Raising Lazarus
This story was written in Hebrew. Take a look at some of the words from the story in the original Hebrew to find new meaning.
To love (in John's gospel)
Context in the story (John 11:36): "Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus."
Question: Why do the Jews use the term phileo instead of a stronger term for love? Why do they say Jesus liked him in the past tense?
Cosmos
Context in the story (John 11:9): "Jesus 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 kosmos."
Context in the story (John 11:27): "She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the kosmos.”
Question: How does this Greek word change your thinking on what Jesus is saying in this passage? How does Martha use the term kosmos in relationship to the Christ?
To rejoice (related to joy)
Context in the story (John 11:14-15): "Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am chairo that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”
Question: This is a strong word choice. Why do you think Jesus rejoices that he wasn't there?
To raise (related to resurrection and awakening)
Context in the story (John 11:23): "Jesus said to her, “Your brother will anistemi again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will anistemi again in the resurrection on the last day.”
Question: Earlier Jesus said he went to awaken Lazarus from sleep. How do you think the word anistemi relates to what Jesus told his disciples? How is Martha using the word?
To resurrect (related to raise or awakening)
To sob aloud or cry
Context in the story (John 11:31): "When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to klaio there."
Context in the story (John 11:31): "When Jesus saw her klaio, and the Jews who had come with her also klaio, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled."
Explanation: This form of crying is different than the Greek word used for "Jesus wept." This Greek word might be better translated in English "sobbing," and entails making a noise of sorrow.
To be stern, to rebuke, to scold
Context in the story (John 11:33): "When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was embrimaomai in his spirit and greatly troubled."
Context in the story (John 11:37-28): "But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?” Then Jesus, embrimaomai again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it."
Question: Many translations try to relax the strong word used here. Look at the context of these verses. Why do you think Jesus felt this way?
Disturbed or shaken
Question: Jesus has so far spoken in this chapter with his disciples and now with Martha and Mary who also had likely received teachings from him. Mary has just accused Jesus that her brother had needlessly died through tears. Why do you think Jesus was tarasso at this moment?
To let tears fall
Explanation: This verb for crying emphasizes that a tear falls down the face, but not necessarily with noise or sobbing. This contrasts Mary and the Jews comforting her who are sobbing.
To like or be fond of (in John's gospel)
Context in the story (John 11:36): "So the Jews said, “See how he phileo him!”
Explanation: Outside of the Gospel of John, this word is often used interchangeably with love. In the Gospel of John, this is used more in the sense of fondness, friendship, or liking, in contrast to agape, which is used as a stronger sense of love.
Question: Why do the Jews use the term phileo instead of a stronger term for love? Why do they say Jesus liked him in the past tense?
To untie or set free
Context in the story (John 11:44): "The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “luo him, and let him go.”
Question: In what way was Lazarus being set free as well as literally untied?
“Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”