When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus didn't just say "Lazarus, come out," he commanded, "Hither, out!" This phrasing emphasizes not only that Lazarus should come back to life but that he should move toward Jesus, signaling a direct, personal summons from life's Author.
When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus, after praying to the Father in front of everyone, directly commands the dead man to come out of the tomb. This powerful decree is meant to show the onlookers that Jesus' authority comes from God, demonstrating his divine power to overcome death itself. Immediately following this command, Lazarus emerges, still wrapped in his burial cloths, setting the stage for Jesus' next instruction to free him.
Why did Jesus cry out with a loud voice, and what does this reveal about the nature of His power?
Jesus’ command to Lazarus was not a hushed whisper or an incantation. The text emphasizes a "loud voice," a "great voice." This wasn't about performing a trick or a private enchantment. It was a public, authoritative declaration. Think of it: magicians and sorcerers often worked in secrecy, with muttered words. Jesus, however, spoke openly and audibly. This demonstrated that the power to raise Lazarus was His own, a direct expression of His divine authority, not a borrowed or mystical force. It was a power that commanded even death to obey.
Jesus spoke Lazarus's name and commanded him 'come out.' What is the significance of this personal address and the direct command?
Jesus didn't just call out a general command for the dead to rise; He spoke directly to Lazarus by name: 'Lazarus, come out.' This personal address highlights Jesus' intimate knowledge of and care for Lazarus. It’s like calling a friend from a deep sleep. But this specific command also serves as a powerful preview of the general resurrection. Just as Jesus’ voice reached into the tomb and called Lazarus forth, one day His voice will call all believers from their graves to eternal life. This single event is a tangible demonstration of Christ’s ultimate authority over death for all humanity.
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This miracle wasn't just about bringing a friend back to life; it was a powerful public demonstration of Jesus' divine authority, intended to solidify belief in Him and underscore His identity as the resurrection and the life.
c. 1st century AD
Jesus' Ministry in Judea
Jesus spent time ministering in Judea, including visiting Bethany, the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. This period saw many signs and wonders performed by Jesus.
c. 1st century AD
Lazarus falls ill and dies
Lazarus, a close friend of Jesus, becomes gravely ill and dies. His sisters, Mary and Martha, send word to Jesus.
c. 1st century AD— this verse
Jesus arrives at Bethany
Jesus arrives in Bethany after Lazarus has been in the tomb for four days, prompting His decision to raise him from the dead.
c. 1st century AD
Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead
Jesus calls out with a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come out,' and Lazarus, bound in grave clothes, emerges from the tomb, demonstrating Jesus' divine power over death.
c. 1st century AD
Growing opposition to Jesus
The miracle of Lazarus' resurrection caused many Jews to believe in Jesus, but it also intensified the fear and opposition of the religious leaders, leading to increased plotting against Jesus' life.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
The raising of Lazarus is seen by many as the event that directly precipitated the decision of the Sanhedrin to have Jesus killed, fearing His growing influence and potential threat to their authority.
This passage describes Elijah calling out to God with a loud voice, similar to Jesus's powerful command to Lazarus, to demonstrate God's power over false gods.
Luke 7:14Jesus touches the bier and speaks to the dead young man, 'Young man, I say to you, arise.' This parallels Jesus's authoritative command to Lazarus, emphasizing his power over death.
Ezekiel 37:4God speaks through the prophet Ezekiel, commanding him to prophesy to the dry bones, 'Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: Behold, I will bring breath into you, and you shall live.' This echoes Jesus's spoken command bringing life back to the deceased.
1 Thessalonians 4:16This passage describes the Lord descending from heaven with a loud command, with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ rising. This connects Jesus's loud call to Lazarus with the future general resurrection.
John 5:28-29Jesus states that the hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out. This passage directly links the raising of Lazarus to the future resurrection of all people by the Son of Man's voice.
barnesJohn 11:43: "And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth."
A loud voice - Greek, "A great voice." Syriac: "A high voice." This was distinctly asserting his power. He uttered a distinct, audible voice, that there might be no suspicion of charm or incantation. The ancient magicians and jugglers performed their wonders by whispering and muttering. See the notes at Isaiah 8:19 . Jesus spake openly and audibly, and asserted thus his power. So, also, in the day of jud…
vincentJohn 11:43: "And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth."
Come forth (δεῦρο ἔξω)Literally, hither forth.
Jesus didn't just say "Lazarus, come out," he commanded, "Hither, out!" This phrasing emphasizes not only that Lazarus should come back to life but that he should move toward Jesus, signaling a direct, personal summons from life's Author.
Jesus, after praying to the Father in front of everyone, directly commands the dead man to come out of the tomb. This powerful decree is meant to show the onlookers that Jesus' authority comes from God, demonstrating his divine power to overcome death itself. Immediately following this command, Lazarus emerges, still wrapped in his burial cloths, setting the stage for Jesus' next instruction to free him.
Jesus, after praying to the Father in front of everyone, directly commands the dead man to come out of the tomb. This powerful decree is meant to show the onlookers that Jesus' authority comes from God, demonstrating his divine power to overcome death itself. Immediately following this command, Lazarus emerges, still wrapped in his burial cloths, setting the stage for Jesus' next instruction to free him.
"When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.”" — Jesus didn't just say "Lazarus, come out," he commanded, "Hither, out!" This phrasing emphasizes not only that Lazarus should come back to life but that he should move toward Jesus, signaling a dir…
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Last reviewed October 2026