I’ve always been intrigued by this whole passage 🙂 … it isn’t in the other gospels, although Jesus does, I think, raise others from the dead elsewhere. I seem to remember reading somewhere that Lazarus was later murdered to get rid of the evidence of Jesus’ works.
Therefore his sisters sent unto him (Jesus), saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
…. this shows the deep relationship between Jesus and Lazarus – he is referred to not by name but as the one that Jesus loves. Some scholars have speculated that perhaps Lazarus was the “beloved disciple” rather than John.
When he (Jesus) had heard therefore that he (Lazarus) was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.
… why did Jesus wait, when he cared so much about Lazarus? I get that it is more amazing to raise someone from the dead than to simply heal them, but the idea of Jesus making PR decisions leaves me cold.
Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.
… this reminds me of another line in John where Jesus mentions that one must work while there is light. I wonder if he meant that he must do what he can now, before his death?
Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
… Jesus has precognition.
Let us also go, that we may die with him.
… whew! … it’s not easy to be a disciple!
Reading the Light Through the Pages 
When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus. (John 11:9-12).In the film Last Temptation of Christ they have him assassinated.
Right – I bet I’m remembering the scene from the movie. Great movie, btw. Sometimes I worry that my whole “knowledge” of the NT is based more on movies than scripture 🙂
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It was a powerful film as I recall — but not worth all the controversy. I remember lines of folsk with placards condemning the picture and others handing out tracts to us as we left the theatres. It dared to suggest that Jesus was human enough to be tempted by a human life of comfort and family and friends while he hung on the cross. That isn’t so hard to believe. That’s part of what the whole Gethsemane scene in the gospels was alla bout I think.
Crystal: “Sometimes I worry…” You know the answer to that, my dear: read. In a way I envy you, since you can go at afresh now instead of with all the presuppositions that I take to it.The deplorable thing about the Christian faith, as so often practiced, is that people feel so threatened by any departure from the “tried and true” way they were taught. In contrast Blake said, “everything possible to be believed is an image of faith”. I do firmly believe that whatever anyone else believes is worth careful and sympathetic consideration. We are members one of another.
Larry – good advice, thanks :-).David – yes, I remember seeing the movie and having my purse searched first, in case of a bomb? The director is a very devout catholic (saw him on Inside the Actor’s Studio) and was saddened by all the controversy … still a neat movie … Harvey Keitel as Judas – hehehe.
Didn’t Scorsese direct LTOC? I think there was some anti-semitism surrounding its release.
Yes, it was him. I remember the controversy when it was released, but I thought it was mainly fundamentalist christians who were upset that his Jesus seemed too human?