Λάζαρος

Luke 16:20 Λάζαρος Lazarus

And a beggar named Lazarus lay at his gate, covered with sores

Here: The Greek form of a shortened Hebrew name, La'zar, from Eleazar, meaning 'God has helped'. It was one of the most common Jewish names of the time. It fits a man whom no one but God helps.

Luke 16:23 Λάζαρον Lazarus

In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham from afar, with Lazarus by his side.

Here: A short form of Eleazar, 'God has helped'. He is the only named character in any of Jesus' parables. The rich man has no name. The beggar nobody noticed has one, and it says who helped him.

Luke 16:24 Λάζαρον Lazarus

So he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. For I am in agony in this fire.’

Here: A Greek form of Eleazar, meaning 'God has helped'. Using the name shows that the rich man knew exactly who had lain at his gate (v. 20).

Luke 16:25 Λάζαρος Lazarus

But Abraham answered, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things. But now he is comforted here, while you are in agony.

Here: The Greek form of Eleazar, 'God has helped'. He is the only named character in any of Jesus' parables, and the name fits a man no one else helped.

John 11:1 Λάζαρος Lazarus

At this time a man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.

Here: The Greek form of Laʿzar, the everyday short form of the Hebrew name Eleazar, 'God has helped'. It was one of the most common Jewish men's names of the period. The name is placed after the participle, so the order is 'someone was ill, Lazarus'.

John 11:2 Λάζαρος Lazarus

(Mary, whose brother Lazarus was sick, was to anoint the Lord with perfume and wipe His feet with her hair.)

Here: A short Greek form of Eleazar, 'God has helped'. The name fits a story in which God's help comes after all hope seems gone.

John 11:5 Λάζαρον. Lazarus.

Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.

Here: The sick man, named last. His name is a Greek form of the Hebrew Eleazar, 'God has helped'. That fits a story in which God's help arrives in a way no one expected.

John 11:11 Λάζαρος Lazarus

After He had said this, He told them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to wake him up.”

Here: Greek form of the Hebrew Eleazar / Lazar, 'God has helped'. Lazarus is the brother of Martha and Mary of Bethany (11:1–2). Coming first in the sentence, his name is the topic: 'Lazarus, our friend…'

John 11:14 Λάζαρος Lazarus

So Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead,

Here: The friend 'whom you love' (11:3), brother of Martha and Mary, from Bethany. His name, meaning 'God has helped', fits the story about to unfold, though John does not comment on it.

John 11:43 Λάζαρε, Lazarus,

After Jesus had said this, He called out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”

Here: The direct form of address: Jesus calls the dead man by his name. Lazarus is a short form of the very common Jewish name Eleazar, 'God has helped.' Being called by name echoes 10:3, where the shepherd 'calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.'

John 12:1 Λάζαρος Lazarus

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, the hometown of Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.

Here: A shortened Greek form of the Hebrew name Eleazar, 'God has helped'. He is the brother of Martha and Mary, raised in John 11.

John 12:2 Λάζαρος Lazarus

So they hosted a dinner for Jesus there. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Him.

Here: A Greek form of the Hebrew name Eleazar, 'God has helped'. He is the man Jesus raised from the dead only a short time before (11:43–44; 12:1).

John 12:9 Λάζαρον Lazarus

Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews learned that Jesus was there. And they came not only because of Him, but also to see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.

Here: The man of Bethany who had been dead and buried for four days (11:17, 39). He is now a living, visible sign.

John 12:10 Λάζαρον Lazarus

So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well,

Here: The Greek form of Eleazar, 'God has helped.' He is the man of Bethany whom Jesus raised after four days in the tomb (John 11). He is placed before the verb for emphasis: 'Lazarus too, they must kill.'

John 12:17 Λάζαρον Lazarus

Meanwhile, many people who had been with Jesus when He called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to testify.

Here: Greek form of the Hebrew Eleazar, 'God has helped'. He is the brother of Martha and Mary of Bethany. He is placed before the verb for emphasis: 'Lazarus he called'.