Note 1 at Jn. 11:1: The Greek name "Lazarus" comes from the Hebrew name "Eleazar," which means "God has helped." There are two men named Lazarus mentioned in the New Testament There was a beggar named Lazarus who was covered with sores and gathered crumbs from the rich man's table (Lk. 16:19-31) and this Lazarus that Jesus raised from the dead.

This Lazarus is only mentioned in John's gospel, chapters 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 Lk. 10:38-42) as can be seen by the statement, "he whom thou lovest is sick" (v. 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 (v. 17), which is the longest recorded period of death in scripture from which anyone came back (see note 3 at Lk. 7:15, p. 116).

Just a few days after his resurrection from the dead, Lazarus and his sisters attended a supper in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper (Mt. 26:6; Mk. 14:3; Jn. 12:1-3) which was given for Jesus. John 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 (Jn. 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 (Jn. 12:17-18). Indeed it was the main incident which finalized the Jews' determination to kill Jesus (Jn. 11:46- 52).

Note 2 at Jn. 11:1: Bethany is only mentioned in the gospels of the New Testament. The name "Bethany" means "house of the afflicted one" or in the Talmud, "house of the non-maturing dates." In Jesus' day, Bethany was a small town located on the eastern 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; Mk. 14:3). Being situated so close to Jerusalem, Bethany was a convenient place for Jesus to lodge (Mt. 21:17; Mk. 11:11- 12) and Simon the leper made his home available for that purpose (Mt. 26:6; Mk. 14:3).

Since Jesus was also a close friend of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary (Jn. 11:5,36), it is certain that He spent part of His time with them also (Lk. 10:38; Jn. 12:1-2) while in Bethany. According to Luke's account, Bethany is the town or area from which Jesus ascended into heaven (Lk. 24:50-51; also confirmed in Acts 1:12), and the Mount of Olives will be the place to which He returns at His second coming (see note 1 at Jn. 8:1, p. 228). A small village by the name of el-Aziriyeh (Lazarus' village) still exists on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives today, and is the probable site of ancient Bethany.