Episode 139 - The Resurrection of Lazarus (Part 2).

Episode Summary

In this segment, I argued that this story is a midrash on Jesus’ own resurrection. A midrash is a form of interpretation in which a story, teaching, or doctrine is enhanced or elaborated on with more details or an analogous event. When Jesus called Lazarus to emerge from the tomb, we are told that he was wearing a face cloth. Only in John’s Gospel is Jesus said also to be wearing a face cloth (the same Greek word is used). In my judgment, this is a literary signal that tells readers to read the Lazarus episode as a proleptic adumbration of Jesus’ own resurrection. This also fits with standard New Testament and later Christian teaching that a general resurrection was made possible by Jesus’ resurrection. Until that general resurrection takes place, Jesus is the only one who has ever experienced resurrection. Lazarus is a resurrection account, not a resuscitation account.

Additional resources

• Do you have a question about the Bible or a topic you’d like to know more about? 

• Yes? Then go ahead and leave a rating and a review! I’d be honored to hear your thoughts and answer your questions in the next episodes!

• And if you want to unlock the secrets of Jesus’ precious words, make sure to give us a follow now!