John 11:43-44
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)
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Jesus didn't just say "Lazarus, get up," but "Lazarus, hither forth!" This imperative, carrying no verb, vividly paints the picture of Jesus commanding the very essence of Lazarus's being to return to his body and come out of the tomb. It’s a powerful declaration that life itself answers to His authoritative voice, not just a request.
Jesus, after praying and thanking God for hearing him, calls out with a powerful command to the tomb. This act follows the removal of the stone and Jesus' confirmation of his divine authority to Martha, setting the stage for the ultimate demonstration of his power over death. Lazarus, still wrapped in his grave clothes, is about to emerge from the tomb at Jesus' word.
Why did Jesus cry out with a LOUD voice? It wasn't for show or to mimic ancient sorcerers.
Jesus' command to Lazarus wasn't a whisper or an incantation. The text emphasizes He 'cried out with a loud voice.' This was a deliberate, open declaration of His power. Unlike the secretive mutterings of magicians, Jesus' word was public and authoritative. This loud cry wasn't just to break the silence; it was to powerfully assert His divine authority and demonstrate that He, by His own power, was commanding life to return. It's a stark contrast to the methods of the occult, highlighting the pure, unadulterated power flowing from God Himself.
Did Jesus 'ask' Lazarus to come out, or did He 'tell' him?
The Greek phrase used here, 'hither forth!' (literally, 'Lazarus, here out!'), doesn't contain a verb. This isn't a polite request like asking someone to wake up. It's a direct, powerful command that bypasses the natural process of death and decay. It demonstrates Jesus' absolute authority over life and death. He wasn't just nudging Lazarus awake; He was summoning him from the state of death, implying the power to reanimate a deceased body and recall a departed soul. This command is a profound declaration of Jesus' divinity, as only God has the ultimate power over life and death.
Why is this miracle so significant? It's a powerful preview of a future event for all believers.
Jesus' act of calling Lazarus from the tomb is more than just a compassionate rescue of a friend. It serves as a profound illustration and a tangible promise of the future resurrection. Just as Jesus' authoritative voice called Lazarus, so His voice will one day call all believers from their graves. This miracle demonstrates the possibility, the method (through the Son of God's voice), and the certainty of the general resurrection. It assures us that death is not the end, and that those who are in Christ will be called forth to life eternal by His powerful word.
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.
The raising of Lazarus was a pivotal event, occurring shortly before Jesus' own death and resurrection. It served as a powerful public demonstration of Jesus' divine authority and a significant catalyst for the events of Passover week.
c. 27-30 AD
Jesus' Galilean Ministry
Jesus conducts most of his public ministry in Galilee, performing miracles and teaching.
c. 30 AD
Jesus Travels to Judea
Jesus travels to Judea, including Bethany, the home of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha.
c. 30 AD
Lazarus Falls Ill and Dies
Lazarus becomes sick and dies before Jesus can reach him.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Jesus Arrives at Bethany
Jesus arrives in Bethany to find Lazarus has been dead for four days and is in the tomb.
c. 30 AD
Jesus Raises Lazarus
Just as Jesus calls Lazarus out of the tomb, the Lord asks Ezekiel, 'Son of man, can these bones live?' This highlights the divine power needed to call life back into what is utterly dead, mirroring Jesus' authoritative command.
1 Thessalonians 4:16The loud command of Jesus to Lazarus echoes the description of the Lord's return, where 'the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God' will awaken the dead. Both passages show God's powerful voice calling His people forth.
Luke 7:14Jesus speaks to the deceased son of the widow of Nain with the direct command, 'Young man, I say to you, arise.' This parallels the command to Lazarus, showing Jesus' consistent power to raise the dead with a spoken word.
John 5:28-29Jesus states that the hour is coming when 'all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out.' The raising of Lazarus is a direct demonstration of this future resurrection, initiated by the Son of God's powerful 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, get up," but "Lazarus, hither forth!" This imperative, carrying no verb, vividly paints the picture of Jesus commanding the very essence of Lazarus's being to return to his body and come out of the tomb. It’s a powerful declaration that life itself answers to His authoritative voice, not just a request.
Jesus, after praying and thanking God for hearing him, calls out with a powerful command to the tomb. This act follows the removal of the stone and Jesus' confirmation of his divine authority to Martha, setting the stage for the ultimate demonstration of his power over death. Lazarus, still wrapped in his grave clothes, is about to emerge from the tomb at Jesus' word.
Jesus, after praying and thanking God for hearing him, calls out with a powerful command to the tomb. This act follows the removal of the stone and Jesus' confirmation of his divine authority to Martha, setting the stage for the ultimate demonstration of his power over death. Lazarus, still wrapped in his grave clothes, is about to emerge from the tomb at Jesus' word.
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Jesus calls Lazarus out of the tomb by name, and he comes out alive.
c. 30 AD
Growing Opposition to Jesus
The raising of Lazarus, a significant public miracle, intensifies the fears and opposition of the religious leaders.
c. 30 AD
Jesus Enters Jerusalem
Following the raising of Lazarus, Jesus makes his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, leading to his arrest and crucifixion.
"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 say "Lazarus, get up," but "Lazarus, hither forth!" This imperative, carrying no verb, vividly paints the picture of Jesus commanding the very essence of Lazarus's being to retu…
