The Baptismal Raising of Lazarus: A New Interpretation of John 11

Though well hidden, the theme of baptism informs the whole story of the raising of Lazarus (John 11). The note about Jesus' sojourn at the very place where John the Baptist had previously been active (John 10:40-42) forms the introduction to the Lazarus story. Just as a musical clef dictates pi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inNovum Testamentum Vol. 58; no. 3; pp. 301 - 317
Main Author Lang, Bernhard
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Brill 01.01.2016
Subjects
Baptism
Death
Funerary rituals
Literary genres
Miracles
Narratives
Novels
Religious rituals
Resurrection
Tombs
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Summary:Though well hidden, the theme of baptism informs the whole story of the raising of Lazarus (John 11). The note about Jesus' sojourn at the very place where John the Baptist had previously been active (John 10:40-42) forms the introduction to the Lazarus story. Just as a musical clef dictates pitch, this passage announces the theme: baptism. Once readers are set on this track, they cannot miss the hidden point. Ritually, the person being baptised is pushed into the realm of death, so that he can emerge to a new life.
ISSN:0048-1009
1568-5365
DOI:10.1163/15685365-12341531