Many scholars who specialize in the historical study of the New Testament approach the story of the Raising of Lazarus with a critical eye, and may view certain aspects of the story as non-historical or exaggerated.
Keith Yoder
Keith Yoder demonstrates in his paper, One and the Same? Lazarus in Luke and John, that the Lazarus of Luke 16 and the Lazarus of John 11-12 are largely one and the same. Yoder addresses such questions as (1) When was the story composed relative to the contiguous text? (2) How is it interwoven with the rest of John? (3) Whence came this otherwise unknown brother of Mary and Martha? (4) Why is his story here at this turn in the Fourth Gospel? The interpretation of John’s Lazarus narrative has languished in virtual stalemate for some time. Yoder brings new evidence to the table, to gain a fresh perspective on the composition of that story and its relationship to Luke 16, in the context of a carefully constructed array of network connections with earlier and later texts in John. Yoder identifies connections between Lazarus and the Temple Cleansing and how they illuminate why John moved his Cleansing from Crucifixion week all the way back to join with Jesus’ first miraculous sign at the wedding.
Keith L. Yoder. “One and the Same? Lazarus in Luke and John” Novum Testamentum Vol. 64 Iss. 2 (2022) p. 184 – 209 ISSN: 1568-5365
PDF Download Available at: https://works.bepress.com/klyoder/60/download/
Warren Carter
Warren Carter is a New Testament scholar who has written extensively on the Gospel of John and the historical Jesus. In his book "John and Empire: Initial Explorations," Carter argues that the Gospel of John was written in the context of the Roman Empire, and that it reflects the social, political, and religious tensions of its time.
Regarding the story of the Raising of Lazarus, Carter suggests that it should be read as a "sign" or "miracle" story that conveys a theological message, rather than as a straightforward historical account. He notes that the story contains several elements that are characteristic of miracle stories in the ancient world, such as the emphasis on eyewitness testimony and the portrayal of Jesus as a powerful wonder-worker.
Carter also points out that the story of Lazarus appears only in the Gospel of John, which was written later than the other three canonical gospels. He suggests that this may indicate that the story was a later addition to the Christian tradition, rather than a historical account of a specific event.
Overall, while Carter does not explicitly argue that the story of Lazarus is entirely fictional, he approaches it with a critical eye and suggests that its historicity may be called into question.
James Dunn
James Dunn was a New Testament scholar who passed away in 2020. He was known for his work on the historical Jesus, the New Testament, and early Christianity. Regarding the historicity of the Raising of Lazarus, Dunn's views are somewhat nuanced.
In his book "The Evidence for Jesus," Dunn suggests that while the story of the Raising of Lazarus may have some historical basis, it has been embellished and mythologized over time. He notes that the story contains several elements that are characteristic of miracle stories in the ancient world, such as the emphasis on eyewitness testimony and the portrayal of Jesus as a powerful wonder-worker.
However, Dunn also argues that the story has theological significance, and that it serves as a powerful symbol of Jesus' power over death and his ability to bring new life. He suggests that the story should be read primarily as a theological narrative, rather than as a straightforward historical account.
C.K. Barrett
C.K. Barrett was a British New Testament scholar and theologian who wrote extensively on the Gospel of John.
Regarding the historicity of the Raising of Lazarus, Barrett suggested that the story should be read as a theological narrative rather than as a historical account. In his commentary on the Gospel of John, he noted that the story contains several elements that are typical of miracle stories in the ancient world, such as the emphasis on eyewitness testimony and the portrayal of Jesus as a powerful wonder-worker.
Barrett also noted that the story is unique among the miracle stories in the Gospel of John, in that it is portrayed as a "sign" rather than a straightforward miracle. He suggested that the story should be understood as a symbolic representation of Jesus' power over death and his ability to bring new life.
Rudolf Bultmann
Rudolf Bultmann was a German Lutheran theologian and New Testament scholar who was one of the most influential theologians of the 20th century.
In his study of the Gospel of John, Bultmann argued that the Gospel was not intended to be read as a historical account of Jesus' life and teachings, but rather as a highly symbolic and theological work. He suggested that the story of Lazarus was not a historical account of an actual event, but rather a symbolic narrative designed to convey theological meaning.
Bultmann suggested that the story of Lazarus was meant to emphasize Jesus' power over death and to prepare readers for the coming resurrection of Jesus. He noted that the story contained many symbolic elements, such as the use of the number four (which he suggested represented the four directions of the world), the emphasis on the timing of Lazarus' death and resurrection (which he suggested was meant to parallel Jesus' own death and resurrection), and the portrayal of Lazarus as a representative of humanity (who is raised from death by Jesus).
Harold Attridge
Harold Attridge was an American biblical scholar and theologian who was known for his work on the New Testament and early Christianity. He was a leading figure in the study of the Gospel of John, and his approach to the text emphasized its literary and theological dimensions.
In his study of the Gospel of John, Attridge argued that the story of Lazarus was not intended to be a historical account of an actual event, but rather a highly symbolic and theological narrative. He suggested that the story was designed to convey the author's theological concerns, including the themes of life, death, and resurrection.
Attridge noted that the story of Lazarus contains many elements that are typical of ancient literary fiction, including the detailed descriptions of characters and settings, the use of dialogue, and the inclusion of dramatic events. He suggested that these literary features are evidence that the story was not intended as a straightforward historical account, but rather as a literary creation designed to convey theological meaning.
Despite his view that the story of Lazarus is a literary creation, Attridge did not dismiss its significance for the Gospel of John or for the broader Christian tradition. Rather, he argued that the story is a powerful and evocative narrative that speaks to fundamental aspects of Christian faith and belief.
Gerd Theissen
Gerd Theissen is a German Protestant theologian and New Testament scholar who is known for his contributions to the study of early Christianity and the historical Jesus. He has written extensively on the Gospel of John and the story of Lazarus.
In his book "The Miracle Stories of the Early Christian Tradition," Theissen argues that the story of Lazarus is a literary creation rather than a historical account of an actual event. He suggests that the story was intended to convey theological meaning and to establish Jesus as a powerful figure with the ability to perform miracles.
Theissen notes that the story of Lazarus contains several features that are typical of ancient literary fiction, including the emphasis on dialogue, the use of vivid imagery, and the inclusion of dramatic events. He argues that these features suggest that the story was not intended as a straightforward historical account, but rather as a symbolic narrative designed to convey theological ideas.
Despite his view that the story of Lazarus is a literary creation, Theissen emphasizes the importance of understanding the social and historical context in which it was written. He notes that the story reflects the concerns and beliefs of the early Christian community and sheds light on the ways in which they understood Jesus and his role in the world.
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