2976. Lazaros
Lexical Summary
Lazaros: Lazarus

Original Word: Λάζαρος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: Lazaros
Pronunciation: LAH-zah-ros
Phonetic Spelling: (lad'-zar-os)
KJV: Lazarus
NASB: Lazarus
Word Origin: [probably of Hebrew origin (H499 (אֶלעָזָר - Eleazar))]

1. Lazarus (i.e. Elazar), the name of two Israelites (one imaginary)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Lazarus.

Probably of Hebrew origin (El'azar); Lazarus (i.e. Elazar), the name of two Israelites (one imaginary) -- Lazarus.

see HEBREW El'azar

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
contr. of Heb. Elazar
Definition
Lazarus, the name of two Isr.
NASB Translation
Lazarus (15).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2976: Λάζαρος

Λάζαρος, Λαζαρου, (rabb. לַעְזָר, apparently the same as אֶלְעָזָר, whom God helps (cf. Philo, quis haeres § 12); according to others, equivalent to עֶזֶר לֹא, without help), Lazarus;

1. an inhabitant of Bethany, beloved by Christ and raised from the dead by him: John 11:1ff, ; .

2. an imaginary person, extremely poor and wretched: Luke 16:20, 23-25.

Topical Lexicon
Occurrences in the New Testament

Strong’s Greek 2976 appears fifteen times, designating two distinct individuals:
• Lazarus of Bethany (John 11:1, 2, 5, 11, 14, 43; John 12:1, 2, 9, 10, 17).
• Lazarus in the parable of the rich man (Luke 16:20, 23, 24, 25).

Lazarus of Bethany

A beloved friend of Jesus and brother to Mary and Martha, Lazarus lived in Bethany, a village less than two miles from Jerusalem (John 11:18). The narrative begins with his serious illness, progresses through his death and burial, and culminates in Christ’s public raising of him from the tomb.

Historical and Cultural Setting

First-century Bethany stood on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, making it a convenient lodging place for pilgrims attending the feasts in Jerusalem. Jewish custom required burial on the day of death; consequently Lazarus lay in the tomb four days when Jesus arrived (John 11:17). The presence of “many Jews” consoling the sisters (John 11:19) indicates that the family was respected and likely of some means.

The Significance of the Resurrection Miracle

The miracle functions as the climactic “sign” in the fourth Gospel, directly preceding the triumphal entry and the final Passover. Jesus declared, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies” (John 11:25-26). By calling, “Lazarus, come out!” (John 11:43), Christ demonstrated power over death itself, foreshadowing His own resurrection and affirming His deity.

Lazarus as a Witness to Christ

After the miracle, Lazarus became a living testimony that attracted the crowds: “The crowd that was with Him when He called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness” (John 12:17). His very existence drew people to Jesus (John 12:9), so much so that the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus as well (John 12:10-11). The episode reveals both the hardness of unbelief and the unstoppable advance of divine purpose.

Hostility from the Sanhedrin

John places the council’s decision to bring Jesus to trial immediately after Lazarus’s resurrection (John 11:45-53). The miracle thus serves as the pivotal catalyst for the final confrontation in Jerusalem, underscoring the cost of Jesus’ public ministry and the resolve of His opponents.

The Lazarus of the Parable

Luke 16:19-31 presents a poor beggar named Lazarus laid at the gate of a wealthy man. Upon death, the beggar is carried by angels to “Abraham’s bosom,” while the rich man finds himself in torment. From Hades he pleads, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water to cool my tongue” (Luke 16:24).

Eschatological Themes in Luke 16:19-31

1. Reversal of earthly fortunes: “Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here” (Luke 16:25).
2. Fixed destiny after death: “Between us and you a great chasm has been fixed” (Luke 16:26).
3. Sufficiency of Scripture: “They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them” (Luke 16:29).

The use of a personal name lends realism to the parable and heightens its moral force, emphasizing personal accountability and compassion for the poor.

Pastoral and Doctrinal Implications

• Assurance of resurrection life: The Bethany miracle provides concrete evidence that Jesus possesses life-giving authority.
• Encouragement amid grief: Believers face bereavement with hope, knowing that “the dead in Christ will rise” (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
• Stewardship and mercy: The parable warns against indifference to need and highlights eternal consequences for earthly choices.
• Sufficiency of revelation: Even a resurrection will not convince the hard-hearted if they reject Scripture.

Interrelation of the Two Lazarus Passages

While not the same person, both narratives converge thematically: a man named Lazarus dies, divine power or justice intervenes, and the event exposes human unbelief. Jesus’ explicit statement in Luke 16:31—“If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead”—finds historical validation when many still refuse to believe after Lazarus of Bethany is raised.

