It is a tribute to John’s interest in historical detail that he mentions how long Lazarus has been dead (11:17, 39) and the exact location of Bethany. Because the ancient world did not have precise methods to monitor death or coma, most rabbis held theories about the impossibility of resuscitation after three or four days of death. Our story is making one point: Lazarus was fully dead by anyone’s standards, and the miracle (11:43–44) involves resurrection, not resuscitation.

When Jesus enters the hill country, it is clear that the customary mourning is under way (11:18–19, 31). (Mark 5:38–39 provides an interesting parallel.) Although Martha is the first to greet Jesus on the road (11:20–27), …