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In this lesson:
Jesus' seventh and greatest miracle! Study Tip: As you study, scroll back and forth between the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation" below. |
"Lazarus, come forth."
By an unknown artist. |
The Gospel According to St. John
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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John 11:38-46
Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead 38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. 39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. 40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. 43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. 45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. 46 But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done. |
Margin notes:
"Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?" (11:40) - "Didn't I tell you, if you believe you would see the glory of God?" "Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me." (11:41) - "God always hears the prayers of His Son, and if the Son of God is formed in me the Father will always hear my prayers." ("My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio.) "That they may believe that thou hast sent me." (11:42) - Jesus resurrected Lazarus to glorify God (John 11:4), show His mastery over life and death, prove He is the Messiah, give faith to unbelievers, and to strengthen the faith of those who already believed. "He cried with a loud voice." (11:43) - "He called out in a loud voice." Not so God could hear, but to catch the crowd's attention so they could be witnesses to the miracle He was about to perform. "Lazarus, come forth." (11:43) - Means, "Lazarus, come out." "He that was dead came forth." (11:44) - Jesus also resurrected Jairus' daughter (Mark 5:38-42; Luke 8:49-56) and the widow's son (Luke 7:12-15). He also empowered His twelve disciples to raise the dead (Matthew 10:7-8). "Bound hand and foot with graveclothes." (11:44) - In biblical times, the deceased were wrapped round and round with long narrow strips of cloth. "His face was bound about with a napkin." (11:44) - The burial party would tie a cloth napkin around the deceased face and head. "Loose him." (11:44) - "Untie him." |
New Living Translation
John 11:38-46
38 Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance.
39 "Roll the stone aside," Jesus told them.
But Martha, the dead man's sister, protested, "Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible."
40 Jesus responded, "Didn't I tell you that you would see God's glory if you believe?"
41 So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, "Father, thank you for hearing me.
42 You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me."
43 Then Jesus shouted, "Lazarus, come out!"
44 And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, "Unwrap him and let him go!"
The Plot to Kill Jesus
45 Many of the people who were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen.
46 But some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
38 Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance.
39 "Roll the stone aside," Jesus told them.
But Martha, the dead man's sister, protested, "Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible."
40 Jesus responded, "Didn't I tell you that you would see God's glory if you believe?"
41 So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, "Father, thank you for hearing me.
42 You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me."
43 Then Jesus shouted, "Lazarus, come out!"
44 And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, "Unwrap him and let him go!"
The Plot to Kill Jesus
45 Many of the people who were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen.
46 But some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days." (11:39)
"And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him." (11:43-45)
"And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him." (11:43-45)
Today's Question:
1. How did witnesses react when the resurrected Lazarus stepped out of his tomb? (11:44)
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1. How did witnesses react when the resurrected Lazarus stepped out of his tomb? (11:44)
If you know anyone interested in receiving free Bible lessons, let us know.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. There was an air of skepticism in the crowd as they stood in front of Lazarus' fresh grave. How could Jesus raise the dead? Jesus ordered that the burial stone be removed from the grave and people held their noses (11:39) in anticipation of what would happen next. As the crowd waited, many openly scoffed. Suddenly Lazarus, still wrapped in his burial clothes (11:44), emerged from the darkness of his tomb. People watched wide-eyed in shock and terror as the re-animated corpse stumbled into the sunlight. Some witnesses shook and cried. Others fell to their knees and prayed. The sound of screams, gasping, and wailing filled the air. Many covered their eyes; they could not bear to see the dead Lazarus walking again. Some grabbed their children and ran. A few brave witnesses approached Lazarus and with trembling hands removed his burial clothes (11:44).
Not only was Lazarus resurrected from the dead, but he was free of the disease that killed him. No one could deny that Jesus had resurrected Lazarus; even the Pharisees believed it (11:47). But the Pharisees also knew that if Jesus went unchallenged, their power and careers were over, so they plotted against Him.
Interesting note: Lazarus was thirty years old when he was resurrected. He eventually died at the age of sixty, having lived thirty years before his resurrection and thirty years after.
Application thought for the day:
What spiritual applications does the resurrection of Lazarus have for you?
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2026 evolke
© 2026 evolke