Later, six days before the Passover, at a feast in some home in Bethany where Martha served, Lazarus sat at table as one of the guests, when his sister Mary anointed the feet of Jesus ( John 12:1-3). As a result many Jews believed on Jesus, but others went and told the Pharisees, and a council was therefore called to hasten the decree of the Master's death ( John 11:45-53). In the absence of Jesus, Lazarus was taken sick, died, and was buried, but, after having lain in the grave four days, was brought back to life by the Saviour ( John 11:3, 14, 17, 43, 44). As intimated by the number of condoling friends from the city, and perhaps from the costly ointment used by Mary, the family was probably well-to-do. All three were especially beloved by Jesus ( John 11:5), and at their home He more than once, and probably often, was entertained ( Luke 10:38-41 John 11). He was the brother of Martha and Mary ( John 11:1, 2 see also Luke 10:38-41). The home of the Lazarus mentioned in John 11:1 was Bethany. The name was common among the Jews, and is given to two men in the New Testament who have nothing to do with each other. Laz'-a-rus (Lazaros, an abridged form of the Hebrew name Eleazar, with a Greek termination): Means "God has helped." In Septuagint and Josephus are found the forms Eleazar, and Eleazaros. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia LAZARUS Our Savior plainly teaches us, in this parable, that both the friends and the foes of God know and begin to experience their doom immediately after death, and that it is in both cases unchangeable and eternal. Their state in this life was greatly in contrast with their real character before God, which was revealed in the amazing changes of their condition at death, Luke 16:19-31. The other described as selfindulgent rather than vicious or criminal was living without God in the enjoyment of every earthly luxury. The one, though poor and sorely afflicted, was a child of God. The helpless beggar who lay at the rich man's gate in one of Christ's most solemn and instructive parables. Happy are they who, in view of their own death, or that of friends, can know that they are safe in Him who says, "I am the resurrection and the life " and, "because I live, ye shall live also."Ģ. The narrative displays Christ as a tender and compassionate friend, weeping for and with those he loved, and at the same time as the Prince of life, beginning his triumph over death and the grave. Our Savior had a high regard for the family, and often visited them and when Lazarus was dangerously ill, word was sent to Christ, "Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick." The Savior reached Bethany after he had lain four days in his grave, and restored him to life by a word, "Lazarus, come forth." This public and stupendous miracle drew so many to Christ, that his enemies sought to put both him and Lazarus to death, John 11:1-57 12:1-11. A friend and disciple of Christ, brother of Martha and Mary, with whom he resided at Bethany near Jerusalem. The use of lazaretto and lazarhouse for the leper hospitals then founded in all parts of western Christendom, no less than that of lazaroni for the mendicants of Italian towns, is an indication of the effect of the parable upon the mind of Europe in the Middle Ages, and thence upon its later speech.ġ. The leper of the Middle Ages appears as a lazzaro. The name of a poor man in the well-known parable of ( Luke 16:19-31) The name of Lazarus has been perpetuated in an institution of the Christian Church.All the circumstances of John 11 and 12 point to wealth and social position above the average. 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. The language of ( John 11:1) implies that the sisters were the better known. John, and that records little more than the facts of his death and resurrection. ( John 11:1) All that we know of him is derived from the Gospel of St. Lazarus of Bethany, the brother of Martha and Mary.( whom God helps), another form of the Hebrew name Eleazar.
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