Topic: Did Lazarus die only once?

Date originally posted: March 13, 2002

Source of this posting: Moderator response to emailed question

Moderator who originally posted this source: J. Ruffo

Question: In the story of the raising of Lazarus, we know that Lazarus really died.  My question concerns Hebrews 9:27, where men are appointed to die once.  How does this apply to Lazarus?  Was he raised with a ressurected body or his old body to die again?

Answer: 

Dear Tony, 

Just goes to show ya: “There’s an exception to every rule”.   

Lazarus certainly did die, as we know from the Gospel account.  Jesus raised him from the dead, so in one sense Lazarus did have a “resurrected” body, but it was really his “old body” resurrected to die again.  It was still bound with the same old cloths they’d wrapped him up in.  Hopefully, he took a quick shower.  He didn’t have a “glorified body” like the saints in heaven; he didn’t go to heaven and get sent back again, else he would have complained vehemently to Jesus and his relatives there for bringing him back here!

 So, in reality, Lazarus died twice!  He surpasses the general rule of Hebrews 9:27.  He really beat death, through the intervention of Jesus.  He lives here a bit longer and dies again later entering his eternal life for good.

Father John