Miya Pearson
In the Bible, Jesus says Lazarus is sleeping, but I will go and wake him up. While the disciples thought he meant that Lazarus was simply sleeping, Jesus meant that Lazarus was dead. Sleep is often used in Christian contexts as a metaphor for death, as death of the body is seen as a temporary, peaceful condition. This metaphor is used because Christians believe in resurrection and eternal life.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Jesus' intent | To raise Lazarus from the dead as proof of his divine power |
| Jesus' meaning | Lazarus was dead, but sleep is used as a metaphor for death in Christian contexts |
| Disciples' interpretation | Jesus meant Lazarus was sleeping and would soon get better |
| Jesus' response | "Lazarus is dead. And for your sakes, I'm glad I wasn't there, for now, you will really believe." |
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What You'll Learn
Jesus used 'sleep' as a metaphor for death
In the Bible, Jesus uses the word "sleep" as a metaphor to describe the death of his friend Lazarus in John 11:11. The relevant passage reads:
> "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up."
The disciples, however, interpret Jesus' words literally and believe that Lazarus is simply sleeping and will soon recover. They are unaware that Jesus is speaking about Lazarus' death and intends to resurrect him. This is clarified when Jesus plainly states:
> "Lazarus is dead. And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there, for now, you will really believe."
The use of sleep as a metaphor for death is a common theme in Christian contexts. It conveys the belief that death is a temporary state, akin to a peaceful sleep, from which one will be awakened through resurrection to eternal life. This interpretation is supported by other Biblical passages, such as Acts 7:60 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18.
In the case of Lazarus, Jesus' use of the word "sleep" may also hold spiritual significance. Lazarus' spiritual death or sleep could refer to his lack of belief in God, and his resurrection represents the awakening of his spirit and his newfound faith. Thus, Jesus' statement about Lazarus sleeping holds a deeper meaning, alluding to both physical and spiritual aspects of death and rebirth.
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Jesus' disciples were confused by his intent
The disciples' confusion is understandable given the cultural and spiritual context of the time. Sleep is often used in Christian texts as a metaphor for physical death, implying a temporary state from which one will eventually awaken. By saying that Lazarus was sleeping, Jesus was expressing his intent to raise Lazarus from the dead, providing proof of his divine power.
However, the disciples may have struggled to reconcile this interpretation with their understanding of death and the passage of time. They had already waited two days, and from their perspective, returning to hostile territory to wake a sleeping friend did not seem like a prudent decision. Their reactions in the following verses reflect a mix of pessimism and bravery.
Adding to their confusion, Jesus initially spoke in a veiled manner, saying, "Lazarus, our friend, has just fallen asleep. It's time that I go and awaken him." It was only after the disciples' response that Jesus clarified his meaning, stating plainly, "Lazarus is dead." This two-step revelation highlights the disciples' misunderstanding and sets the stage for the subsequent events, including Thomas' willingness to face potential danger alongside Jesus.
The disciples' interpretation of Jesus' words as referring to literal sleep reveals their human perspective on death and their ongoing journey toward understanding the true nature of Jesus' divine mission and power.
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Jesus waited two days before waking Lazarus
In the Bible, Jesus says of Lazarus, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up". The disciples, misunderstanding Jesus, believe that Lazarus is merely sleeping and will soon recover. However, Jesus means that Lazarus has died, and he intends to resurrect him.
Jesus waited two days before going to wake Lazarus. This delay caused confusion among his disciples, who did not understand Jesus' intentions. From their perspective, returning to Bethany, which was close to Jerusalem, was risky due to the hostile sentiment in the area. Their reaction to Jesus' plan is described as pessimistic but brave.
Jesus' use of the word "sleep" to refer to death is common in Christian contexts. It is used as a metaphor to describe physical death, with those who have faith in God viewing death as a temporary state. This belief in resurrection is reflected in Jesus' statement to Martha, the sister of Lazarus: "Your brother will rise again". Martha responds, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day". Jesus affirms that he is "the resurrection and the life", and that those who believe in him "will never die".
Jesus' resurrection of Lazarus serves as proof of his divine power. It also demonstrates his ability to wake those who are "spiritually asleep", or those who do not believe in God.
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Thomas was willing to die with Jesus
In the Bible, Jesus uses the phrase "Lazarus is sleeping" to refer to the death of his friend Lazarus. Jesus often practiced boundaries and emotional health during his time on Earth.
Thomas was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus, also known as "Didymus" and "the Twin". He is often referred to as "Doubting Thomas" due to his scepticism about Jesus' resurrection. Despite this, Thomas was willing to die with Jesus, as evidenced by his words and actions.
In John 11, when Jesus expressed his intention to return to Judah to visit Martha, Mary, and restore Lazarus, the disciples opposed him, knowing that there were people in Judah who wanted to stone Jesus to death. Thomas, however, bravely spoke up and said, "Let us also go, that we may die with Him". His words reflected his willingness to face danger alongside Jesus, even if it meant death.
Thomas's commitment to Jesus extended beyond words. Church tradition and history tell us that Thomas travelled outside the Roman Empire to Persia, India, and possibly even China. He became a bold evangelist and church planter, spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Ultimately, Thomas died by the sword in southern India, near Madras, remaining faithful to Jesus until the end.
Thomas's willingness to die with Jesus demonstrates his deep love and devotion to his saviour. He was willing to face persecution, travel to distant lands, and ultimately give his life for the sake of spreading Jesus' message. His example serves as an inspiration for Christians throughout history, reminding them of the power of faith and the importance of following Jesus, even in the face of adversity.
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Lazarus was spiritually asleep
In the Bible, Jesus says of Lazarus: “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up." The disciples, however, interpreted this literally, assuming that Lazarus was simply sleeping and would soon recover. But Jesus meant that Lazarus had died and that he would resurrect him.
One interpretation of this passage is that Lazarus was "spiritually asleep". In Christian contexts, sleep is often used as a metaphor for physical death, implying that death is a temporary state from which believers will be awakened to eternal life. Lazarus's death and sleep, therefore, could be understood as spiritual rather than physical.
This interpretation holds that Lazarus did not believe in God before his death and that Jesus, by resurrecting him, awakened his spirit and converted him into a believer. This reading of the text suggests that Jesus' statement about Lazarus sleeping is not just a metaphor for death but also signifies a spiritual transformation.
The idea of sleep as a metaphor for death is also supported by other passages in the Bible, such as Acts 7:60 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, where sleep is used to describe the death of the body as a peaceful and temporary condition for those who have faith in God. This interpretation aligns with the belief in resurrection and eternal life, as death is not seen as the end but rather a state of sleep from which one will eventually awaken.
The story of Lazarus, therefore, serves as a powerful demonstration of Jesus' divine power and a testament to the spiritual awakening that is possible through belief in him.
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Frequently asked questions
Jesus used the phrase "Lazarus is sleeping" as a metaphor for Lazarus being dead. In Christian contexts, sleep is often used as a metaphor for physical death.
Jesus used the word "sleeping" to imply that death is a temporary, peaceful condition for those who have faith in God.
After making this statement, Jesus went on to say that he would wake Lazarus up. When they arrived at Bethany, they found that Lazarus had been dead for four days. Jesus then raised Lazarus from the dead.
By raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus provided proof of his divine power and demonstrated that he is "the resurrection and the life". This event also served as a lesson in trusting and having faith in Jesus.
