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 .)

Notes

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

After she dies, he finds Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus, and they become his wives.

From Vox

Finally, she follows the creative process as dancers at today’s Ailey American Dance Theater work on a new production of “Lazarus,” one of the late master’s most renowned pieces.

From Washington Blade

In 1993 a doctor described the Lazarus phenomenon in a seventy-five-year-old man with a lung hemorrhage.

From The Daily Beast

In medicine, Lazarus is the patient who, believed dead, spontaneously starts to circulate blood.

From The Daily Beast

In medicine, a ‘Lazarus patient’ is one who spontaneously starts circulating blood.

From The Daily Beast

Like Lazarus, Thad Cochran rose from the dead on Tuesday in Mississippi.

From The Daily Beast

After rising Lazarus-like from his wheelchair in the second season, he decided to leave Downton and try his luck in Hollywood.

From The Daily Beast

The resurrection of Lazarus is a transparent fabrication out of the parable of the rich man and Lazarus.

From Project Gutenberg

And this was all done in the story of Lazarus in such a way that it might surround every grave with illusions for centuries.

From Project Gutenberg

But Solomon in all his glory was dressed in his best; from Dives to Lazarus is largely a matter of garments.

From Project Gutenberg

The story of Lazarus, as we may easily conceive, was an especial favourite of the early Christian artists.

From Project Gutenberg

The seller's name was Mordecai, and the buyer of "the sole use of Simon forever," was a Mr. Lazarus.

From Project Gutenberg