[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. |
| Laz·a·rus (lāz'ər-əs) In the New Testament, the brother of Mary and Martha. |
| Lazarus, Emma 1849-1887. American writer. Her poem "The New Colossus" is inscribed on the base of the Statue of Liberty in Upper New York Bay. |
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.”
Lazarus
an abbreviation of Eleazar, whom God helps. (1.) The brother of Mary and Martha of Bethany. He was raised from the dead after he had lain four days in the tomb (John 11:1-44). This miracle so excited the wrath of the Jews that they sought to put both Jesus and Lazarus to death. (2.) A beggar named in the parable recorded Luke 16:19-31.