Why does this major miracle only appear in John and not in the other Gospels (John 11)?

Historicity and Context of John 11

John 11 recounts the raising of Lazarus from the dead and is notably absent from the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). This event unfolds in Bethany, a village approximately two miles east of Jerusalem, emphasizing both the imminence of Jesus’ final journey to the cross and the critical impact of this miracle in sparking the final opposition against Him (John 11:45–53). Although the other Gospels record different miraculous resurrections (e.g., Jairus’ daughter in Matthew 9; Mark 5; Luke 8), this particular account of Lazarus is unique to John’s Gospel.

The overall biblical record demonstrates that while multiple authors attest to the life and ministry of Jesus, each Gospel arranges its material for specific theological and missional purposes (cf. Luke 1:1–4). John’s decided focus is on presenting Jesus as the Divine Son of God (John 20:31). The account of Lazarus aligns perfectly with that theme: Jesus declares, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies” (John 11:25). This narrative serves as a climax in Jesus’ ministry, reinforcing His divine authority over life and death.

Distinctive Emphasis of John’s Gospel

John’s Gospel frequently highlights signs that demonstrate Jesus’ identity and underscores the deep theological significance of those signs (John 2:11; John 20:30–31). The Lazarus account fits within a pattern of seven major signs in John, each illustrating a different dimension of Jesus’ power and purpose. By the time John wrote his account (likely later in the first century), a theological and pastoral need existed to emphasize the full deity of Jesus and to strengthen believers in a rapidly expanding Church.

The Synoptic Gospels focus on the kingdom of God, ethical teachings, and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. John, by contrast, boldly and repeatedly announces Jesus as the eternal Word, the “Word [who] became flesh and made His dwelling among us” (John 1:14). The miracle of Lazarus, situated shortly before Jesus’ own death and resurrection, underscores this theme in a very particular way: raising a man dead for four days stands as an unmistakable demonstration of divine power. This exclusive inclusion reinforces John’s emphasis on Christ’s identity as the One who not only gives life but is life itself (John 14:6).

Literary and Theological Reasons for Omission in the Synoptics

1. Selective Narration: Each Gospel writer had a finite amount of space and chose material that best served his theological trajectory. The other Evangelists focused on certain miracles that illustrated Jesus’ authority, but they did not necessarily include every miracle He performed (cf. John 21:25).

2. Unique Thematic Structure: John builds his Gospel around specific “signs” culminating in the supreme sign of Christ’s resurrection. Providing the detailed account of Lazarus’s raising uniquely supports John’s portrayal of Jesus’ dominion over death, serving as a precursor to Christ’s own resurrection.

3. Timing of Composition: There is strong internal and early external evidence that John penned his Gospel later than Matthew, Mark, and Luke. It is plausible that the Lazarus event, while known in Christian tradition, found its fullest theological implications explored in John’s later writing.

4. Johannine Focus on Belief and Unbelief: Much of John’s Gospel highlights the response of belief or unbelief among Jesus’ contemporaries. In John 11:45–53, the miracle’s aftermath directly triggers the Jewish leaders’ intensified plans to arrest and kill Jesus. This dynamic is pivotal to John’s unfolding narrative of escalating conflict.

Manuscript Reliability and Early Witnesses

Ancient fragments such as Papyrus 66 (P66) and Papyrus 75 (P75), dating as early as the late second to mid-third century, contain portions of John’s Gospel, offering strong manuscript evidence for the authenticity of John 11. These papyri reflect a remarkably consistent text that is substantively the same as that found in later, more complete manuscripts like Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus (fourth century). The consistency of these manuscripts helps us trust that John’s unique inclusion of the raising of Lazarus has been faithfully preserved through centuries of transmission.

Church fathers, including Irenaeus (late second century), quote heavily from John, and while they did not cite every passage verbatim, their writings presuppose the integrity of John’s content. This orthodoxy of early Christian witness upholds the reliability and historicity of the events recorded in John 11.

Archaeological and Historical Corroborations

1. Bethany’s Geographical Setting: Archaeological surveys confirm that Bethany (modern-day Al-Eizariya) is indeed around two miles from Jerusalem (cf. John 11:18). The proximity to Jerusalem explains why the miracle quickly reached the ears of prominent religious authorities (John 11:46–47).

2. Burial Practices: The description of Lazarus being placed in a tomb (John 11:38) aligns with known first-century Judean burial customs that involved rock-cut tombs or caves sealed with a stone (Mark 15:46). These details match archaeological findings in the region, tying the narrative to actual cultural practices of first-century Judea.

