LAZARUS

from Hebrew Eleazar (God Has Helped), either of two figures mentioned in the New Testament. The story of Lazarus is known from the Gospel narrative of John (11:18, 30, 32, 38). Lazarus of Bethany was the brother of Martha and Mary and lived at Bethany, near Jerusalem. When Lazarus died, he was raised by Jesus from the dead after he had been entombed for four days. This miraculous raising of Lazarus from the dead inspired many Jews to believe in Jesus as the Christ. Lazarus is also the name given by Luke (ch. 16) to the beggar in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. It is the only proper name attached to a character in the parables of Jesus.