Jesus didn't just ask Lazarus to come back to life; he commanded it with a powerful voice, demonstrating his authority over death itself. The phrasing, "Lazarus, Hither, Out!" isn't just a verbal cue, but a direct, life-giving command that echoes God's creative power.
When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just prayed to His Father, thanking Him for hearing His prayer and for confirming His divine mission to the onlookers. Now, He issues a direct, powerful command to the deceased man in the tomb. This climactic moment follows His declaration that He is the resurrection and the life, and it will lead directly to Lazarus emerging from the tomb, bound in grave clothes.
Why did Jesus cry out with a loud voice? Was it to show off, or was there something more profound happening in that dramatic moment?
Jesus' loud cry wasn't a desperate plea or a mystical incantation. It was a deliberate, powerful command. Unlike the quiet whispers of magicians, Jesus spoke openly and audibly. This wasn't just about waking Lazarus; it was a public demonstration of divine authority.
Jesus didn't just command 'rise'; he called Lazarus by name. What's the significance of this personal touch in such a monumental act?
Jesus’ command, “Lazarus, come out,” is packed with personal meaning. The Greek literally means 'Lazarus, hither, out!' – a direct, verb-less command that feels immediate and personal.
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Lazarus came out still bound in his grave clothes. What does this detail reveal about the nature of the miracle and our own spiritual awakening?
The detail that Lazarus emerged still wrapped in his grave clothes, with his face bound, is incredibly significant. It shows that while Jesus’ command brought him out of the tomb, he wasn't yet fully free.
Understand the original words
apothnēskō · Greek Verb/Adjective
A physical separation of the soul from the body, representing the consequence of sin and the ultimate human experience of brokenness that only God can overcome through resurrection.
c. AD 27-30— this verse
Jesus' Ministry in Judea
During this period, Jesus conducted significant ministry in Judea, including raising Lazarus from the dead.
c. AD 30
Growing Jewish Hostility
The miracle of Lazarus, along with Jesus' other signs, intensified the opposition from Jewish leaders who saw him as a threat.
c. AD 30
Plot to Kill Jesus and Lazarus
The chief priests and Pharisees, alarmed by the impact of the Lazarus miracle, plotted not only to kill Jesus but also Lazarus, whom many were visiting.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
Shortly after raising Lazarus, Jesus entered Jerusalem triumphantly, an event fueled in part by the news of the miracle.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Crucifixion
The events leading up to and including the raising of Lazarus played a role in the increasing pressure on religious authorities to eliminate Jesus.
This passage of the dry bones being revived by God's word parallels Jesus' command, demonstrating that life comes through divine spoken power.
1 Thessalonians 4:16The loud command of Jesus here echoes the 'trumpet call' that will awaken the dead at the final resurrection, highlighting Jesus' authority over death.
Luke 7:14Jesus' command 'Young man, I say to you, arise' to the widow of Nain's son shows a similar pattern of a verbal command bringing life to the deceased.
John 5:25This verse states that 'the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live,' directly linking Jesus' voice to resurrection power.
Revelation 1:18Jesus declaring 'I am the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I hold the keys of death and Hades' provides the ultimate authority behind His command to Lazarus.
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 ask Lazarus to come back to life; he commanded it with a powerful voice, demonstrating his authority over death itself. The phrasing, "Lazarus, Hither, Out!" isn't just a verbal cue, but a direct, life-giving command that echoes God's creative power.
Jesus has just prayed to His Father, thanking Him for hearing His prayer and for confirming His divine mission to the onlookers. Now, He issues a direct, powerful command to the deceased man in the tomb. This climactic moment follows His declaration that He is the resurrection and the life, and it will lead directly to Lazarus emerging from the tomb, bound in grave clothes.
Jesus has just prayed to His Father, thanking Him for hearing His prayer and for confirming His divine mission to the onlookers. Now, He issues a direct, powerful command to the deceased man in the tomb. This climactic moment follows His declaration that He is the resurrection and the life, and it will lead directly to Lazarus emerging from the tomb, bound in grave clothes.
"When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him…" — Jesus didn't just ask Lazarus to come back to life; he commanded it with a powerful voice, demonstrating his authority over death itself. The phrasing, "Lazarus, Hither, Out!" isn't just a verbal cue…
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Last reviewed October 2026
