Topical Bible: Persecution of Lazarus

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The account of Lazarus, particularly his resurrection by Jesus, is a significant event in the New Testament, found in the Gospel of John. Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, lived in Bethany, a village near Jerusalem. His resurrection is recorded in John 11:1-44, where Jesus raises him from the dead after being in the tomb for four days. This miraculous event not only demonstrated Jesus' power over death but also set the stage for the subsequent persecution of Lazarus.

Biblical Account

The resurrection of Lazarus is a pivotal moment in the ministry of Jesus, as it foreshadows His own resurrection and serves as a catalyst for the events leading to His crucifixion. In John 11:25-26 , Jesus declares, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die." This statement underscores the theological significance of the miracle, affirming Jesus' divine authority and the promise of eternal life for believers.

Reaction of the Jewish Leaders

The raising of Lazarus from the dead had a profound impact on the people and the religious leaders of the time. Many Jews who witnessed the miracle believed in Jesus, as noted in John 11:45 : "Therefore many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in Him." However, this event also intensified the hostility of the Jewish leaders towards Jesus. They perceived His growing influence as a threat to their authority and the stability of their relationship with the Roman occupiers.

In John 11:47-48 , the chief priests and Pharisees convened a council, saying, "What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation." This fear of losing power and provoking Roman intervention led to their decision to plot Jesus' death, as recorded in John 11:53 : "So from that day on they plotted to kill Him."

Persecution of Lazarus

The threat posed by Lazarus did not end with his resurrection. In John 12:9-11 , it is revealed that the chief priests also plotted to kill Lazarus: "Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews learned that Jesus was there, and they came not only for Jesus, but also to see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were deserting them and believing in Jesus."

Lazarus became a living testimony to the power of Jesus, and his very existence was a challenge to the religious authorities. His resurrection was undeniable proof of Jesus' divine authority, leading many to believe in Jesus as the Messiah. The chief priests' plan to kill Lazarus highlights the extent of their desperation to suppress the burgeoning Christian movement and maintain their control.

Significance in Early Christianity

The persecution of Lazarus is emblematic of the broader persecution faced by early Christians. It illustrates the lengths to which the religious leaders were willing to go to protect their power and the status quo. Lazarus' experience serves as a reminder of the cost of discipleship and the opposition that followers of Christ may encounter.

The account of Lazarus' persecution also emphasizes the transformative power of Jesus' miracles and teachings. Despite the threats and plots against him, Lazarus' account continued to inspire faith and courage among early Christians. His resurrection and the subsequent persecution he faced are a testament to the enduring impact of Jesus' ministry and the unwavering faith of His followers.

Nave's Topical Index

John 12:10
But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;
Nave's Topical Index

Library

"Lazarus, Come Forth"
... seemed to have dismissed the message from His mind; for He did not speak of Lazarus. ...
The Saviour had warned His disciples of trials, losses, and persecution. ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 58 lazarus come forth.htm

Demonstration xxi. --Of Persecution.
... Jesus raised to life the son of the widow, as well as Lazarus and the ... in the West,
in the days of Diocletian there came great affliction and persecution to the ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration xxi of persecution.htm

Climbing Towards the Climax.
... And the reason is the violence of the persecution by the national leaders. ... The illness
and death of Lazarus draws Jesus back to a suburb of Jerusalem, Bethany. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/climbing towards the climax.htm

Verily I Say unto You, it is Difficult for a Rich Man to Enter The ...
... and brothers, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecution;
[11] and ... in splendour: [2013] and there was a poor man named Lazarus, and [16 ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xxix verily i say.htm

The Contrast.
... Next, there comes a thought of comfort from the story of the beggar Lazarus. ... be
comforted; that all who have borne hunger and thirst, and persecution, or loss ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon xxxvi the contrast.htm

Table of Contents
... A Penitent Heart, the Best New Year's Gift. [101]55. Persecution Every Christian's
Lot. [102]34. ... On Regeneration. [108]39. The Resurrection of Lazarus. [109]15. ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/table of contents.htm

The Ugly Thread in the Weaving.
... of a thirty-eight-year-old infirmity leads to outspoken persecution, to a ... The Lazarus
incident arouses their opposition to the highest pitch.[85] This is ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/the ugly thread in the.htm

Psalm LXX.
... Truly when the Scripture was speaking of persecution, it said, "Like gold in a furnace
it hath proved ... "O God, aid Thou me." Most suitably also Lazarus is said ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxx.htm

The Thirty ??ons are not Typified by the Fact that Christ was ...
... day long" is put for all this time during which we suffer persecution, and are ... Then,
when He had raised Lazarus from the dead, and plots were formed against ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxii the thirty aeons are.htm

Priestly Plottings
... But after the resurrection of Lazarus they decided that only by His death could
His fearless denunciations ... His life had been one of persecution and insult. ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 59 priestly plottings.htm