Later Tradition and Early Church Memory

Early Christian writers mention a possible episcopal ministry of Lazarus on Cyprus, though Scripture is silent on his later life. The Bethany home became an enduring place of pilgrimage. The parable’s Lazarus shaped Christian art and funeral liturgy, symbolizing the hope of paradise.

Key Lessons for Contemporary Believers

1. Christ’s lordship extends over physical death and spiritual destiny.
2. Hardened unbelief is not cured by miracles alone; it yields only to humble reception of God’s Word.
3. Earthly resources are entrusted for service to others, with eternal accountability.
4. Present suffering does not invalidate God’s love; ultimate comfort awaits those who trust in Him.

Forms and Transliterations
Λαζαρε Λάζαρε Λαζαρον Λάζαρον Λαζαρος Λάζαρος Lazare Lázare Lazaron Lázaron Lazaros Lázaros
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Englishman's Concordance
Luke 16:20 N-NMS
GRK: τις ὀνόματι Λάζαρος ἐβέβλητο πρὸς
NAS: named Lazarus was laid
KJV: beggar named Lazarus, which was laid
INT: certain by name Lazarus was laid at

Luke 16:23 N-AMS
GRK: μακρόθεν καὶ Λάζαρον ἐν τοῖς
NAS: far away and Lazarus in his bosom.
KJV: off, and Lazarus in his
INT: far and Lazarus in the

Luke 16:24 N-AMS
GRK: καὶ πέμψον Λάζαρον ἵνα βάψῃ
NAS: on me, and send Lazarus so
KJV: and send Lazarus, that he may dip
INT: and send Lazarus that he might dip

Luke 16:25 N-NMS
GRK: σου καὶ Λάζαρος ὁμοίως τὰ
NAS: and likewise Lazarus bad things;
KJV: and likewise Lazarus evil things: but
INT: of you and Lazarus likewise the [things]

John 11:1 N-NMS
GRK: τις ἀσθενῶν Λάζαρος ἀπὸ Βηθανίας
NAS: was sick, Lazarus of Bethany,
KJV: sick, [named] Lazarus, of
INT: a certain [man] sick Lazarus of Bethany

John 11:2 N-NMS
GRK: ὁ ἀδελφὸς Λάζαρος ἠσθένει
NAS: whose brother Lazarus was sick.
KJV: whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
INT: brother Lazarus was sick

John 11:5 N-AMS
GRK: καὶ τὸν Λάζαρον
NAS: Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
KJV: sister, and Lazarus.
INT: and Lazarus

John 11:11 N-NMS
GRK: λέγει αὐτοῖς Λάζαρος ὁ φίλος
NAS: to them, Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep;
KJV: Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but
INT: he says to them Lazarus friend

John 11:14 N-NMS
GRK: Ἰησοῦς παρρησίᾳ Λάζαρος ἀπέθανεν
NAS: to them plainly, Lazarus is dead,
KJV: unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
INT: Jesus plainly Lazarus died

John 11:43 N-VMS
GRK: μεγάλῃ ἐκραύγασεν Λάζαρε δεῦρο ἔξω
NAS: voice, Lazarus, come
KJV: voice, Lazarus, come
INT: loud he cried Lazarus come forth

John 12:1 N-NMS
GRK: ὅπου ἦν Λάζαρος ὃν ἤγειρεν
NAS: where Lazarus was, whom
KJV: Bethany, where Lazarus was which
INT: where was Lazarus whom raised

John 12:2 N-NMS
GRK: ὁ δὲ Λάζαρος εἷς ἦν
NAS: was serving; but Lazarus was one
KJV: served: but Lazarus was one
INT: and Lazarus one was

John 12:9 N-AMS
GRK: καὶ τὸν Λάζαρον ἴδωσιν ὃν
NAS: see Lazarus, whom
KJV: that they might see Lazarus also, whom
INT: also Lazarus they might see whom

John 12:10 N-AMS
GRK: καὶ τὸν Λάζαρον ἀποκτείνωσιν
NAS: planned to put Lazarus to death also;
KJV: they might put Lazarus also
INT: also Lazarus they might kill

John 12:17 N-AMS
GRK: ὅτε τὸν Λάζαρον ἐφώνησεν ἐκ
NAS: He called Lazarus out of the tomb
KJV: he called Lazarus out of
INT: when Lazarus he called out of

Strong's Greek 2976
15 Occurrences


Λάζαρε — 1 Occ.
Λάζαρον — 6 Occ.
Λάζαρος — 8 Occ.

2975
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