Lazarus

Lazarus of Bethany was the brother of Mary and Martha, described in the Gospel of John as a close friend of Jesus. His death and resurrection—called forth by Jesus after he had been in the tomb four days—is the seventh and climactic sign in John's Gospel (John 11:1–44), demonstrating Jesus's claim 'I am the resurrection and the life' (John 11:25). The narrative includes the shortest verse in the New Testament, 'Jesus wept' (John 11:35), reflecting genuine human grief alongside divine power. The raising of Lazarus precipitated the Sanhedrin's decision to have Jesus arrested and killed (John 11:45–53), and at the anointing supper in Bethany (John 12:1–8) Lazarus was a living exhibit of Jesus's power, drawing crowds and prompting plots against him as well.