Perhaps the classical ideal of friendship, with its emphasis on conventional (and mainly masculine) virtues, was too narrow for a community that fostered universal fellow feeling among believers, or too secular. The Gospels speak of a “friend of sinners” ( Matt 11:19, Luke 7:34), but philos may also be used of ordinary friends, especially in parables (e.g., Luke 11:5). Yet the word is found only once in the New Testament, at Jas 4:4: “friendship with the world is enmity with God.” In turn, philos, or “friend,” occurs relatively rarely (29 times). In classical Greek, the noun philia is the broadest term for “love” (but not in the erotic sense), and when the affection is mutual between two people (most often males) it is regularly translated as “friendship.” Friendship was hugely important in classical society: Aristotle devoted fully one-fifth of his treatise on ethics to philia. Leaving these questions to the theologians, we may ask how Jesus’ feelings for Lazarus reflected attitudes toward friendship in Jesus’ own time. The Church Fathers and scholars since have wondered whether Jesus experienced genuine grief or a simulation of it-or perhaps both, since he was human and divine. When he becomes aware of Lazarus’s death, Jesus is deeply troubled, as any friend would be, to the point of weeping yet he soon brings him back to life. Yet he then leaves for Jerusalem, though he knows that Lazarus will die, because Lazarus’s death and resurrection will enhance God’s glory. When he learns that Lazarus is ill, Jesus stays in Bethany two extra days out of affection for him. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’ģ0 “The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’ģ1 “But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.Was Lazarus Jesus’ friend? Jesus’ love for Lazarus is a familiar human sentiment. 28 For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’Ģ9 “But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’Ģ7 “Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. 26 And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. I am in anguish in these flames.’Ģ5 “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.Ģ4 “The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and he went to the place of the dead. 21 As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.Ģ2 “Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. 20 At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. 19 Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury.
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