The Death and Resurrection of Lazarus1Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. 3So the sisters sent word to Him, saying, "Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick." 4But when Jesus heard this, He said, "This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it." 5Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was. |
II. V.3__There is a sense of urgency in this verse. I suppose Lazarus had been sick for a while and was not expected to live. Nevertheless, they send for Jesus. The word used here for love is philo and not agapao. There is often a shade of different meaning in these words and they can be used interchangeably but notice the Lexicon definitions below.
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φιλέω (phileō 5368) 1.love [verb] -ed, -edst, -est, -eth to kiss, to love (Latin, amare), used of the more direct demonstration of regard; (hence,φίλος(philos 5384)a friend, is from φιλέω (phileō 5368) from φίω (phiō) or from πίλω (pilō) to press; φίλος (philos 5384) is he whom we embrace, or kiss. Again, φιλία (philia 5373) is friendship between men, but love when between the sexes), to love, considered in reference to a natural inclination, or an emotion (that is to say the passion of love) (elsewhere translated to kiss). [Note. — These two words are not used indiscriminately .ἀγαπάω (agapaō 25) never means to kiss; φιλέω (phileō5368) never means to acquiesce or cherish with reverence.φιλέω (phileō 5368) denotes the sense or passion of love, but in ἀγαπάω (agapaō 25) is implied the cause ο(o3588)fφιλέω.ἀγαπάω (phileō. agapaō 25) is to make much of a thing, to admire for some good and sufficient reason, but φιλέω (phileō 5368) denotes the love which springs naturally from the thing loved, even where no just cause of love exists. ἀγαπάω (agapaō 25) is never used of an improper love; φιλέω (phileō 5368)is. Hence, in the NTφιλέω (phileō 5368) is never used of man's love to God, butἀγαπάω (agapaō 25) always. Both words are used of God's love to man, ἀγαπάω (agapaō 25) when He is said to "Love the world" (Joh 3:16, etc.) and when He wishes men good, and seeks their salvation; and φίλέω (phileō5368) is affirmed of His love to His people who please Him (Joh 16:27, etc.) Again, φιλέω (phileō 5368) is used of Jesus' love for Lazarus (Joh 11:3,36); but in verse 5 the word is ἀγαπάω (agapaō 25) because there the sisters are included, and therefore this word was more correct. Again, we are commanded to love our enemies, etc., but here ἀγαπάω (agapaō 25) is used, never φιλέω (phileō 5368); love cannot be required in this case, though kindness and compassion are. Again, in Joh 21:15-17, in the first question Jesus uses ἀγαπάω (agapaō 25but Peter uses the wordφιλέω (phileō 5368) in his reply; this is repeated, and then Jesus uses Peter's word in the third question. Once more, to love (φιλέω (phileō 5368)) life, from an excessive desire to preserve it, and so to lose sight of the real object of living, is reproved by our Lord (Joh 12:25). "Whereas to love (ἀγαπάω (agapaō 25)) life, is to consult its real interest. Other examples may be traced out with much profit, for exampleMar 10:21.] 2.kiss [verb]-ed to love (used of the passion of love), to show one's love, hence, to kiss (elsewhere, love).
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IV. VV. 5-6___Now Jesus "Loved" A different "love" than above. It has been pointed out that it was this "love" of them that made Jesus tarry longer. Notice, He did not rush to the scene. Jesus had something greater in store for them.
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ἀγαπάω (agapaō 25) 1.love [verb] -ed, -edst, -est, -eth to regard (Latin, diligere) esteem (the principle of internal feeling of delectation and kindliness), to acquiesce with satisfaction, to cherish with reverence, to love, considered in reference to the tendency of the will (elsewhere translated beloved).
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Jesus Explains His Purpose
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7Then after this He said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again." 8The disciples said to Him, "Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You, and are You going there again?" 9Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10"But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him." 11This He said, and after that He said to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep." 12The disciples then said to Him, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover." 13Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was speaking of literal sleep. 14So Jesus then said to them plainly, "Lazarus is dead, 15and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let us go to him." 16Therefore Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, so that we may die with Him." |
I.
VV.7-8 ___If we read this carefully, the intention of Jesus to return
to Judea is considered to be a fool hardy act by the disciples. They
exclaim that the Jews are trying to kill him, so why is he going
there again?
