The life of Jesus · New Testament
The Story of the Raising of Lazarus
Jesus arrives four days after his friend Lazarus has died, weeps with Martha and Mary, and calls Lazarus out of the tomb; the miracle leads the authorities to plot his death.
Editorial text in English. Scripture is quoted from the version you choose; references stay the same in every version.
Introduction
In John’s Gospel, Jesus receives word that his friend Lazarus of Bethany is ill, but stays where he is two more days. When he arrives Lazarus has been in the tomb four days. To Martha he says, “I am the resurrection and the life.” John 11:1–6John 11:17–27
Jesus weeps with the mourners, then calls Lazarus out of the tomb. Many believe; the chief priests and Pharisees decide that Jesus must die. A few days later Mary anoints Jesus at a dinner where Lazarus is present. John 11:35John 11:43–44John 11:53John 12:1–3
Principal passages
People in this story
- Jesus The Story of Jesus
- Lazarus The Story of Lazarus
- Martha The Story of Martha
- Mary of Bethany The Story of Mary of Bethany
- Thomas The Story of Thomas
- Judas Iscariot The Story of Judas Iscariot
- Caiaphas
Places named
- Bethany, near Jerusalem John 11:1John 11:18
- Ephraim, near the wilderness John 11:54
Only places the passages name. Locations are not guessed.
The story, event by event
In the order Scripture presents them. Expand an event to read its passage here.
Lazarus is ill
Martha and Mary send word that Lazarus, whom Jesus loves, is ill. Jesus says the illness will not end in death but is for God’s glory, and stays two more days where he is.
People: Jesus, Lazarus, Martha, Mary of Bethany
Back to Judea
Jesus tells the disciples Lazarus has died and that they will go to him. The disciples remind him that he was nearly stoned there; Thomas says, “Let’s also go, that we may die with him.”
“I am the resurrection and the life”
Martha meets Jesus and says her brother would not have died if he had been there. Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life,” and she confesses that he is the Christ, the Son of God.
Jesus wept
Mary falls at Jesus’ feet with the same words as her sister. Seeing her and the mourners weeping, Jesus is deeply moved and troubled, and he weeps.
“Lazarus, come out!”
At the tomb Jesus tells them to remove the stone, prays aloud, and cries, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man comes out, bound in grave clothes, and Jesus says, “Free him, and let him go.”
The plot to kill Jesus
Many believe, but some report to the Pharisees. The council meets; Caiaphas says it is better for one man to die for the people. From that day they plan Jesus’ death, and he withdraws to Ephraim.
People: Jesus, Caiaphas
Dinner at Bethany
Six days before the Passover, at a dinner in Bethany, Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with costly perfume. The chief priests plan to kill Lazarus too, because many are believing in Jesus on his account.
Later in the Bible
Later passages that recall or interpret this story. They are not events within it.
- John 12:17–18 Later recollection — The crowd that witnessed the raising of Lazarus goes out to meet Jesus as he enters Jerusalem.
Connected themes
- Hope
Martha holds on to hope in the resurrection at her brother’s grave. John 11:24–27
- Resurrection
Jesus calls himself the resurrection and the life. John 11:25
Related life situations
- Grief and Loss
Jesus weeps with grieving sisters before he acts. John 11:33–35
Questions for study
Written by BibleKenya editors. They are not Scripture.
- Why does John tell us Jesus loved Martha, Mary and Lazarus (John 11:5) just before he delays?
- How do Martha and Mary each speak to Jesus, and how does he respond to each?
- What does Jesus’ weeping in John 11:35 add to the story?
- Why does the miracle lead the council to plan Jesus’ death (John 11:47-53)?
Reading plans
- The Gospel of John
Day eleven reads the raising of Lazarus. John 11:1–44
Use offline
Save this story on your device, then download the Bible books it uses in your version: John. The study keeps only its own notes and references; the Scripture comes from the books on your device, never a second copy.