The story of Lazarus described in John 11:1-44 tells us that Jesus has power over life and death. Significantly, Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha were close friends of Jesus.

Jesus learns that Lazarus of Bethany is gravely ill and that his sisters require his presence and assistance. Jesus delays visiting them for two days, knowing full well that he can perform a miracle and restore Lazarus to life. The disciples warned Jesus about going back to Judea, as previously the Jews had tried to stone Him there. 

Jesus intends to travel to Bethany and tells his disciples that Lazarus’s “sickness won't end in death.” He knows that Lazarus’s illness and death “happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” (John 11:4). 

Upon seeing Lazarus lying dead in the tomb, “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). Then, Jesus raised His friend from the dead by calling out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out” (John 11:43). Lazarus emerges from the tomb while still wearing his grave clothes.

The central message in the story is contained in Jesus’s words to Lazarus’s sister Mary when He says:

“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25)

‍

The story of the raising of Lazarus is important, as it clearly demonstrates that Jesus was no ordinary prophet. 

Bethany was close to Jerusalem, where many Jewish leaders (the Pharisees and Chief Priests) were plotting to destroy Jesus. From a historical perspective, the story is significant as it raises Jesus’s profile among the Jews.

The miracle of Lazarus showed the people of Judea that Jesus had power over life and death. It also set in motion the plot to kill Jesus by the Pharisees and chief priests who were envious of His charisma and supernatural talents. 

The resurrection of Lazarus is the first of many significant Biblical events, which moves Jesus Christ closer to His own Crucifixion, death, and resurrection. This was all a part of God’s plan. 

This miracle convinced many people that Jesus was the genuine Lord and Savior. It also showed that God’s promises to us were genuine.  

A Bible study of the resurrection of Lazarus shows us the power that Jesus Christ has in His famous words to Mary. He says, “I am the resurrection and the life.”

The resurrection of Lazarus — and later Jesus himself — gives Christians a glimpse of God’s incredible power to restore life. This includes God’s promise of eternal life and salvation.

There are two people names Lazarus in the Bible. First, there’s the dead man who is restored to life. Then you have a leper named Lazarus who appears in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 16:19-31) in the parable about the rich man and the poor man. 

The leper Lazarus, who dies from illness and poverty, is resurrected in Heaven and carried to Abraham’s side. God rewards both, and both are given eternal life. 

Luke’s Gospel also references resurrection from the dead. In this section, Abraham tells the rich man (who died and is in Hell) that those who “do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced, even if someone rises from the dead” (Luke: 16:31). 

It isn't surprising that the name Lazarus is a Greek form of the Hebrew name Eleazar, which also means "God has helped.”