📖 Biblical Definition
John 11 records the seventh and climactic sign of John's Gospel. Christ deliberately delayed two days after hearing of Lazarus's illness; by the time He arrived at Bethany, Lazarus had been dead four days. Martha and Mary both said: Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. Christ wept at the tomb. He commanded the stone removed, prayed audibly to the Father, and called out: Lazarus, come forth. The dead man came out, still bound in graveclothes. The Sanhedrin's response was immediate: from that day they took counsel to kill Him.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
RAISING OF LAZ, n.
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A scriptural sign of Christ; the seventh sign in John's Gospel.
📖 Key Scripture
John 11:25 — "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."
John 11:35 — "Jesus wept."
John 11:43 — "And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth."
John 11:53 — "Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity tries to skip the tomb; Christ wept and waited four days before the resurrection.
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John 11 contains the shortest and most theologically loaded verse in the New Testament: Jesus wept. The Lord of resurrection wept at a friend's tomb — not because He was uncertain of the outcome (He had announced the raising in advance) but because death is grievous and the saints around Him were grieving. The verse is permission to grieve fully even when resurrection is certain.
Modern Christianity sometimes tries to skip the tomb. Faith is supposed to mean no tears; resurrection is supposed to make grief unnecessary. John 11 corrects: Christ wept and Christ raised. Both. The Lord of life took His time, let the situation become hopeless by every standard, and then called the dead man out by name. Trust His timing; weep fully when grief is appropriate; the Lord still calls the dead by name.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek roots below.
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Usage
"Modern Christianity tries to skip the tomb; Christ wept and waited four days."
"Faith does not mean no tears; resurrection certainty does not abolish grief."
"The Lord still calls the dead by name; trust His timing."