The account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead is one of the most well-known miracles in the New Testament, found in the Gospel of John (John 11:1-44). In this story, Jesus is called to help his friend Lazarus, who had been dead for four days. Jesus arrives at the tomb, prays, and commands Lazarus to come out, and he does, still wrapped in burial cloths. This miracle serves to demonstrate Jesus' power over life and death and reinforces his identity as the Son of God.
There are other instances in the New Testament where Jesus raises individuals from the dead, which are similar in nature to the Lazarus story. For example:
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The Daughter of Jairus: In the Gospels of Mark (5:21-43) and Luke (8:40-56), Jesus raises the daughter of Jairus, a synagogue leader. When Jesus arrives at Jairus' house, he finds that the girl has already died. He takes her by the hand and says, “Talitha, cumi,” which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!” She arises immediately, and those present are amazed.
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The Widow of Nain’s Son: In the Gospel of Luke (7:11-17), Jesus encounters a funeral procession in the town of Nain. The deceased is the only son of a widow. Moved by compassion, Jesus tells the woman not to weep and then touches the bier, saying, “Young man, I say to you, arise!” The dead man sits up and begins to speak, and Jesus gives him back to his mother.
Both of these events, like the raising of Lazarus, illustrate Jesus' authority over death and highlight his compassion for those who are grieving. They contribute to the overarching theme of resurrection and life found throughout the New Testament, reinforcing the belief in Jesus as the source of eternal life.