[MYM] 31.0 The Death of Lazarus and Yeshua Brought him to Life

John 11 marks a turning point in Yeshua’s public ministry. He had already performed many miracles revealing His divine power, but the raising of Lazarus stands as the climactic “sign” before His own death and resurrection. Lazarus, along with his sisters Mary and Martha, lived in Bethany, a village near Jerusalem. They were close friends of Yeshua, and their household often hosted Him.

At this point, Yeshua had withdrawn from Judea because of growing hostility from the Jewish leaders (John 10:31–39). When He received news that Lazarus was sick, He deliberately delayed two days before going to Bethany. His delay was not neglect but purposeful — to reveal God’s glory and to strengthen the disciples’ faith (John 11:4, 15).

Theologically, this account fulfills the theme introduced in John’s Gospel: that Yeshua is the Resurrection and the Life, and those who believe in Him will live even if they die. The miracle of Lazarus directly demonstrates this truth.

By the time Yeshua arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had already been dead four days — well beyond the Jewish belief that the soul lingered near the body for three days. Martha went out to meet Yeshua, expressing both grief and faith: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” (John 11:21). Yeshua responded with one of His greatest declarations: “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live.” (v. 25–26).

Mary then approached Yeshua, weeping, and He was deeply moved. At the tomb, Yeshua wept — showing His full compassion and humanity (v. 35). After commanding the stone to be rolled away, Martha hesitated, reminding Him that Lazarus had been dead four days. Yeshua reminded her of faith and God’s glory.

He prayed aloud to the Father so the crowd would believe that God had sent Him. Then, with a loud voice, He cried, “Lazarus, come forth!” (v. 43). Instantly, the man who had died emerged from the tomb, wrapped in burial cloths. This miracle was undeniable and public — many witnesses saw it.

The raising of Lazarus produced two opposite reactions. Many believed in Yeshua as the Messiah, but others reported the event to the Pharisees and chief priests, who feared His growing influence. The Sanhedrin convened and decided that Yeshua must die, reasoning that if He continued performing such miracles, “everyone will believe in Him” (John 11:48). The high priest Caiaphas prophesied unknowingly that Yeshua would die “for the nation,” signifying the redemptive purpose of His death (v. 50–52).

As a result, Yeshua withdrew temporarily to the wilderness near Ephraim until the appointed time of Passover (v. 54). Yet His fame spread even more. In John 12:9–11, large crowds came not only to see Yeshua but also Lazarus, the living proof of His power over death. The chief priests even plotted to kill Lazarus, because many Jews were believing in Yeshua on account of him.