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Lent · Fifth Sunday in Lent · Year A

John 11:17-27, 38-53

The Raising of Lazarus

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
LSB Three-Year Lectionary
GospelJn. 11:1-45 (46-53)Jn 11:1-45 (46-53)Alt. GospelJn. 11:17-27, 38-53Jn 11:17-27, 38-53
EpistleRom. 8:1-11Rom 8:1-11
Old TestamentEzek. 37:1-14Ez 37:1-14
PsalterPs. 130Ps 130

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 going to his sick friend Lazarus, arriving in Bethany after Lazarus has been dead four days, and meets first Martha's and then Mary's grief with his own tears. At the tomb he orders the stone rolled away and calls Lazarus out by name, then tells the crowd to unbind him and let him go.

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Take it further: John 11:17-27, 38-53

Commentary

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

Notes that Lazarus is really dead by Jewish reckoning of the soul's departure, which sharpens the sign that follows.

John 11:1-45 CommentaryJn 11:1-45 Commentary CEP (Center for Excellence in Preaching)

Reads unbind him and let him go as the resurrected life in miniature.

John 11 Commentary: Jesus Raises Lazarus from the DeadJn 11 Commentary: Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead Enduring Word

Full verse by verse treatment of Martha and Mary's exchanges with Jesus and the raising itself.

John 11 CommentaryJn 11 Commentary Precept Austin

Word studies on key terms including sleep, resurrection, and the stench Martha warns of.

John 11:1 CommentariesJn 11:1 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregates classic commentators verse by verse across the whole Lazarus narrative.

John 11 CommentaryJn 11 Commentary StudyLight (Barnes)

Plain historical notes on Bethany's proximity to Jerusalem and Jewish burial customs behind the four day detail.

Background & Word Study

John 11:1 InterlinearJn 11:1 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek text word by word for the opening report of Lazarus' illness.

Gospel of John Overview (Part 1)Gospel of Jn Overview (Part 1) BibleProject

Covers chapters 1 through 12 and situates the Lazarus sign as the climax of John's first half.

The Church Fathers

John 11, patristic commentaryJn 11, patristic commentary Catena

Verse by verse commentary from the church fathers on this chapter, gathered from the catenae.

Sermons & Reflections

When Jesus Wept Journey with Jesus

Reflects on Jesus' own grief at the tomb even though he knows he is about to raise Lazarus.

Death, Lent 5 (A) Sermons That Work

An Anglican preaching voice on how this long reading reaches into the core of grief and hope.

Podcast

#1074: Fifth Sunday in Lent - March 22, 2026 Working Preacher (Sermon Brainwave)

Luther Seminary’s homiletics roundtable on this Sunday’s appointed texts, including John 11:17-27, 38-53.

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