II. VV.9-10__ This is the Master's way of saying to
His disciples that it is safe to return to Judea. The reason, His
hour had not come yet (VV. 9:4-5). Just as sure as there are twelve
hours in a day Jesus was that sure. As Lenski puts it: "to walk
and not stumble is to go on with the work and mission of God. To
stumble and stop is the end of our works."
III. VV. 11-14___
Jesus uses another figure. Instead of at first saying that our friend
is dead, Jesus simply says Lazarus has fallen asleep. Notice in
verse 14 Jesus uses the words "dead." The point to
this has already been stated in an early lesson. For Jesus, death "is
just a sleep." That is His choice of words. Jesus means that
death is not final. There are a few references in the Bible to the
death of a believer.
1. Precious in the sight of YHWH (Psa. 116.15).
2. Carried away by angles, Lk. 16:22.
3. Being in Paradise with Jesus, Lk. 23:43.
4. Going to a place with many dwelling places, Jn. 14:2.
5. A longed departure, Phil. 1:23; II Tim. 46.
6. To be with Christ__at home with the Lord, Phil. 1:23.
7. A far better gain, Phil. 1:21, 23.
8. A rest from labors, Rev. 14:13.
[It should be mentioned here that just because Jesus uses the word "sleep" for "death" this does not reinforce the doctrine of "soul sleep." While it is true the spirit does sleep to this world, it is alive in its own world (Lk. 16:19-31; 23:43; II Cor. 5:8 AND more).
VV.
15-16___ It is here that Jesus reassures His disciples and tells them
there is a greater purpose in the death of Lazarus. It is also in
this verse that the disciples realize they may be going to certain
death and yet must commit to the Lord even unto death.
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17So
when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb
four days. 18Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off;
19and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to console
them concerning their brother. 20Martha therefore, when she heard
that Jesus was coming, went to meet Him, but Mary stayed at the
house. |
I. VV. 17-18__This verse tells us that there was no way Lazarus was faking His death. Neither was the resurrection that was about to take place a fake. He had been in the tomb four days.
II. V. 19___There are a couple of things that are indicated here by "many of the Jews" at the home of Mary and Martha.
a. It may infer that Lazarus and his sisters were well thought of.
b. It may also mean that his funeral was a "big" funeral.
III. V. 20__Martha was showing extreme faith here. She hurried to Jesus with her brother already dead. Notice verse 22.
IV. VV. 21-22___Yes, Lazarus is dead, but even now she believes he can be raised.
V. VV. 23-27___ Jesus answers her and she mis-understands. Jesus tells her Lazarus will rise again and she thinks that Jesus is speaking of the general resurrection. There can be no doubt that Martha had "faith" in Jesus but here Jesus seeks to lead her to a more perfect faith. Jesus has something else in mind all this time. He is slowly but surely laying the ground work for another great miracle. Here the Lord Jesus identifies Himself as the "source" for the resurrection and even life itself. Martha must put her faith in Jesus as God.
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28When she had said this, she went away and called Mary her sister, saying secretly, "The Teacher is here and is calling for you." 29And when she heard it, she got up quickly and was coming to Him. 30Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha met Him. 31Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and consoling her, when they saw that Mary got up quickly and went out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. 32Therefore, when Mary came where Jesus was, she saw Him, and fell at His feet, saying to Him, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died." 33When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled, 34and said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to Him, "Lord, come and see." 35Jesus wept. 36So the Jews were saying, "See how He loved him!" 37But some of them said, "Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have kept this man also from dying?"
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I.
VV. 28-31__As close as Jesus was to this family, Mary, Martha, and
Lazarus, we can understand why He sent Martha to tell Mary that He
wished to see her apart from the crowds of mourners. This family had
tenderly cared for and befriended Jesus when it seems as if the whole
nation was against Him. (Lk, 10:38-42). Further, Mary was sympathetic
with the tragic end which would culminate the ministry of Jesus (John
11:1 and 12:1-18). Jesus wants to speak to His friends in private.
Mary hearing that Jesus was coming fled to Him. It is here that the
Jews who were in the house with Mary follow her to where Jesus
was.
II. VV. 32-37___When Mary meets Jesus she is crying and so
are the Jews who followed her out. She makes the same statement of
faith that Martha already made (V.35). The shortest verse in the
Bible and it is here where we see the real humanity of Jesus [also
see Rom.12:15]. There were other times when Jesus was visibly
troubled within because of sin.
