Interpretation of The Saint John's Bible: Lazarus, Come Forth!

July 4, 2026
By Joel Allen, Ph.D., Professor of Religion and Philosophy

The raising of Lazarus in John 11 is the most important miracle of Jesus short of the resurrection itself. This passage is also the portion of the Bible with the shortest verse: ‘Jesus wept,” (11:35). Martha has scolded Jesus for not coming sooner but also expresses lively resurrection faith in her confession: “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world,” (11:27). The only other similar confession in the gospels comes from Simon Peter (Mark 16:16).

Some early Greek manuscripts of John’s gospel seem to have originally put these words in the mouth of Mary, not Martha, a simple change in Greek. The theory claims that early scribes, wanting to reduce Mary Magdalene’s influence in the early church, altered the text to read “Martha,” not “Mary.”

Some understand her name “Magdalene” not as a reference to her hometown but as a nickname “The Tower” as Migdal means “tower” in Hebrew. If this is the case, Mary, the great female confessor of Jesus, is nicknamed “The Tower,” and Peter, the great male confessor of Jesus, was nicknamed by Jesus as “The Rock.” These alterations were meant to give what was originally Mary’s confession to Martha, and thus to weaken the role of such a powerful woman as Mary Magdalene. This theory has much to recommend but is still not broadly accepted.

Donald Jackson’s illumination of Lazarus’ raising involves a subtle but curious shift in perspective. That is, Donald Jackson drew the story from Lazarus’ perspective inside the tomb. A quick Google image search of “Lazarus in John 11” will produce hundreds of images, none of which include the perspective from the inside of the tomb. Jesus is hardly visible at the far side; he is emblazoned in light, reaching out his hand to draw Lazarus forth from his tomb.

Michael Patella’s book, “Image and Word: The Hermeneutics of The Saint John Bible” (Liturgical Press, 2013), notes that Jackson’s image almost looks to be depicting a near-death experience. Many claim, after a near-death experience, to encounter a tunnel with a light shining ahead and a person of divine love and power reaching out to welcome them home. Patella, who knew Jackson very well, said that Donald shared a similar story about his mother, who experienced a near-death encounter with Jesus while she was giving birth to Donald. Of course, this had a tremendous impact on young Donald. One can see that Jackson drew this piece as something of a near-death experience for Lazarus.

Lazarus was raised. But he still died again later. The miracle wasn't the permanent solution; it was a sign pointing to something larger. Which means the real question John 11 presses on us is: Is your faith anchored in outcomes, or in the One who stands at the boundary of death and calls your name?

That's a question worth returning to — especially in the seasons when the tomb stays sealed longer than you expected.

"I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live." - John 11:25

Raising of Lazarus (detail), Donald Jackson, © 2002 The Saint John’s Bible, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Dakota Wesleyan University is a community rooted in the values of learning, leadership, faith, and service. The Saint John’s Bible Heritage Edition, presented to the university in 2024, is a remarkable treasure, inspired by the first handwritten and illuminated Bible in over 500 years. Only 299 copies have been produced and the set housed at DWU is the only one in the Dakotas. This work of sacred art has been entrusted to DWU by long-time friends the Christen family. DWU makes these beautiful volumes available for viewing in the McGovern Library and Wagner Chapel, where anyone can experience the Word of God in a deeply personal way. You are welcome to turn the pages, read the scriptures, and immerse yourselves in their beauty.