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Lenten Season · Year A

Fifth Sunday of Lent

March 22, 2026

The Raising of Lazarus, Sebastiano del Piombo
The Raising of Lazarus, Sebastiano del Piombo, 1517–1519National Gallery, London
Painted in direct competition with Raphael's Transfiguration for the same cathedral, with Michelangelo supplying drawings for the figures. It was the first picture the National Gallery ever bought.It is the whole of John 11, including the people holding their noses, which the painting does not leave out.Sebastiano del PiomboA Venetian who moved to Rome, allied himself with Michelangelo against Raphael, and later took a papal sinecure that largely ended his painting.National Gallery, LondonFounded in 1824 by buying one banker's collection, and deliberately placed in Trafalgar Square so that people from every part of London could walk to it.National Gallery, London
Roman Lectionary
GospelJohn 11:1-45Jn 11:1-45 orJohn 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45Jn 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45Alt. GospelIf Third Scrutiny of the Elect: John 11:1-45If Third Scrutiny of the Elect: Jn 11:1-45 orJohn 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45Jn 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45
Second ReadingRom. 8:8-11Rom 8:8-11Alt. 2nd ReadingIf Third Scrutiny of the Elect: Romans 8:8-11If Third Scrutiny of the Elect: Rom 8:8-11
First ReadingEzek. 37:12-14Ez 37:12-14Alt. 1st ReadingIf Third Scrutiny of the Elect: Ezekiel 37:12-14If Third Scrutiny of the Elect: Ez 37:12-14
Responsorial PsalmPs. 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 (7)Ps 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 (7)Alt. PsalmIf Third Scrutiny of the Elect: Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 (7)If Third Scrutiny of the Elect: Ps 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 (7)

Overview & Insights

"I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live." (John 11:25)

Jesus delays two days before going to Bethany, where Lazarus has already been dead four days by the time he arrives. Martha and Mary each meet him with the same grief and the same confession of faith, and Jesus, deeply moved and in tears, calls Lazarus out of the tomb.

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Take it further: John 11:1-45 or John 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45

Commentary

Commentary on John 11:1-45Commentary on Jn 11:1-45 Working Preacher

Working Preacher notes that this is the sign that incites the plot for Jesus' own arrest and death, and works through the long form's full dialogue with Martha.

John 11:1-45 CommentaryJn 11:1-45 Commentary CEP

CEP treats the full forty-five verses, including the debate over why Jesus wept before the tomb.

John 11 CommentaryJn 11 Commentary Enduring Word

David Guzik's verse by verse notes cover the long form's exchanges with both Martha and Mary before the raising itself.

John 11 CommentaryJn 11 Commentary Precept Austin

Precept Austin's notes work through the whole chapter, including the delay and the crowd's reaction the short form compresses.

John 11:25 CommentariesJn 11:25 Commentaries BibleHub

BibleHub stacks classic commentaries on verse 25, I am the resurrection and the life.

John 11 - Barnes' Notes and Gill's ExpositionJn 11 - Barnes' Notes and Gill's Exposition StudyLight (Barnes/Gill)

StudyLight stacks Barnes and Gill's older exegetical notes across the whole long-form chapter.

Background & Word Study

John 11:25 Interlinear GreekJn 11:25 Interlinear Greek BibleHub interlinear

The Greek interlinear shows the present tense claim behind I am the resurrection and the life.

Gospel of John Summary | Watch an Overview Video (Part 1)Gospel of Jn Summary | Watch an Overview Video (Part 1) BibleProject

BibleProject's overview of John 1-12 places this sign as the climactic seventh sign before the passion narrative.

The Church Fathers

John 11 - Catena Aurea / Church FathersJn 11 - Catena Aurea / Church Fathers Catena

Catena gathers patristic comment on the raising, including readings of Jesus' tears and his prayer before the tomb.

Sermons & Reflections

Fifth Sunday of Lent, Cycle A Loyola Sunday Connection

Loyola's Sunday Connection ties the raising of Lazarus to the day's theme of hope in the resurrection.

The Raising of Lazarus (John 11) Explained by Dr. Brant PitreThe Raising of Lazarus (Jn 11) Explained by Dr. Brant Pitre Catholic Productions / Brant Pitre

Brant Pitre walks through why Jesus wept and waited four days, reading the sign as pointing toward the resurrection to come.

Podcast

Fifth Sunday in Lent - March 22, 2026 Sermon Brainwave

The Sermon Brainwave hosts discuss grief, the interplay of Jesus' divine and human natures, and the raising itself.

Study Hub

John 11:1-45Jn 11:1-45 Textweek

Textweek collects links to dozens of sermons and articles on the long-form passage.

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  • Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
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