The story of Lazarus has been interpreted in various ways throughout Christian tradition. Charles Hodge's Systematic Theology reflects on the broader implications of the narrative, discussing the scope of redemption and the identity of those who are the objects of Christ's salvation [8]. The narrative has also been seen as a demonstration of Jesus' compassion and love for his friends, as evident in his emotional response to Lazarus' death (John 11:33-35).
The death and resurrection of Lazarus serve as a powerful symbol of Jesus' authority over death and his role as the giver of life. As the narrative concludes, Jesus stands before the tomb, commanding Lazarus to come forth, and "the dead man came out" (John 11:44, BSB). This miraculous event underscores the theological significance of Lazarus' death, highlighting Jesus' divine power and his ability to overcome even death itself. The narrative ultimately points to the greater reality of Jesus' own resurrection and the hope of eternal life for those who believe in him.
Sources
- John “John 11:13 (BSB) — They thought that Jesus was talking about actual sleep, but He was speaking about the death of Lazarus.”
- John “John 11:14 (Geneva1599) — Then saide Iesus vnto them plainely, Lazarus is 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”
- John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on John 11:11: Lazarus sleepeth - It was very common among the Jews to express death by sleep; and the expression, falling asleep - sleeping with their fathers, etc., were in great use among them. The Hebrews probably used this form of speech to signify their belief in the immortality of the soul, and the resurrection of the body. It is certain that our Lord received no intimation of Lazarus's death from any person, and that he knew it through that power by which he knows all things.”
- John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 11:11: Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go that I may wake him out of sleep--Illustrious title! "Our friend Lazarus." To Abraham only is it accorded in the Old Testament, and not till after his death, (Ch2 20:7; Isa 41:8), to which our attention is called in the New Testament (Jam 2:23). When Jesus came in the flesh, His forerunner applied this name, in a certain sense, to himself (Joh 3:29); and into the same fellowship the Lord's chosen disciples are declared to have come (Joh 15:13-15). "The phrase here employed, "our friend Lazarus," means more than "he ”
- John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 11:4: When Jesus heard that,.... That his friend Lazarus was sick, he said; either to his disciples, or to the messenger or messengers that brought the account to him, and that on purpose to yield some relief to the afflicted family when it should be reported to them: this sickness is not unto death; it was to issue in death, but not in death which was to continue, or under which Lazarus was to continue till the general resurrection; for though he should die, yet he should be so quickly restored again to life, that it scarcely deserved the name of death. The Jews distingu”
- John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 11:4: When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death--to result in death. but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified thereby--that is, by this glory of God. (See Greek.) Remarkable language this, which from creature lips would have been intolerable. It means that the glory of GOD manifested in the resurrection of dead Lazarus would be shown to be the glory, personally and immediately, of THE SON.”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 107: these passages as teaching the salvation of all men, if by all in this connection we must understand all human beings. But why limit the word to all men? Why not include angels and even irrational creatures? The answer is, because the Bible teaches that Christ came to save men, and neither angels nor irrational animals. This is only saying that all must be limited to the objects of redemption. Who they are is to be learned not from these general terms, but from the general teaching of Scripture. The all who are to he united in one harmon”
- John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 11:14: Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead--Says BENGEL beautifully, "Sleep is the death of the saints, in the language of heaven; but this language the disciples here understood not; incomparable is the generosity of the divine manner of discoursing, but such is the slowness of men's apprehension that Scripture often has to descend to the more miserable style of human discourse; compare Mat 16:11."”