Thomas perfectly expresses the disciples’ confused frustration by saying, “Let us also go, that we may die with him” (John 11:16)-he saw that Jesus was resolute, but knew the dangers of such a trip (John 11:8). Then Jesus told them plainly that Lazarus had died, but they were still going to see him (John 11:14). The disciples responded, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better,” clearly thinking of physical sleep (John 11:12). During Jesus’ delay, Lazarus died, but Jesus referred to Lazarus as “asleep” and told the disciples He was going to wake him up (John 11:11). Then Jesus stayed two days where He was before suggesting going back to Judea, where Lazarus was but also where Jesus’ enemies had also recently tried to stone Him (John 11:5–8). He started by saying that the illness would not lead to death rather, it would be for God’s glory (John 11:4). Jesus then puzzled His disciples and friends. Once, an urgent message came from Bethany to Jesus: His friend Lazarus had become ill, and Mary and Martha wanted Jesus to come and heal him, for he was near death. These three siblings were friends and disciples of Jesus, and they were people Jesus loved (John 11:5). The second Lazarus, also called Lazarus of Bethany, was the brother of Mary and Martha. The Lazarus in Jesus’ story does not appear anywhere else in the Bible, and we do not know when in the timeline of history he may have lived, if he was a real person. Either way, Jesus’ teaching on the reality of heaven and hell is clear.

Because of these details, the story of Lazarus and the rich man could be a true account, relating the actual fates of Lazarus and the unbelieving rich man. However, Jesus uses actual names in the story, He does not interpret the story, and neither does He add a moral to the end.

Some Bible scholars believe that Jesus was telling a parable, that is, a fictional story not meant to be a literal account.

Both men died, and Jesus tells of how Lazarus was taken to “Abraham’s side,” a place of comfort and rest, while the rich man went to “Hades,” a place of conscious torment (Luke 16:22–23). He often stayed at the gate of a rich man in hopes of getting scraps from his table. Lazarus was very poor, probably homeless, and definitely a beggar (Luke 16:20). The first Lazarus is the subject of a story told by Jesus (Luke 16:19–31). There are two men called Lazarus in the Bible.

Lazarus tomb