Raising Lazarus from the dead

Question 1

What I AM saying does this sign link to?

Answer 1

‘I am the resurrection and the life’

Question 2

Who is Lazarus?

Answer 2

The brother of Mary and Martha, two friends of JC who are also described in the Synoptics

Question 3

How is there an element of spiritual theatre with this sign?

Answer 3

Because JC didn’t have to travel to Judea or wait until Lazarus was dead to cure him

Question 4

What is the significance of readers being alerted that Lazarus’ story ‘will not end in death’?

Answer 4

• JC’s won’t either
• Death is not the end for anyone who believes in JC and receives life in his name

Question 5

What does JC mean when he states his motives for this sign?

Answer 5

He has healed the sick and the blind, but now he has something greater in mind that will glorify God and himself as the SoG. This will be the ultimate statement of God’s power and love, the most unmistakable expression of who JC is

Question 6

What will this sign do for the Jewish authorities?

Answer 6

Trigger their determination to kill JC

Question 7

How does John describe Martha?

Answer 7

As more confident but less insightful than her more spiritual sister, Mary

Question 8

Why does JC have to correct Martha about the idea of eternal life?

Answer 8

Because Martha is looking forward to some future eschatological event, but JC reminds her that eternal life is here here and now for those who believe in JC

Question 9

Who are the only two people who recognise JC as the SoG during his lifetime?

Answer 9

Martha and Peter

Question 10

Explain Dodd’s idea that Jesus preaches a realised eschatology

Answer 10

Eschatology is beliefs about the end times. However, JC teaches that these things are happening in the present moment, rather than the future

Question 11

Why is the verse ‘Jesus wept’ important?

Answer 11

It shows JC’s humanity - as he openly weeps about the death of his friend. John’s gospel normally presents JC as aloof and unaffected by the strong emotions around him

Question 12

Why is it puzzling that JC weeps for Lazarus?

Answer 12

Because he seemed calm about allowing him to die just days earlier

Question 13

Why is it wrong to think that JC was weeping for Lazarus?

Answer 13

Because JC is actually weeping for all of humanity. God created Adam and Eve as immortal beings, with death only entering the world as a result of the fall, so from JC’s perspective there is something deeply tragic and unnatural about humans dying.

Question 14

What is the Johannine irony of the Jewish bystanders seeing JC’s weeping as evidence of his love of Lazarus?

Answer 14

Because JC loves them too and is weeping for them as well, but they are spiritually blind to this

Question 15

What does the cave with the stone over it represent?

Answer 15

The tomb where JC will be buried

Question 16

What is the significance of the fact that Lazarus was raised after being dead for 4 days?

Answer 16

• He does not have the power to rise from the dead like JC does
• There was a Jewish belief that on the 4th day the spirit left and someone was truly dead. JC rejects such superstitions

Question 17

What does Raymond Brown say about the use of the phrase ‘cried out’ by JC?

Answer 17

It is an example of Johannine Irony; JC uses this phrase when being put on trial by Pilate and the mob cries out for times for JC to be put to death. JC cries out for life but his opponents cry out for death

Question 18

Why is JC’s resurrection superior to Lazarus’?

Answer 18

Because Lazarus only receives physical life, but JC is raised to a new supernatural and spiritual life

Question 19

What is the symbolic significance of Lazarus emerging in his grave clothes?

Answer 19

Lazarus has only been granted physical life - so he will need them again one day when he dies. The Risen Christ leaves his grave clothes behind because he will never need them again

Question 20

What is the Johannine irony of Caiaphas saying that JC should die for the benefit of the nation?

Answer 20

Because JC will do this through his atoning death, just not in the way that the Jewish leaders think

Question 21

How does this sign add to the hostility towards the Jews?

Answer 21

The disciples refer to the Jews as their enemies, even though they themselves our Jewish. Mary and Martha are described as being accompanied by ‘the Jews’ - as if they themselves weren’t Jewish. Anyone who believes in JC is described as being separate from the Jews, who don’t