3. Cultural Context: Mourning practices—such as those mentioned in John 11:19 for comforting Martha and Mary—are consistent with documented Jewish customs of extended lamentation and public grieving (cf. Jeremiah 9:17–18). Specific cultural references to professional mourners in some first-century contexts further align with the setting.

Reasons This Miracle Aligns with the Overall Witness to Christ

1. Demonstration of Divine Authority Over Life: Jesus’ statement, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25), encapsulates a foundational truth. The raising of Lazarus offers a public, verifiable act that prepares the way for understanding Jesus’ own resurrection. The message is clear: the Son of God holds power over both physical and spiritual death.

2. Foreshadowing Christ’s Resurrection: Scholars and theologians note that the public nature of Lazarus’s resurrection foreshadows the victory over the grave that Jesus Himself would shortly display (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). This event functions as a preview, revealing to the onlookers—and to readers of John’s Gospel—that death is not ultimate where Jesus is concerned.

3. Catalyst for the Final Conflict: According to John’s record, the religious leaders’ decision to arrest Jesus intensifies after the raising of Lazarus (John 11:53). This miracle serves as a final, undeniable sign that compels the authorities who oppose Jesus to act, paving the way for the legal and societal processes that lead to His crucifixion and subsequent resurrection (John 19–20).

Philosophical and Practical Insights

1. Consistency of Scriptural Themes: Throughout Scripture, God’s power over life is a recurring motif (Genesis 2:7; 2 Kings 4:32–37). The Gospel of John remains coherent with the broader biblical belief that God alone gives and restores life, and that in Jesus, this power resides in human form (Philippians 2:6–8).

2. Reliability for Faith and Practice: Those wrestling with the uniqueness of Lazarus’s miracle in John can find comfort in the historically and textually verified nature of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16). That one Gospel provides details not found in the others underscores the complementary nature of the four portraits of Jesus, rather than a contradiction.

3. Impact on Personal Faith: Many find encouragement in John 11 for personal and existential questions about suffering, death, and hope of new life. The text powerfully reminds readers, “If you believe, you will see the glory of God” (John 11:40). The theological significance carries a profound invitation to trust that Christ holds the final word on life and death.

Anecdotal and Practical Apologetics

1. Attestation to Jesus’ Divine Identity: Just as historical documents outside of Scripture (e.g., Josephus’ “Antiquities of the Jews” 18.3.3) affirm that Jesus performed extraordinary deeds, John 11 supplies an example that is both specific and verifiable through the eyewitnesses mentioned (John 11:45). The individuality—naming Lazarus, Martha, and Mary—invites scrutiny and supports the event’s historical credibility.

2. Consistent with Other Biblical Accounts of Resurrection Power: From Elijah’s miracles in the Old Testament (1 Kings 17:17–24) to the early church raising individuals from the dead (Acts 9:36–42; 20:9–12), the concept of resurrection is not isolated to one text. The Lazarus narrative harmonizes with the broader biblical presentation of God’s life-giving power.

3. Encouragement to Investigate Further: Early Christian leaders, such as Polycarp and Clement of Rome, championed the consistency of Gospel accounts. Modern textual scholarship (which includes the scrutiny of fragments like P66 and P75) corroborates that the miraculous accounts have been passed down reliably. Those curious about this unique story are encouraged to examine the archaeological, manuscript, and historical data for themselves.

The Continuity of God’s Miraculous Intervention

In discussions of miracles, including raising the dead, critics often argue these claims are scientifically untenable. However, the biblical worldview consistently presents a Creator who is sovereign over natural laws. The entire creation itself, Scripture asserts (Genesis 1:1), is a miraculous act of an intelligent Designer. From a historical and theological standpoint, the consistency seen in biblical manuscripts and the documented testimonies of Jesus’ miraculous deeds suggest a cohesive narrative rather than a patchwork of late or fabricated stories.

Conclusion

The raising of Lazarus appears only in John 11 for profound theological and narrative reasons. John, under divine inspiration, selects this miracle as a crucial sign that highlights Jesus’ identity as the “resurrection and the life.” By placing this event at the core of his account, John underscores the climactic revelation of Christ’s power over death, foreshadows His own resurrection, and sets the stage for the decisive opposition leading to the crucifixion.

The absence of Lazarus’s raising from the Synoptic Gospels need not cast doubt on its authenticity. These Gospels selectively include episodes that advance their own Holy Spirit–guided emphases, whereas John’s emphasis frames this miracle as the ultimate demonstration of Jesus’ divine authority. Extensive early manuscript evidence, coherence with first-century cultural and archaeological data, and internal thematic consistency across the Gospels further support John’s unique inclusion of the miracle in Bethany.

“Therefore many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in Him” (John 11:45). This testimony continues to call readers to acknowledge that Christ wields authority over death and offers life to those who believe.