Jesus answers that question in John 11:4. Why Didn't Jesus Heal Lazarus Right Away? When He did arrive at Bethany, He found Lazarus had died. When Jesus told His disciples they were going to Bethany, they questioned Him because the Jews sought to stone Him during His previous visit. He lingered where he was for two more days. In their message to Him, they said, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” Jesus, after he received the news about Lazarus, did what we consider a peculiar thing.

We discover in John 11:1 that Lazarus was ill, which prompted Martha and Mary to send for Jesus. It is safe to say Lazarus and his sisters were beloved friends. Jesus was fond of them and loved them dearly. John 11:5 tells us, “Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.” The word for “loved” used here is agape. Including the accounts listed above in John, the Bible tells us Jesus visited their home on several occasions ( Matthew 21:17, 26:6 Mark 11:1, 11-12, 14:3 Luke 19:29, and 24:50). Lazarus was brother to Martha and Mary, and their family lived in Bethany, which was located in Judea, south of the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem. The major portion of the well-known and stunning miracle found in the narrative about Lazarus is recounted in John 11:1-43, with further mentions of Lazarus found in John 12:1-2, 9-10, and 17. Jesus and Lazarus together attract the attention of many Jews and the narrator state that the chief priests consider having Lazarus put to death because so many people have come to believe in Jesus on account of his raising Lazarus. Six days before the Passover on which Jesus is crucified, Jesus returns to Bethany and Lazarus attends a supper that Martha, his sister, serves. Lazarus is mentioned again in the Gospel of John chapter 12. Jesus said to them, 'Take off the grave clothes and let him go.' When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come out!' The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen and a cloth around his face. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.' Then Jesus looked up and said: 'Father, I thank you that you have heard me. To which Jesus responds, 'Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?' After that, Jesus asks for the stone of the grave to be removed, but Martha interjects that there will be a smell.

Then, after asking where he was buried, the shortest verse in the four Gospels, and the entire Bible is found - Jesus wept. Upon seeing their grief and weeping, Jesus is deeply moved. Upon entering the village, Jesus is met by Mary and the people who have come to console her. The only other time this happens in the entire gospel is in the explanation the author of the Gospel gives for writing his Gospel at the very end. I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world', is only the second time (after Nathanael) that someone declares Jesus as Son of God and the first time someone equates him as 'Messiah' and 'Son of God' together. Martha's affirmation that she does indeed believe, 'Yes, Lord. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Jesus assures Martha that her brother will rise again and states: 'I am the resurrection and the life. Before they enter the town, Martha, Lazarus' sister, comes to meet Jesus and tells him: 'if you had been here, my brother would not have died'. When they arrive in Bethany, Lazarus has been dead and buried for four days. The disciples are afraid of returning to Judea, but Jesus says: 'Our friend Lazarus is asleep, but I am going to awaken him.' when the apostles misunderstand, he clarifies, 'Lazarus is dead, and for your sake, I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe.' Jesus then delays his departure for two days. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it.' Jesus tells his followers: 'This sickness will not end in death. Bible Story of Lazarus Raised from the DeadĪccording to John, Jesus receives a message that Lazarus is ill, and his two sisters seek his help. Martha, Mary’s sister, complained to Jesus that her sister needed to help her in the kitchen ( Luke 10:38-42). His sister, Mary, would sit at the Master’s feet and listen to his words. Jesus had previously visited the three siblings and had enjoyed the family’s hospitality.

Bible story christ weeping for lazarus