Lazarus

[laz-er-uhs]

noun

1. the diseased beggar in the parable of the rich man and the beggar. Luke 16:19–31.

2. a brother of Mary and Martha whom Jesus raised from the dead. John 11:1–44; 12:1–18.

3. Emma, 1849–87, U.S. poet.

Lazarus

/ ˈlæzərəs /

noun

1. the brother of Mary and Martha, whom Jesus restored to life (John 11–12)

2. the beggar who lay at the gate of the rich man Dives in Jesus' parable (Luke 16:19–31)

Lazarus

1. A man brought back to life by Jesus after being in the tomb for four days. The incident is recorded in the Gospel of John. The raising of Lazarus is considered the crowning miracle or sign revealing Jesus as the giver of life. It also is the act that caused the enemies of Jesus to begin the plan to put Jesus to death. (See Crucifixion.)

Someone who makes a comeback from obscurity is sometimes called a “Lazarus rising from the dead.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of Lazarus¹

< Late Latin < Greek Lázaros < Hebrew Elʿāzār Eleazar (one God has helped)

Example Sentences

Lazarus Chakwera, Malawi's former president and the Commonwealth envoy, is due to arrive in Tanzania to lead reconciliation efforts between the two sides.

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One might as well use the story of the rich man and Lazarus to construct a map of the geographical relationship of heaven and hell.

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“This gives us the opportunity to chart our own path forward, create distinct brand identities, and establish an independent news organization following the spin,” Lazarus wrote in an August memo.

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Tourism to the area has all but withered away, said Hussein Hamad, the caretaker of the archaeological pilgrimage site in Ezariya thought to be the site of Lazarus’ tomb.

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“If we invoke the Monroe Doctrine, that is the biggest narrative gift that we can give to China,” says Leland Lazarus, a former special assistant to the head of U.S.

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