1. He was "grieved" at the unbelief of the Jews (Mk. 3:5).
2. He was troubled at the last supper over the one who was about to betray Him (Jn.13:21).
3. He was troubled when the Greeks were brought to Him and He was made vividly aware of the cruel suffering He was about to endure (Jn. 12:27).
4. Soon He would shed tears of grief and sympathy for the rebellious people of Jerusalem (Lk. 19:41-44).
5. He knew the terrible grief that would be theirs and we also know that He wept many times when He prayed (Heb. 5:7-9).
But
as usual, there were some Jews in the crowd that knew Jesus could
heal a blind man yet it is implied here that they did not believe
Jesus might raise someone from the dead.
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38So
Jesus, again being deeply moved within, came to the tomb. Now it
was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. 39Jesus said,
"Remove the stone." Martha, the sister of the deceased,
said to Him, "Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for
he has been dead four days." 40Jesus said to her, "Did I
not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of
God?" 41So they removed the stone Then Jesus raised His eyes,
and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42"I
knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing
around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent
Me." |
I. V. 38___ We are once again told that Jesus was deeply moved as He came to the tomb.
II. V. 39. The stone covering the Tomb
As we may see by the above picture, to move the stone without someone noticing would be a feat indeed. This was the case with the burial of Jesus. With dozens of Roman guards on watch and under the threat of death if the body was removed, we are told to believe that someone slipped around and moved the stone in order to remove the body of Jesus without a single person noticing and reporting it. I am so sure!
For a brief moment, Martha seems to protest but it is on the basis of "what it might smell like."
III. VV. 40-42___Jesus once again cautions her about her faith. The stone was removed and Jesus prayed, not for His own purpose but so that those standing around Him might hear and realize the power of the Father expressed in the Son.
IV. VV. 43-44___It is hear that Jesus cries out and Lazarus comes back from the dead. Notice, he was wrapped in burial cloths requiring assistance to remove them. Compare this to Jesus and His burial cloths left in the tomb (Jn. 20:5).
V. VV. 45-47___Again we are told that many believed in Jesus but also the Pharisees have also been informed. Coupled with the "healing of the blind man" this miracle (sign) had to bother the Pharisees deeply.
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47Therefore the chief priests and the Pharisees convened a council, and were saying, "What are we doing? For this man is performing many signs. 48"If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation." 49But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all, 50nor do you take into account that it is expedient for you that one man die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish." 51Now he did not say this on his own initiative, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, 52and not for the nation only, but in order that He might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. 53So from that day on they planned together to kill Him. 54Therefore Jesus no longer continued to walk publicly among the Jews, but went away from there to the country near the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim; and there He stayed with the disciples. 55Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up to Jerusalem out of the country before the Passover to purify themselves. 56So they were seeking for Jesus, and were saying to one another as they stood in the temple, "What do you think; that He will not come to the feast at all?" 57Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where He was, he was to report it, so that they might seize Him.
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I. V.47-48___It is here that our plot thickens and we are told specifically that it was the "signs" that really bothered the Pharisees. It here that we find that the Pharisees had no understanding of a heavenly kingdom. They plainly were afraid of people believing in Jesus not as a Messiah who was to save His people and deliver them to a heavenly kingdom, but a Messiah who was to establish an earthly kingdom and compete with the Romans. This was the cause of great fear.
II. VV. 49-50___Caiaphas' statement in v. 50 was a shrewd political one, but rather unscrupulous. The truth of the condition of the Jewish leadership is increasingly clear. They were not so much interested in the Temple, their religion, or the nation as they were their own political power. Jesus prophesied exactly what was to happen to the Jewish nation because of their rejection of Him (Matt. 24; Luke 21). "Crucify Him, crucify Him, His blood be on us and our children (Matt. 27:25).
I believe that Caiaphas decided in view of of this situation and to serve his own needs that Jesus must die. Verse 50 is making an official pronouncement that Jesus must die. There is a repeated reference to his position (vv. 49,51). V. 57 tells us that Caiaphas' statement was an official statement.
III. V.__51 God can and does cause unwilling subjects to do His work and become His mouthpiece (cf. Balaam, Numbers 22-24; Saul, I Sam. 19:20-24).
IV. VV. 54-56___There are actions resulting from the order issued by the council. Jesus was public enemy # 1. Ephraim was about 14 miles from Jerusalem. It seems that during this time, Jesus made a preaching tour.
V. V. 57__The die is cast. Jesus is to be arrested.
Warren L Rogers