Lazarus

• ANCIENT SOURCES: see Lazarus (sources)
• SCHOLARLY AND FICTIONAL WORKS: see Lazarus (works)

Lazarus was, according to Christian tradition, a follower of Jesus of Nazareth, the brother of Martha and Mary.

Overview

Lazarus is mentioned in the Gospel of John as a friend of Jesus who was miraculously resurrected by him (see the Raising of Lazarus). Lazarus was the brother of Martha and Mary, and all were residents of Bethany.

According to the Gospel of John, Lazarus was the one who "six days before the Passover" and before the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem hosted the banquet in his house at Bethany when his sister Mary anointed Jesus' feet provoking the reaction of Judas Iscariot (see Anointing at Bethany). In Mark and Matthew, on the other hand, the dinner happened after the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, the host was "Simon the leper" and an unnamed woman anointed Jesus.

The Gospel of John also suggests that there was a Plot to Kill Lazarus by the High Priests, but does not say if it was carried out.

Lazarus is mentioned, however, only in John 11 and 12. Outside of those two chapters, there is no further mention of him.

In the Gospel of Luke a certain Lazarus is mentioned (Luke 16:20ff) in Jesus' story of the death of the rich man and Lazarus and their interaction in Hades. There is, however, no reason to equate the Lazarus of Luke with the Lazarus made famous in the Gospel of John.

Lazarus in ancient sources

• See Lazarus (sources)

Lazarus in Scholarship

• See Lazarus (works)

Few scholars have adopted the position of Ben Witherington III that suggests that Lazarus is the 'Beloved Disciple'. There is scant evidence for such a position. Indeed, few scholars are willing to say much about Lazarus at all given the paucity of evidence in the Gospels and given the fact that the Gospels are not interested in the life of Lazarus apart from its intersection with Jesus.

Lazarus in Fiction

• See Lazarus (works)

The figure of Lazarus has figured fairly prominently in works of fiction.

Besides those works that directly refer to the biblical Lazarus, there are other works that simply use his name or allude to his figure as the launch pad for various projects having nothing to do with the gospel narrative. Such volumes as Waking Lazarus (2006) by T.L. Hines, The Lazarus Vendetta (2004) by Robert Ludlum, and The Lazarus Effect (1983) by Frank Herbert and Bill Ransom have utilized the reference to the biblical character in the broadest of outlines. Similar examples are found in music (Lazarus [2010] by Travie McCoy) and cinema (The Lazarus Project [2008] by John Glenn). Lazarus seems to fascinate the general public even if it has no interest in the biblical story particularly because of his status as one 'raised from the dead'.

Related categories

• Jesus of Nazareth (subject)

External links

• Wikipedia