ACC ~ John 11 v14

LAZARUS BEGINS TO BE WHAT HE HAD BEEN

POTAMIUS OF LISBON Lazarus, this intimate friend of God, died, as is known through the testimony of the Gospel. According to John, for forty years he had compensated for the losses of the flesh by the actions of his will. And so after a quick death which was due to his earthly frame, that is, to earth itself more than humanity—according to the book of Genesis [1] the rich fluidity of clay is responsible for us as well—while Christ the judge was far away, imparting the gifts of salvation on the borders of Judea, Lazarus was buried and placed in the tomb in order that he might begin to be what he had been—clay. ON LAZARUS. [2]

[1] See Gen 2:7.

[2] CCL 69A:166.

NO HINT YET OF THE MIRACLE TO COME

CHRYSOSTOM When he said, “He sleeps,” he added, “I go to awake him.” But when he said, “He is dead,” he did not add, “I go to raise him.” For he would not foretell in words what he was about to confirm by his deeds. He is always teaching us not to look for glory and not to make promises without a reason for doing so. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 62.2. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 14:228**.

PHYSICIANS NORMALLY DO EVERYTHING TO SAVE LIFE

EPHREM THE SYRIAN All physicians wear themselves out for their patient lest he die. But Lazarus’s physician was waiting for his death in order to show his victory over death. COMMENTARY ON TATIAN’S DIATESSARON 17.3. [1]

[1] ECTD 262*.

JESUS HEALS DEATH

AUGUSTINE He had been sent for in order to restore Lazarus from sickness, not from death. But how could the death be hidden from him into whose hands the soul of the dead had flown? TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 49.11. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 7:274**; CCL 36:425.