[laz-er-uh
s] 
| 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. |
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.)
Note: Someone who makes a comeback from obscurity is sometimes called a “Lazarus rising from the dead.”