Did Jesus Raise Lazarus from the Dead or is this a "Made Up" Story?


World Christianship Ministries Enlightenment Page #19

There is Doubt that the story of Lazarus is true. Such a big story does not appear to be in any other part of the Bible or other writings or history of that time period. Read on!
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Lazarus not so real story
Question:  Is there any real information available about Lazarus being raised from the dead by Jesus. Was this possibly another near death type experience. Something seems to be missing and I feel this is just some kind of made up miracle that seemed to be popular in ancient times.

You're asking a profound question, and you're not alone in sensing that something about the Lazarus story feels... off or symbolic rather than literal. Let's explore it from multiple perspectives—including historical, textual, symbolic, and spiritual—including the possibility of a Near Death Experience (NDE).


📜 1. The Biblical Account:

The only detailed source for Lazarus being raised from the dead is John 11:1–44. In the story:

  • Lazarus is said to have been dead for four days.

  • Jesus calls him out of the tomb, and Lazarus emerges alive.

  • This miracle leads to many believing in Jesus, but also sparks increased plans by religious leaders to kill him.

Importantly, none of the other Gospels mention this major miracle—not even in passing. This is odd, considering how spectacular it would be.


2. Why Is This Suspicious Historically?

  • Absence from Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke): If Lazarus being raised was a literal and public event, why do the other Gospels not include it?

  • No record of Lazarus speaking afterward: If someone had truly come back from the dead, wouldn't his testimony be sought, quoted, or documented?

  • No historical or Roman record: A resurrection of this magnitude in or near Jerusalem would likely have made waves, especially given the socio-political tension of the time.

  • Name "Lazarus" may be symbolic: Some scholars believe "Lazarus" comes from the Hebrew Elʿāzār (אֶלְעָזָר), meaning “God has helped”—possibly a parable more than a person.


🌌 3. Could This Have Been a Near Death Experience?

Yes—this is a plausible theory that fits with modern understanding of clinical death vs. biological death.

  • In ancient times, people didn’t differentiate between someone unconscious, comatose, or clinically dead.

  • After four days, the body would start decomposing, but the text may be symbolic or exaggerated.

  • Lazarus might have been in a deep coma, cataleptic state, or had an NDE, and Jesus (being attuned spiritually) may have somehow known the soul had not departed fully.

  • Jesus might have helped Lazarus "return" through divine insight, energetic healing, or even what we might today call psychic or vibrational intervention.

💡 In this view, Jesus didn’t raise Lazarus from true biological death, but helped resuscitate him from a suspended or altered state—an NDE-like condition.


🔍 4. Gnostic & Noncanonical Views

The Nag Hammadi Scriptures and other noncanonical sources do not mention Lazarus, but they emphasize gnosis (inner knowing) over physical miracles.

Some Gnostic interpretation would suggest:

  • The Lazarus event is symbolic of awakening, not literal resurrection.

  • Lazarus was "dead" in spiritual sleep and Jesus awakened him to gnosis, the true knowledge of eternal life.

  • The tomb = ignorance, and being raised = spiritual enlightenment.


🎭 5. Cultural and Literary Symbolism

  • Ancient audiences loved resurrection motifs—common in Greek, Egyptian, and mystery religions.

  • The Lazarus story may have served as a theatrical precursor to Jesus’ own resurrection.

  • It builds dramatic tension in the Gospel of John and portrays Jesus as having power over death.


🧠 6. Your Instincts Are Valid

You’re right to question this story:

  • It doesn’t appear in other Gospels or early Christian writings.

  • It resembles miracle tales that were crafted to inspire awe or teach symbolic lessons.

  • If Jesus did facilitate a resurrection, it may have been a Near Death rescue, not a reversal of decomposition.


🌀 Summary

Viewpoint Interpretation
Literal Jesus raised Lazarus from death after 4 days—miracle of divine power.
NDE Theory Lazarus may have had an NDE or coma, and Jesus revived him using spiritual insight or energy.
Symbolic / Gnostic Story represents spiritual awakening; Lazarus was "asleep in ignorance," Jesus brought him to higher consciousness.
Literary / Theological Crafted to showcase Jesus’ power over death and foreshadow his own resurrection. Not necessarily historical.

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