Mary, Martha and Lazarus live in Bethany that is about 2 miles from Jerusalem (11:18). #2 – Where is Jesus’ Bethany? There are two Bethany’s in John 11, though only one is mentioned by name. Had Jesus resurrected him on day two or three, it could have been cause for some to wonder whether it was merely a resuscitation of some sort instead of a true resurrection. But if it reflects the popular opinion or teaching of many Jews back then, it may give added significance to the emphasis on Lazarus being in the grave for four days. We must keep in mind that this is extra-biblical Jewish tradition. But once the body starts to decompose and the corpse changes color, the soul knows there is no going back and depart once and for all. In other words, the soul hovers around the body for three days after death, hoping for re-entrance. In the Talmud (a source of Jewish tradition), it says, “The whole strength of the mourning is not till the third day for three days long the soul returns to the grave, thinking that it will return (into the body) when however it sees that the color of its face has changed then it goes away and leaves it” ( Gen. Jewish tradition shortly after the time of Christ (which likely reflects beliefs during the time of Christ) teaches that the dead body is not truly and finally dead until the fourth day. But there may have been some added significance to the fourth day. She connects this with the odor that was likely to be associated with a corpse buried for that length of time. #1 – The significance of four days Martha makes a big deal of Lazarus being in the grave for four days (11:39 cf. Strangely enough, each area that caught my attention centered around the same topic: Lazarus being in the grave for four days. During my study of John 11 this week, there were a few tidbits and issues that came up that I knew I wouldn’t be able to fully work out in the sermon (especially one as long as this sermon!).
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