Note 1 at Joh 11:1: The Greek name Lazarus comes from the Hebrew name Eleazar, and it means "God (is) helper" (Strong's Concordance). Two men named Lazarus are mentioned in the New Testament: a beggar named Lazarus who was covered with sores and gathered crumbs from the rich man's table (Lu 16:19-31) and this Lazarus whom Jesus raised from the dead.

This Lazarus is only mentioned in Joh 11 and 12, and all the information we have about him are details relating to his being raised from the dead. He had already known Jesus prior to his resurrection (possible instances like Lu 10:38-42), as can be seen by the statement, "he whom thou lovest is sick" (Joh 11:3).

Since Lazarus lived with his sisters, Mary and Martha, and there is a noticeable absence of any mention of his wife, it can be assumed that he was single. His resurrection took place after four days of death (Joh 11:17). This is the longest recorded period of death in Scripture from which anyone came back (see note 3 at Lu 7:15).

Just a few days after his resurrection from the dead, Lazarus and his sisters attended a supper given for Jesus in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper (Mt 26:6, Mr 14:3, and Joh 12:1-3). Joh 12:9 says that many Jews came to the supper not only to see Jesus but also to see this man that had been raised from the dead. This infuriated the chief priests, so they plotted to put Lazarus to death also (Joh 12:10-11). There is no record of how Lazarus died the second time.

This miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead was the main cause of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem a few days later (Joh 12:17-18). Indeed it was the main incident that finalized the Jews' determination to kill Jesus (Joh 11:46-52).

Note 2 at Joh 11:1: Bethany is only mentioned in the Gospels of the New Testament. There is some debate as to what the name Bethany means. Some say it means "house of depression or misery" (Thayer's Lexicon) or "date-house" (Strong's Concordance). In Jesus' day, Bethany was a small town located on the southeastern slope of the Mount of Olives about two miles east of Jerusalem and on the road to Jericho. Not only was Bethany the home of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary (as stated in this verse) but also of Simon the leper (Mt 26:6 and Mr 14:3). Being situated so close to Jerusalem, Bethany was a convenient place for Jesus to lodge (Mt 21:17 and Mr 11:11-12), and Simon the leper made his home available for that purpose (Mt 26:6 and Mr 14:3).

Since Jesus was also a close friend of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary (Joh 11:5 and 36), it is certain that He spent part of His time with them also (Lu 10:38 and Joh 12:1-2) while in Bethany. According to Luke, Bethany was the town or area from which Jesus ascended into heaven (Lu 24:50-51 and Ac 1:12). The Mount of Olives will be the place to which He returns at His Second Coming (see note 1 at Joh 8:1). A village by the name of al-Eizariya ("Place of Lazarus") still exists on the southeastern slope of the Mount of Olives today and is the probable site of ancient Bethany.