37-00
Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead
This title can also be translated as: “About how Jesus made Lazarus alive again” or “How did Jesus make Lazarus alive again?”
37-01
There was a man named Lazarus. He had two sisters, named Mary and Martha. They were all close friends of Jesus.
This introduces Lazarus and his sisters as new characters in the story, and also provides background information about their relationship to Jesus. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/writing-background/01.md]], [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/writing-participants/01.md]])
One day
This phrase introduces an event that happened in the past, but does not state the specific time. Many languages have a similar way to begin telling a true story. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/writing-newevent/01.md]])
Mary
Jesus’ mother was also named Mary. This was a different woman.
This sickness will not end with Lazarus dying
This can also be translated as: “The final result of this sickness will not be the death of Lazarus” or “Lazarus is sick, but death is not the final result of this sickness.” Jesus’ disciples probably thought this meant that Lazarus would not die. But Jesus knew that, although Lazarus would die from his sickness, he would live in the end. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-explicit/01.md]])
37-02
Jesus loved his friends
This is background information about Jesus’ relationship to Lazarus and his sisters. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/writing-background/01.md]])
but he waited where he was for two days
This could be translated as: “but he stayed where he was for two days, even though they wanted him to go and heal Lazarus.”
just a short time ago the people there wanted to kill you!
The disciples said this to emphasize the great danger Jesus faced if he went to Judea. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-exclamations/01.md]])
Judea
This refers to the southern section of Israel, which was settled by the tribe of Judah. Some languages will prefer to say: “the region of Judea.”
has fallen asleep
This is an idiom that means Lazarus has died. Translate this phrase with the normal word for asleep in your language. Although Jesus was using this word with a different meaning, the disciples did not understand that yet. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-idiom/01.md]])
I must wake him
Here wake is an idiom that means Jesus would make Lazarus alive again. Translate this phrase with the normal word for wake in your language. Although Jesus was using this word with a different meaning, the disciples did not understand that yet. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-idiom/01.md]])
37-03
he will get better
The disciples intended this in the sense of: there is no reason for us to go to him now, since he will get well.
I am glad
This could be translated as: “I am happy” or “It is good that.” It does not mean he was happy that Lazarus died, but rather that he was happy that God was going to show how great he is.
37-04
When Jesus arrived at Lazarus’ hometown, Lazarus had already been dead for four days
This is background information about the setting and about what has happened before Jesus arrived. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/writing-background/01.md]])
Martha
Martha was the sister of Lazarus and Mary (See: 37:01).
went out to meet Jesus
This could mean went to meet Jesus as he was coming into the town.
if only you had been here, my brother would not have died
Martha is stating a hypothetical situation—what could have happened if Jesus had not waited for Lazarus to die before he came. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-hypo/01.md]])
my brother would not have died
This could mean you would have healed my brother and he would not have died or you could have prevented my brother from dying.
will give you whatever you ask from him
This could mean will do whatever you ask him to do.
37-05
I am the Resurrection and the Life
This is one of several very powerful I am statements in which Jesus says something about his essential nature. In this one, Jesus indicates that he is the provider or source of resurrection and life. If possible, translate this phrase in a way that makes it clear that this is his essential nature. This can also be translated as: “I am the one who resurrects people and causes them to live.”
will live, even though he dies.
This could mean will live forever, even though he dies. The English word, he does not only refer to men. Women who believe in Jesus will also live forever.
will never die
This can also be translated as: “will live forever.”
Martha
Martha was the sister of Lazarus and Mary (See: 37:01).
the Son of God
This is an important title for Jesus. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples/01.md]])
37-06
Mary
This was the same woman as in 37:01, not the mother of Jesus.
fell at the feet of Jesus
This could mean knelt down at Jesus’ feet as a sign of respect. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/translate-symaction/01.md]])
if only you had been here, my brother would not have died
Mary is stating a hypothetical situation—what could have happened if Jesus had not waited for Lazarus to die before he came. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-hypo/01.md]])
my brother would not have died
This could mean you could have kept my brother from dying or you could have prevented my brother’s death or my brother would still be alive.
37-07
The tomb was a cave with a stone rolled in front of its opening
This is background information about the tomb where they had buried Lazarus. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/writing-background/01.md]])
he told them, “Roll the stone away.”
This is direct quotation. It can also be stated as an indirect quotation: “he told them to roll the stone away.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-quotations/01.md]])
he told them
This could mean he told the men there. He was probably not telling Mary and Martha to roll the stone away.
Roll the stone away
Some languages may prefer to say: “Roll the stone away from the opening of the tomb.”
Martha
Martha was the sister of Lazarus and Mary (See: 37:01).
He has been dead for four days
This could also be translated as: “He died four days ago and his body is lying there.”
37-08
Did I not tell you that you would see God’s power if you believe in me?
This could mean Remember that I told you that you would see God’s power if you believe in me. Jesus is not asking this question in order to get an answer, so some languages should translate this as a command. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-rquestion/01.md]])
see God’s power
This could mean see the power of God displayed or see God show how powerful he is.
rolled the stone away
Some languages should say: “rolled the stone away from the opening of the tomb.”
37-09
Father
This is an important title for God the Father. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples/01.md]])
hearing me
This could mean listening to me. It may be helpful to add: “as I pray to you” or “when I talk to you.”
Lazarus, come out!
Jesus used this exclamation as a strong command to Lazarus. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-exclamations/01.md]])
come out
Some languages may prefer to say: “come out of the tomb.”
37-10
Lazarus came out!
This exclamation emphasizes the shocking fact that Lazarus, who had been dead, walked out of the tomb. Some languages should say: “Lazarus came out of the tomb!” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-exclamations/01.md]])
He was still wrapped in grave clothes
This background information about Lazarus wearing grave clothes makes clear that Lazarus went directly from being dead to walking out of the tomb at Jesus’ command. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/writing-background/01.md]], [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-explicit/01.md]])
grave clothes
This could mean burial clothes. This can also be translated as: “burial bandages” or “strips of cloth.”
Many of the Jews believed in Jesus because of this miracle
This sentence tells us what happened after Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/writing-background/01.md]])
because of this miracle
This could mean because God had done this amazing miracle or because Jesus had made Lazarus come alive again.
37-11
envied
This could mean were envious of Jesus’ power and popularity or envious that so many Jews were believing in Jesus.
gathered together
This could mean met together or joined together. This was a not a casual meeting, but a meeting for a specific purpose–to plan how to kill Jesus.
A Bible story from
These references may be slightly different in some Bible translations.