Summarized

The provided text, a transcript of a lecture titled "Who Was Lazarus?", delves into the character of Lazarus within the New Testament, primarily focusing on his portrayal in the Gospel of John. The speaker highlights that the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead is a dramatic and pivotal miracle in John's Gospel, even leading to Jesus's arrest and execution due to the increased belief in him.

The lecture then explores the historical context of the Gospel of John, explaining that it was written much later than the other synoptic gospels (Mark, Matthew, and Luke) and reflects a later theological understanding of Jesus, rather than a historical account. It discusses the inconsistencies between the Gospel of John and the Synoptics regarding the anointing of Jesus's feet and the character of Mary Magdalene.

A significant portion of the lecture is dedicated to the textual evolution of the Gospel of John. It introduces the "Signs Gospel" as a hypothetical early source text that contained seven "signs" or miracles performed by Jesus, including the raising of Lazarus. This Signs Gospel was then expanded and revised by two subsequent authors/editors, referred to as John 1 (who espoused a spiritualized eschatology) and John 2 (who re-emphasized a literal second coming and physical practices). The lecture points out the "seams" in the text, such as two distinct endings, as evidence of these multiple editorial layers.

The anonymity of the "beloved disciple" in the Gospel of John is discussed, with possibilities ranging from a historical figure to a metaphorical representation of the reader. The lecturer also presents the intriguing, albeit speculative, theory that Lazarus himself could be the beloved disciple, citing instances where Jesus's love for Lazarus is emphasized.

The lecture then compares the Lazarus story in John with the parable of Lazarus the beggar in Luke, noting the shared name but distinct characters and circumstances. It also touches upon the lack of mention of Lazarus in Mark and Matthew, suggesting that the story may have been unknown to their authors.

A highly controversial and disputed theory regarding the "Secret Gospel of Mark" is introduced. If genuine, this lost ancient source would include a version of the Lazarus story that equates him with the young man who flees naked in canonical Mark, and it also contains parallels to ancient Egyptian resurrection myths, particularly that of Osiris. The speaker highlights remarkable similarities between the Lazarus story and the Osiris myth, including shared narrative elements and potential linguistic connections between "Lazarus of Bethany" and "Osiris of Anu."

Finally, the lecture explores the broader context of resurrection beliefs. It notes that resurrection was not a prominent belief in early Old Testament Judaism or Greek philosophy, but was significant in other religions like Zoroastrianism and Egyptian religion. The lecture concludes by discussing the theological interpretations of the Lazarus story, contrasting the literal apocalyptic views of some early Christians with the spiritualized interpretation of John 1, who saw eternal life as a present reality through faith in Jesus. The speaker also addresses several audience questions regarding scribal influence, the concept of "born again," and the historical basis of the Lazarus story.