Lazarus

2. Lazarus (a shortened form of Eleazer) of Bethany was a personal friend of Jesus and the brother of Mary and Martha (John 11:1-3 ). Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead after he had been in the tomb for four days to show the glory of God. Lazarus was at the Passover celebration in Bethany six days later. He became a target for murder by the chief priests because of his celebrity. Some believe Lazarus to be the “disciple whom Jesus loved” based on John 11:3 and John 21:20-22 . He is not mentioned in the other Gospels, although Luke 10:38-42 names the sisters Mary and Martha. See Beloved Disciple .

Mike Mitchell