Lenten Season · Fifth Sunday of Lent · Year C
If Third Scrutiny of the Elect: John 11:1-45 or John 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45
The Death of Lazarus
April 2, 2028
Overview & Insights
“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” (John 11:25)
Jesus’ mysterious escape (v. 39) ends the confrontation at Solomon’s Colonnade in the temple at the Feast of Dedication (cf. v. 22), just as his earlier escape had ended the confrontation in the temple at the Feast of Tabernacles (cf. 8:59). This time he leaves Jerusalem itself, the scene of his activities since 7:14, and returns to Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where he has spent time with John the Baptist and begun to gather a group of disciples (vv. 40–42; cf. 1:19–51; 3:26). The earlier narrative implied that Jesus had a place to stay in Bethany (1:38–39), and it was there perhaps that he stayed again (v. 40).
From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.
Take it further
Commentary
Commentary on John 11:1-45 Working Preacher
Lectionary commentary on love, death, and Jesus's raising of Lazarus.
John 11 Commentary Enduring Word
Verse-by-verse commentary on the death and raising of Lazarus.
John 11:1-45 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed preaching commentary on doubt and love in the face of Jesus's delay.
John 11 Commentary Precept Austin
Detailed study notes on Jesus as the resurrection and the life.
John 11 - Haydock Commentary Online Haydock
Catholic verse-by-verse commentary on the raising of Lazarus.
Commentary on John 11:1-45 workingpreacher.org
A second, distinct Lutheran commentary (different year and author) on the raising of Lazarus, kept separate from the one used on the All Souls Gospel page.
The Raising of Lazarus, Fifth Sunday in Lent Year A catholicproductions.com
Catholic Productions' walkthrough of this exact Scrutiny Gospel.
Background & Word Study
John 11 parallel commentaries BibleHub
Aggregated interlinear and commentary tools for word-level study of the chapter.
John 11:1 Interlinear biblehub.com
Greek text of the opening verse naming Lazarus of Bethany.
John 11:35 Interlinear biblehub.com
Greek text of 'Jesus wept,' the passage's shortest and most quoted verse.
The Church Fathers
Tractate 49 on the Gospel of John (Augustine) New Advent
Augustine's patristic exposition opening his treatment of the Lazarus narrative.
John 11:25 Catena Bible
Passage-keyed patristic commentary on Jesus as the resurrection and the life.
John 11 (Catena, v.1) catenabible.com
Patristic comment keyed to the chapter's opening verse.
Sermons & Reflections
Worship & Prayers
Death, Lent 5 (A) episcopalchurch.org
An individual preached homily built on this Gospel.
In Trust and Hope, Lent 5 (A) episcopalchurch.org
A second individual preached homily on the same reading.
No One Asks, Lent 5 (A) episcopalchurch.org
A third individual preached homily on the raising of Lazarus.
When Jesus Shows Up, Lent 5 (A) episcopalchurch.org
A fourth individual preached homily on the same Gospel.
Study Hub
Mass Readings Explained: The Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year A Catholic Productions
Dr. Pitre's Catholic study of resurrection and new life across the Sunday's readings.
Barnes' Notes on John 11 StudyLight
Classic verse-by-verse notes on the chapter, useful for close reading.
John 11:25 Commentaries biblehub.com
Aggregator of multiple commentaries on the passage's key verse.
Questions preachers ask
Why is the raising of Lazarus read near the end of Lent?
Calling Lazarus from the tomb, Jesus reveals himself as the resurrection and the life on the eve of his own death and rising.
Prep at sermons.com
Ready to write?
- Full sermons on John 8:1-11
- Illustrations cleared for use in worship
- Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Trusted by pastors since 1995.
Free every Tuesday
Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox
The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.