The dramatic irony in the story of the raising of Lazarus

[tonychanyt]

Jesus told his disciples concerning Lazarus in John 11:

4 "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it."

But then Lazarus physically died. How would this work out? That's the irresistible story.

Jesus and his disciples set out to see Lazarus, John 11:

21 "Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died."

This sentiment was reinforced in 11 verses later by Martha's sister:

32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."

The repetition thickens the plot so that the readers will agree with Mary and Martha's mindset: Lord, if you had been here, their brother would not have died. Yes, Lord, you should have come earlier. Why didn't you?

Of course, the dramatic irony here is that the readers also knew earlier that somehow Lazarus would not end in death, but neither Mary nor Martha knew that.

The questions in the minds of the readers are

1. How will the irony unveil itself?
2. Will Mary and Martha believe in the words of the Lord?
3. How will Lazarus play it out?

The climax came in John 11:

43 Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!"
44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."

From the story-telling perspective, John has successfully written a compelling account of the story of "The Rising Lazarus". The readers are convinced of the power and the glory of Jesus Christ.

I would love to hear a professional storyteller telling this story to some young teenagers and see their reactions.

BTW, people often tell the joke that good thing Jesus had explicitly pointed out 'Lazarus' in "Lazarus, come out!". Otherwise, pandemonium would break out on the scene

 

[BobRyan]

John 11:
11 These things He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.”
12 Then His disciples said, “Lord, if he sleeps he will get well.” 13 However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep.

14 Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. 15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him.”

16 Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.”
17 So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. 19 And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. 21 Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.”

23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
24 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”