lazarus

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.

noun New Testament

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)

Biblical character (Luke xvi:20), the poor man covered in sores; his name was extended in medieval usage to “any poor and visibly diseased person” (cf. lazar, mid-14c., “one deformed and nauseous with filthy and pestilential diseases” [Johnson]). The name is from a Greek rendition of Hebrew El’azar, literally “God has helped.” 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.)