The Astonishing Science of Lazarus
By Dr. Robert Seemuth – Director of Baby Life Begins
Jesus has stone rolled away | “Lazarus, come out!” | Jesus and Lazarus talk *Photo credits: The Chosen, Season 4, Episode 7
A Miracle So Real His Enemies Wanted Him Dead
Imagine a tomb sealed shut, a man inside dead for four days— his body decayed. In Jewish culture, a spirit might hover near the body for three days and possibly return. But on day four? No chance. Death was absolute. Yet Jesus waited—deliberately—before heading to Lazarus (John 11:6). Why four days? It is strongly suggested to prove that He, the Creator of the universe, could shatter that Jewish tradition limit, rebuilding a man from death to life. When Lazarus walked out, whole and himself, even his enemies couldn’t deny it—and it upset them so much they planned to kill him.
The restoration of a decayed body defies natural laws. Let’s explore this breathtaking feat and the shockwaves it sent through Jerusalem.
Four Days: Beyond Hope, Into Proof
In Jewish tradition, the fourth day after someone died marked where they believed the spirit departed, and the body was now lost. It is strongly suggested that Jesus purposefully stayed back because He knew this. He waited to do the impossible: resurrect a man so far gone that only the Creator could intervene. His call—“Lazarus, come out!” (John 11:43)—proved it. Jesus told His disciples, “This illness… is for God’s glory…” (John 11:4).
A Body in Ruin: Biology Matters
A significant portion of Lazarus’ 37 trillion cells are in advanced decomposition. Neurons were eradicated, blood thickened into sludge, lungs deflated, 11 organ systems had collapsed, and bacteria gnawed at his flesh. Also, severe bloating, a foul stench, insects swarming, skin mottled with discoloration, and tissues melting into a soupy mess occur. Internal organs liquefy as enzymes and bacteria feast. The functionality of Lazarus’ biology is destroyed! Organic chemistry has been so altered to prohibit reforming human biology!* To resurrect Lazarus, Jesus knew this required a total rebuild beyond anything humanly capable.
A Body Rebuilt: Trillions of Pieces Perfectly Placed
By day four, his 86 billion neurons and 150 trillion synapses—his mind’s map—were mush. His heart, lungs, and 60,000 miles of vessels are no longer functioning and recognizable as they once were in their living state. Then, in a flash, they came back to life. 37 quadrillion mitochondria powerhouses are remade, rebooted, and perfectly put back into place in each cell. The same is true with trillions of blood cells. Lungs were rebuilt with 480 million air sacs, now breathing, and 222 quintillion DNA base pairs were created again, still as the unique, one and only Lazarus. This wasn’t a shell; it was Lazarus—rebuilt from decaying flesh in an instant.
Enemies Shaken: Plots Hatched
In response to Jesus calling him, Lazarus came out of the tomb alive and in his grave clothes (John 11:44). The crowd saw him and many “put their faith in [Jesus]” (John 11:45). While the chief priests or Pharisees weren’t named as being physically present, they were quickly informed by eyewitnesses who saw Lazarus come out of the tomb. This angered the Chief Priests, so they planned to kill Lazarus (John 12:2-9). Lazarus’ life was the living testimony of Jesus’ miraculous power
What Happened Next?
After raising Lazareth f—rom the dead, Jesus had dinner with Lazarus and the family in Bethany. This happened six days before the Passover. The next day, Jesus made His triumphant entry into Jerusalem on a donkey with the crowd spreading palm branches. Most of Jerusalem knew about Jesus raising Lazareth from the dead.
What Do You Think?
37 trillion cells don’t reassemble, and 150 trillion synapses don’t rewire by chance—not in 320,000 years, let alone in an instant. Science can’t grasp that in a moment a dead man lived again; the numbers only amplify the miracle of truth too big to bury.
Does Lazarus’s story amaze or shock you, as it did them? Does Jesus, the Creator of the universe and sustainer of each life, with the raising of Lazarus, prove beyond doubt who He is? If not, isn’t it worthy of reconsideration?
Now, do you feel that amazement and think of the Creator when you think of the preborn?
* Sources available upon request
*Everyone’s chemical reactions, functions, 4000 body parts, and 11 organ systems began as a zygote, and by birth, 100 billion neurons are in the brain, hundreds of trillions of synapses, and 2 trillion cells are ready for growth in a new environment outside the womb.
