Note 22 at Jn. 11:44: Embalming was a highly developed art practiced by the Egyptians. Although not generally practiced by Jews, they did take steps to prepare a body for burial. After a person died, the body was washed and then either wrapped in a cloth or rolled in linen bandages three or four inches wide with spices added in the strips of cloth as the body was wound (Jn. 19:39-40). The head was wrapped separately in a napkin. The extent of preparation was dependent upon the wealth or social standing of the person who died. Lazarus was raised with his graveclothes still intact. Since Lazarus could walk, his limbs and body were probably wrapped with the linen strips.

Note 23 at Jn. 11:44: Symbolically, Lazarus is like many Christians. The Bible speaks of us passing from death unto new life when we get born again (Jn. 5:24; 1 Jn. 3:14). But it is also true that in the physical and emotional realm, we bring our "graveclothes" from our old life with us (i.e. habits, attitudes, etc.), and we need to be "loosed" to fully enjoy our new life.