A
large crowd therefore of the Jews learned that he was there, and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. But the chief priests conspired to put Lazarus to death also, because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.
John 12:9-11
John 12 [1.] Then six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, who had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. So they made him a supper there. Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with him. Mary, therefore, took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. Then Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, one of his disciples, who would betray him, said, “Why wasn’t this ointment sold for three hundred denarii, and given to the poor?” Now he said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and having the money box, used to steal what was put into it. But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She has kept this for the day of my burial. For you always have the poor with you, but you don’t always have me.”
John 12 [9.] A large crowd therefore of the Jews learned that he was there, and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. But the chief priests conspired to put Lazarus to death also, because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.
John 12 [12.] On the next day a great multitude had come to the feast. When they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they took the branches of the palm trees, and went out to meet him, and cried out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel!”
Meaning:
Jesus had come to Bethany six days before the Passover, and at a supper in his honour Mary had anointed his feet while Lazarus sat at the table (John 12:1-3). News of his arrival spread quickly to Jerusalem, crowded with pilgrims for the feast. These verses show the growing interest in Jesus and the growing hostility of the chief priests, which now reached out to Lazarus as well.
- “A large crowd therefore of the Jews learned that he was there”
Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, an easy walk for curious visitors. The raising of Lazarus was the talk of the city. Many had heard the story from those who had been present at the tomb (John 11:45), and now they wanted to see for themselves.
- “Not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also”
Lazarus had become living evidence of Jesus’ power. People wanted to see the man who had been four days in the tomb and was now alive. Curiosity is not the same as faith, but it can lead to faith. Some who came only to look went away believing. The next day the crowd that had witnessed the miracle would testify about it as Jesus entered Jerusalem (John 12:17-18).
- “But the chief priests conspired to put Lazarus to death also”
The council had already decided to kill Jesus (John 11:53). Now the chief priests planned to kill Lazarus too, though he had done nothing wrong. Their reasoning was ruthless: remove the evidence and the movement would fade.
The chief priests were mostly Sadducees, who taught that “there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit” (Acts 23:8). A man raised from the dead walking the streets of Bethany was a living contradiction of their teaching as well as a threat to their power. Rather than change their minds, they plotted murder. Jesus had said in his parable of another Lazarus, “If they don’t listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if one rises from the dead” (Luke 16:31). The chief priests proved how true this was.
- “On account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus”
“Went away” may mean that they left their former loyalty to the religious leaders. Lazarus did not need to preach; his life was his testimony. Whoever saw him was confronted with the power of Jesus. Like the man born blind, he could say, in effect, “though I was blind, now I see” (John 9:25).
John does not record what happened to Lazarus afterwards. What matters is that Jesus’ enemies could threaten his life, but they could not undo what Jesus had done.
The Significance of John 12:9-11
- Our lives as testimony
Lazarus drew people to Jesus simply by being alive. Every believer whom Christ has raised from spiritual death is a witness to his power. A changed life can speak as loudly as words.
- The cost of being associated with Jesus
Lazarus was in danger because of what Jesus had done for him. Followers of Christ may face opposition simply for belonging to him. Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul” (Matthew 10:28).
- When the heart refuses the evidence
The chief priests saw the evidence and responded by plotting to destroy it. Unbelief is often not a matter of the mind but of the will. Honest seekers must be willing to follow the truth wherever it leads.
Cross-References:
Luke 16:31: "If they don’t listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if one rises from the dead." Jesus’ words fulfilled in the chief priests’ response.
Acts 23:8: "For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection," The belief that Lazarus’ life contradicted.
Matthew 10:28: "Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul." Courage for those threatened because of Christ.
1 Peter 3:15: "always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you," Being ready to explain the hope we have.
Conclusion: Crowds came to Bethany to see not only Jesus but also Lazarus, the man he had raised from the dead. Because many believed in Jesus on account of Lazarus, the chief priests plotted to kill him as well. Their plan showed how far unbelief would go to resist the truth, while Lazarus’ life remained a powerful testimony to the Lord who gives life.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible