The Raising of Lazarus - Week 14

John 11

Note: The study related to these questions may be found at Catholic Exchange. Please go to their site for the complete material concerning this study. Unless otherwise noted, on scriptural references are from the Revised Standard Version (RSV). Below are my thoughts on the questions presented for the given study (Please see disclaimer at bottom).

1. What might we note about the way John refers to Mary, Martha and Lazarus in verses 1 and 2? Where else in Scripture do we meet these friends of Jesus?
(a) John refers them as someone with whom the reader would already know. In other words, John assumes that we are familiar with the Synoptic Gospels. (b) We know Martha, Mary, and Lazarus from several places in Scripture:

37: And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38: and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39: Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner." 40: And Jesus answering said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he answered, "What is it, Teacher?" 41: "A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42: When they could not pay, he forgave them both. Now which of them will love him more?" 43: Simon answered, "The one, I suppose, to whom he forgave more." And he said to him, "You have judged rightly." 44: Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house, you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45: You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46: You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47: Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little." 48: And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." 49: Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this, who even forgives sins?" 50: And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." (Lk 7:37-50)

38: Now as they went on their way, he entered a village; and a woman named Martha received him into her house. 39: And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40: But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." 41: But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; 42: one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her." (Lk 10:38-42)

19: "There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20: And at his gate lay a poor man named Laz'arus, full of sores, 21: who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22: The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; 23: and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Laz'arus in his bosom. 24: And he called out, `Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Laz'arus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.' 25: But Abraham said, `Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Laz'arus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 26: And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.' 27: And he said, `Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house, 28: for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' 29: But Abraham said, `They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' 30: And he said, `No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' 31: He said to him, `If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.'" (Lk 16:19-31)

2. Think back to Lesson 12, which covered John 9:1-41. What was taught about suffering in Lesson 12 that reappears here again in Lesson 14, particularly in verses 3 and 6? Can you recall what paragraph 1521 in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) explained about suffering? How is what is said in CCC no. 1521 consistent with verses 3 and 6 of today's reading?
(a) That suffering is not a curse but rather a way for the glory of God to be manifested. (b) From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

Union with the passion of Christ. By the grace of this sacrament the sick person receives the strength and the gift of uniting himself more closely to Christ's Passion: in a certain way he is consecrated to bear fruit by configuration to the Savior's redemptive Passion. Suffering, a consequence of original sin, acquires a new meaning; it becomes a participation in the saving work of Jesus. (CCC, 1521)

This passage defines suffering as a participation in the saving work of Jesus. (c) It shows that, because of the great love Jesus has for Mary, Martha and Lazarus, he allows Lazarus to die in order to manifest the glory of God.

3. What is striking about what the disciples say to Jesus in verse 8? Recall our studies in Lessons 1 and 4 about light and darkness. How does what we learned in these studies help us understand why Jesus responds to the disciples here by speaking of walking in the light of the day and not stumbling?
(a) The disciples are wondering why Jesus would endanger Himself. (b) Since the "light" is truth and salvation, Jesus explains that one who walks in the light has no reason to fear.

4. What do verses 22 and 24-27 reveal about Martha's faith? What does verse 40 add to our understanding of Martha's faith in Jesus?
(a) That she believed in the power of Christ and in the Resurrection, but did not understand it's implications. (b) This illustrates that Jesus is revealing to Martha what He means by calling Himself the "resurrection". In other words, the Kingdom of God is at hand and the Messiah has arrived.

5. Read verses 33-35. What does John help us to see about Jesus? Where else in the gospels do we hear of Jesus being troubled and even sorrowful unto death?
(a) John helps us to see Jesus' humanity. (b) In the garden of Gesthsem'ane at the start of His Passion:

36: Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsem'ane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here, while I go yonder and pray." 37: And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zeb'edee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38: Then he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me." (Matt 26:36-38)

6. What is the significance of Jesus' words in verses 41-43?
(a) The signficance is that Jesus wants those around to understand why He is going to raise Lazarus from the dead.

7. Throughout John's gospel, we see him take care to provide even small details. For example, in verse 1 of today's reading, he notes, It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair (v. 2) and that Mary sat in the house (v. 20). Given that John normally provides these kinds of details, what is striking about what he doesn't mention following verse 44?
(a) John does not tell us about how Mary, Martha, or Lazarus reacted to Lazarus' being resurrected from the dead. Also, we note that Lazarus is referred to not by name, but as "the dead man".

8. In verse 45, what do we learn happened immediately as a result of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead? What about in verses 46-53? What is so significant about these events?
(a) That many of the Jews believed in Him. (b) That others went to report to the Pharisees. The Pharisees then decided to kill Jesus.

9. Is Lazarus the only person Jesus ever raised from the dead? (Hint, see Matthew 9:18-26; Mark 5:41-42; Luke 8:40-56 and Luke 7:11-15.)
(a) No.

18: While he was thus speaking to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, "My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live." 19: And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. 20: And behold, a woman who had suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment; 21: for she said to herself, "If I only touch his garment, I shall be made well." 22: Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well." And instantly the woman was made well. 23: And when Jesus came to the ruler's house, and saw the flute players, and the crowd making a tumult, 24: he said, "Depart; for the girl is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him. 25: But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26: And the report of this went through all that district. (Matt 9:18-26)

41: Taking her by the hand he said to her, "Tal'itha cu'mi"; which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise." 42: And immediately the girl got up and walked (she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. (Mark 5:41-42)

40: Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. 41: And there came a man named Ja'irus, who was a ruler of the synagogue; and falling at Jesus' feet he besought him to come to his house, 42: for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. As he went, the people pressed round him. 43: And a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years and could not be healed by any one, 44: came up behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment; and immediately her flow of blood ceased. 45: And Jesus said, "Who was it that touched me?" When all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the multitudes surround you and press upon you!" 46: But Jesus said, "Some one touched me; for I perceive that power has gone forth from me." 47: And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. 48: And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace." 49: While he was still speaking, a man from the ruler's house came and said, "Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more." 50: But Jesus on hearing this answered him, "Do not fear; only believe, and she shall be well." 51: And when he came to the house, he permitted no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. 52: And all were weeping and bewailing her; but he said, "Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping." 53: And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54: But taking her by the hand he called, saying, "Child, arise." 55: And her spirit returned, and she got up at once; and he directed that something should be given her to eat. 56: And her parents were amazed; but he charged them to tell no one what had happened. (Lk 8:40-56)

11: Soon afterward he went to a city called Na'in, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. 12: As he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a large crowd from the city was with her. 13: And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep." 14: And he came and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." 15: And the dead man sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother." (Lk 7:11-15)

10. Read verse 54 in conjunction with verse 8. Why do you suppose Jesus is willing to go about publicly before the resurrection of Lazarus even though the Jews wanted to stone Him, but not after Lazarus had been brought back from the dead?
(a) Because Jesus now knew that His hour was at hand.

Disclaimer: I do not wish to present myself as an expert in either theology, history, or scriptural interpretation. I am merely someone who is attempting to answer the call of Christ. The ultimate authority and interpreter of scripture is our Holy Catholic Church. If at any point I deviate from the teachings of the Church, please correct me, alfredo@nevarez.net, as this is my shortcoming and in no way meant to be an expression of my views superceding those of the Church founded by Jesus Christ.

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Alfredo Nevarez
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